Barriers and facilitators for implementing NCD-related health promotion activities in the workplace: A scoping review

Abstract Background Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are significant global health issues that are mostly caused by lifestyle choices, many of which may be prevented. Workplace health promotion (WHP) programs provide a strategic environment to lower the risk of NCDs by using target specific approach. The purpose of this scoping review is to investigate the barriers and facilitators for implementation of WHP initiatives focussing on reducing the risk of NCDs. Methods This scoping review adheres to the PRISMA-ScR standards. PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and CINAHL were searched for articles in English from 2014 to 2024. Studies focusing on WHP initiatives targeting NCDs and identifying barriers and facilitators were included, regardless of research design. The data extraction process captures study characteristics, program details, barriers, enablers, and participation factors. The quality of included studies was assessed using the JBI and MMAT tools. Results After screening and risk of bias assessment, 16 studies were included in this review. The aspects influencing the execution and participation in WHP programs were divided into three categories: organization, individual, and program-level. Costs, workload, conflicting priorities, scheduling problems, organizational culture, and employee knowledge are common implementation barriers. Several studies found that senior management support, the prioritization of health initiatives, employee-employer engagement, and alignment with workplace values, resource accessibility and adequate staffing are facilitators that support implementation. Conclusion To make WHP programs more effective, both organizations and individuals need to work on removing barriers and improving facilitators. Organizations should establish supportive structure, align health initiatives with their values and customize activities to meet the needs of employees, while also increasing awareness and reducing stigma among employees.