Social Dimensions of the Body: How Age, Gender, Educational Attainment, and Income Shape Physical Health Perceptions among Nurses

Abstract

The perceived physical health of nurses directly associates with the quality of care they provide and their long-term occupational sustainability. Prior studies have suggested potential links between perceived physical health and sociodemographic and structural variables. Thus, this study examines the association between age, gender, educational attainment, and personal income with perceived physical health among nurses working in public sector hospitals of Pakistan. Using a cross-sectional survey and quantitative research design, data were collected from nurses. SPSS was employed to perform statistical tests. Kruskal-Wallis H tests, Man Whitney U test, and post hoc tests of Bonferroni revealed significant differences in perceived physical health based on age, gender, educational attainment, and personal income. These findings suggest that personal income, gender, and educational achievement are potent factors in shaping nurses' perceived physical health. The study calls for policies and actions to protect and promote perceived physical health of nurses. These potential policy and action frameworks must be sensitive to social contexts and milieus of nurses.

Keywords: Age, Gender, Educational Attainment, Personal Income, Perceived Physical Health