PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AND OBESITY AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS IN KADUNA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Hypertension has become a major public health problem, being documented as a threat to the health of people in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA), including Nigeria. Obesity has been associated with hypertension and other non-communicable diseases, (NCDs). Public servants by virtue of their work and possible sedentary lifestyle may be at risk of hypertension and obesity. Despite the fact that probability of death from hypertension and other chronic disease is higher in sSA than in the developed world, significant knowledge gaps exist on the risk factors of specific population groups due to a lack of adequate data on the burden of risk factors related to these NCDs. This study was therefore designed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and obesity and their risk factors among public servants in Kaduna. The study is a cross-sectional survey of 801 civil servants selected by two-stage sampling of ten out of 22 ministries within the state secretariat. All consenting workers in the selected ministries were interviewed using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Information collected includes respondents` socio-demographics, behavioural factors, physical activity, dietary habit, tobacco-use and alcohol consumption. Respondents' blood pressure (mmHg) was measured using the mercury sphygmomanometer. Body weight (kg) and height (m) were also measured and Body Mass index (BMI) was calculated. Behavioural risk factors were assessed using the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control chronic disease indicators, while overweight and obesity were defined as BMI of 25.0-29.9 kg/m² and ≥30 kg/m², respectively. Unhealthy diets were defined as absence of fruits and vegetables in daily diet, while hypertension was defined as Blood Pressure (BP) ≥140/90 mmHg. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression, with level of significance set at p ≤0.05. Respondents' age was 43.2±9.0 years, and males were 62.2%. Majority (80.0%) were married, and 72.0% were senior staff. Prevalence of hypertension, overweight and obesity were 29.2%, 35.3% and 27.0% respectively. Prevalent risk factors for hypertension and obesity were physical inactivity (76.9 and 73.4%), unhealthy diet (89.3 and 90.2%) and cigarette smoking (3.4 and 3.4%), respectively. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among the senior cadre than the junior cadre (68.6% versus 54.4%), also among the physically inactive than active (65.0% versus 53.5%). Female respondents were four times more likely to be overweight or obese than males (AOR=3.7 CI (2.5-5.4). A higher proportion of older respondents (≥ 40 years) had elevated BP compared with the younger respondents (38.6% versus 11.3%). Civil servants aged 40-49 years and those within 50-59 years were at significantly higher risk of elevated BP compared with those aged 20-29 years [AOR = 5.6 CI (1.8-17.2) and AOR = 7.4 CI (2.4.22.9) respectively]. Hypertension was twice more prevalent among the overweight and obese (37.3% versus 16.0%) compared with those with normal range BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m²). Hypertension and obesity with their behavioural risk factors were prevalent among civil servants in Kaduna. Awareness campaigns on benefits of regular physical exercise, healthy eating and cessation of cigarette smoking should be conducted. Provision of accessible sporting facilities at the work place should be instituted by the government.