Magnitude of hypertension and its association with obesity among employees of Wallaga University, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the magnitude of hypertension, its association with obesity and the associated factors among employees of Wallaga University, Ethiopia.Design, setting and participantsThis institution-based cross-sectional study was employed among 588 employees of the university. Respondents were selected by stratified random sampling technique and interviewed with the aid of a structured questionnaire.The main outcome measuredHypertension and obesity were measured using WHO Stepwise approach and recommendations. We used a stratified random sampling technique to select 588 employees of the university from 3 August 2021 to 15 October 2021. A structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were used for data collection. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors independently associated with hypertension. A p value less than or equal to 0.05 and its 95% confidence level was used to declare the statistical significance.ResultsA total of 578 participants consented and completed the study, giving a response rate of 98.3%. The mean age of the respondents was 31.78 years with SD of 5.4. The overall prevalence of hypertension, general obesity and central obesity was 14.4% (95% CI 11.6% to 17.5%), 31.3% (95% CI 27.6% to 35.3%) and 37% (95% CI 33.1% to 41.1%), respectively. Obesity was significantly associated with hypertension (adjusted OR (AOR): 6.3; 95% CI 2.60 to 8.19). Age range from 35 to 46 (AOR 7.01; 95% CI 1.56 to 31.74), age ≥46 years (AOR 8.45; 95% CI 1.14 to 62.04), being non-academic staff (AOR 2.74; 95% CI 1.56 to 4.81), having additional income (AOR 2.48; 95% CI 1.08 to 5.70), physical inactivity (AOR 2.36; 95% CI 1.44 to 3.88) and poor practice of dietary salt consumption (AOR 1.65; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.87) were factors associated with hypertension.ConclusionOne in seven, more than two in seven and nearly two in six of the employees of Wallaga University were hypertensive, centrally obese and generally obese, respectively. There was a positive association between obesity and hypertension. Comprehensive awareness creation and devising workplace intervention strategies are highly recommended to reduce the hypertension burden and associated obesity.

Prevalence of Risk Factors for Hypertension Among Faculty at an Urban University in Uganda

“…In Ethiopia, it was found that whereas 14.4% of university employees have hypertension, 31.4% have general obesity and 37% have truncal obesity. 9 Another study conducted among staff of a tertiary teaching institution in Nigeria indicated that over one half of university staff are overweight with obesity prevalent at 23.5%. 10 …”

“…Lifestyle choices such as excessive dietary sodium consumption, inadequate physical exercise, low dietary composition of fruits and vegetables, as well as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption 9 , 15–17 are factors that if identified early enough, can be acted upon through secondary prevention to reduce the risk of either developing hypertension or promoting optimal control of blood pressures among hypertensive patients.…”

“…8 In Ethiopia, it was found that whereas 14.4% of university employees have hypertension, 31.4% have general obesity and 37% have truncal obesity. 9 Another study conducted among staff of a tertiary teaching institution in Nigeria indicated that over one half of university staff are overweight with obesity prevalent at 23.5%. 10 Whereas there are many reasons to explain the surge in hypertension, factors such as high body mass indices and obesity have been associated with increased risk for adverse cardiovascular events and decreased cardiac functioning.…”

“…11 In Western Uganda and West Africa, a sedentary lifestyle is one of the risk factors for developing hypertension 12,13 and it has been identified as a precursor for modifiable risk factors such as overweight and obesity. 14 Lifestyle choices such as excessive dietary sodium consumption, inadequate physical exercise, low dietary composition of fruits and vegetables, as well as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption 9,[15][16][17] are factors that if identified early enough, can be acted upon through secondary prevention to reduce the risk of either developing hypertension or promoting optimal control of blood pressures among hypertensive patients.…”