Objective: To explore the experiences of British Columbia’s (BC’s) Public Health Inspectors in practicing health promotion.
Methods: We administered a mixed qualitative–quantitative survey to 15 BC Public Health Inspectors (in BC, titled Environmental Health Officers –
EHOs), selected to represent different levels of authority, areas of work and geographic regions. We queried whether and how they practice health
promotion, strategies utilized, how health promotion relates to their enforcement mandates, perceived effectiveness of health promotion, and barriers
and enabling factors affecting its adoption.
Results: Fourteen respondents (93%) practiced health promotion. Common practices included building healthy public policy, developing personal
skills, and creating environments that support health. Health promotion was most often applied as “ part of enforcement”; EHOs first attempted to
educate and create environments that support regulatory standards and best practices, utilizing enforcement measures should the former prove
ineffective. Enforcement was recognized as an important tool. Most respondents did not feel that their enforcement mandate limited their use of health
promotion; however barriers exist where the EHO is perceived unfavourably as an “enforcer”. The majority felt that an increased use of health
promotion would make their protection work more effective. Strategies to facilitate its application include practical training in implementation, clear
expectations and accountability at all levels of planning, resources, and relationships with stakeholders.
Conclusion: EHOs engage in a broad and varied health promotion practice. Practical training with a focus on health promotion implementation in the
BC context, and clear and consistent direction regarding expectations and accountability, would facilitate greater involvement.
Key words: Health promotion; environmental health; public health; allied health personnel; public health administration
La traduction du résumé se trouve à la fin de l’article.