PREVALENCE OF HYPERTENSION AND ITS RISK FACTORS AMONG INTER-STATE COMMERCIAL DRIVERS IN JABI PARK, ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Hypertension is a leading cause of adult mortality globally and the incidences as well as its complications are on the increase in Nigeria. In many instances, it goes undetected in sufferers and may lead to cerebro-vascular accident (CVA) while driving; a human factor of road traffic accidents in Nigeria. High rate of road traffic accidents is a major public health concern in Nigeria with associated high disability and mortality. However, hypertension among commercial drivers has not been adequately studied. Thus, this study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among the inter-state commercial drivers in Jabi Park, Abuja. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 398 inter-state commercial drivers selected using systematic sampling technique from a list of registered drivers at Jabi Park in Abuja. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on respondents' socio-demographic characteristics, driving frequency, physical activity, dietary habit, tobacco-use, vision, alcohol consumption and periodic health checks. Respondents' blood pressure, waist circumference, hip circumference, body weight and height were measured. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140mmHg and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg. Waist-to-hip ratio (MHR) was classified as <0.85=low, 0.85 to < 0.90 = normal, > 0.90 to ≤ 0.95 =high, >0.95=obese, while Body Mass index(BM) (kg/m²) was classified as under eight (<18), normal (18-<25), overweight (≥25-29.9) and obese (≥30), respectively. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to determine cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi square and logistic regression at p=0.05. Respondents' mean age was 39.0±10.0 years and all were males. Majority, (80.2%) were married and 46.0% had secondary education. About 43.0% drove for more than eight hours per day, 26.9% drove at least three days per week at more than eight hours per day, 35.0% used alcohol, 68.7% fed on carbohydrate meal per day, 94.3% fed on at least one egg weekly, 90.3% fed on fried meal daily and 22% smoked cigarette. Vision impairment was found among 38.5% and 51% reported engagement in physical activities. About 46.7% had never gone for any health checkup in their life time. Based on BMI and WHR measurements, 18.4% and 24.7% were obese respectively. Prevalence of hypercholestrolemia was 34.4%; hypertriglycridemia, 46.0%; high density lipoproteinemia, 18.0%; low density lipoproteinemia, 42.0% and hyperglycaemia was 9.9%. Prevalence of hypertension was nine percent (9%). Hypertension was found among 51% of those with hyperglycaemia, 19.9% were obese, just above two percent (2.3%) were smokers and almost four percent (3.9%) of those who took alcohol. There was positive correlation between blood pressure among new cases of hypertension and BMI (r =0.8). Obesity (AOR=6.2; CI=1.9-20.7), family history of hypertension (AOR=4.1; CI=1.9-8.0) and hypercholesterolemia (AOR=4.0: CI=1.2-13.2) significantly predicted occurrence of hypertension. There was a high prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among commercial drivers in Jabi park. Health awareness campaign should be encouraged to control hypertension and its risk factors. Regular screening programme will help in early detection of hypertension among commercial drivers.