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CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA • Volume 28, No 6, November/December 2017
AFRICA
377
A survey of non-communicable diseases and their
risk factors among university employees: a single
institutional study
Emmanuel I Agaba, Maxwell O Akanbi, Patricia A Agaba, Amaka N Ocheke, Zumnan M Gimba,
Steve Daniyam, Edith N Okeke
Abstract
Background:
The incidence of non-communicable diseases
(NCDs) is rising globally, with its attendant morbidity and
mortality, especially in developing countries. This study evalu-
ated the prevalence of NCDs and their risk factors among
members of a university community.
Methods:
All employees of the university were invited to the
University health clinic for screening, using the World Health
Organisation’s STEPwise approach to NCDs.
Results:
A total of 883 (521; 59.0% males) employees with a
mean age of 44
±
10 years were studied. The median (IQR)
number of NCD risk factors was three (two to three) per partic-
ipant. The most common NCD risk factors were inadequate
intake of fruit and vegetables (94.6%; 95% CI: 92.8–95.9), phys-
ical inactivity (77.8%; 95% CI: 74.9–80.5%) and dyslipidaemia
(51.8%; 95% CI: 48.4–51.6%). Others included obesity (26.7%;
95% CI: 23.9–29.8%), alcohol use (24.0%; 95% CI: 21.3–27.0%)
and cigarette smoking (2.9%; 95% CI: 2.0–4.3). Hypertension
was the most common NCD (48.5%; 95% CI: 45.1–51.8%),
followed by chronic kidney disease (13.6%; 95% CI: 11.4–16.1)
and diabetes mellitus (8.0%; 95% CI: 6.4–10.1). There was no
gender-specific difference in the prevalence of NCDs.
Conclusion:
This study identified that NCDs and their modi-
fiable risk factors are highly prevalent in this community.
Workplace policy to support the adoption of healthy living
is needed.
Keywords:
diabetes mellitus, hypertension, non-communicable
disease, obesity, physical inactivity
Submitted 18/7/16, accepted 4/4/17
Published online 15/8/17
Cardiovasc J Afr
2017;
28
: 377–384
www.cvja.co.zaDOI: 10.5830/CVJA-2017-021
The incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rising
globally, with its attendant morbidity and mortality. NCDs
(particularly cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancers) were
responsible for 38 million (68%) of the world’s 56 million
deaths in 2012.
1
Studies have shown that early detection
and timely intervention can prevent further morbidity and
ultimately prolong life. Additionally, some risk factors for these
diseases, when identified, can be modified, thus preventing
their onset and progression. Developing countries are currently
witnessing an epidemic transition from communicable diseases
to non-communicable diseases.
1
Many individuals in these
countries are caught in this ‘epidemic transition of illnesses’ as a
result of lifestyle changes.
In Nigeria, the common NCDs include cardiovascular
disease, hypertension, diabetes and cancers.
2
Many studies have
documented the rising prevalence of NCDs among the general
population in Nigeria. Hypertension is said to affect 25 to 48%
of the adult population, while nearly 10% are diabetic,
1,6
and the
incidence of cancer is on the increase.
3,4
Recently, attention has focused on special populations, such
as healthcare providers, civil servants and bankers, as they are
thought to be among the relatively affluent in the community.
5-7
University employees over time have also become affluent
(personal communication) and therefore are also likely to be
at risk of NCDs due to changes in lifestyle and increasing
urbanisation. However, very few studies have addressed NCDs
among university employees in Nigeria.
8,9
The magnitude of
NCDs and their risk factors in this subset of the population
therefore largely remains unknown.
We embarked on this cross-sectional study to describe the
prevalence of selected NCDs and their risk factors among the
staff members of a university in north-central Nigeria. We
also used this project to sensitise the participants on NCDs,
as workplace interventions have been found to lead to health
promotion.
10
Methods
A cross-sectional study of adults, aged 18 years and over
employed in the University of Jos, was conducted over a four-
month period (February to June 2014). The study was resident
at the university health centre.
Department of Medicine, University of Jos, Nigeria
Emmanuel I Agaba, BM BCh, FWACP, FRCP,
eiagaba@gmail.comMaxwell O Akanbi, MB BS, FMCP, MSCI
Edith N Okeke, BM BCh, FWACP, FRCP
Department of Family Medicine, University of Jos, Nigeria
Patricia A Agaba, BM BCh, FWACP, FMCFM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of
Jos, Nigeria
Amaka N Ocheke, MB BS, FWACS
Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital,
Nigeria
Zumnan M Gimba, MB BS, FWACP
University Health Centre, University of Jos, Nigeria
Steve Daniyam, BM BCh