Investigating the Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hypertension, Diabetes and Obesity among Lecturers and Support Staff of Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara, Uganda

Aim: To establish the prevalence and risk factors for hypertension, diabetes and obesity among
teaching and non-teaching staff of Bishop Stuart University Mbarara-Uganda.
Background: Diabetes, hypertension and obesity are among the Non-Communicable Diseases
(NCDs) affecting the developed and the developing world. These conditions are often associated with
older age groups, but evidence shows that 15 million of all deaths attributed to NCDs occur between
the ages of 30 and 69 years. Cognizant of Uganda’s recent inclusion of Hypertension and diabetes in
the health policy agenda, this study was conducted among the university staff in a rural setting to
provide benchmark information for design of appropriate interventions.
Study Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional, institutional based survey design.
Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted among the teaching and none teaching
staff of Bishop Stuart University Mbarara, Uganda from 18th April – 6th June 2017.
Methodology: A structured questionnaire was used to gather social demographic and risk factors
data from the university workers at their work stations. Blood pressure of each participant was
measured and Hypertension was defined as systolic BP>140 and/or diastolic (BP) >90 mmHg.
Anthropometric measurements (Body Mass index (BMI) was done by weight in (Kg) and Height in
(M2) to establish weight levels. Obesity was considered at BMI >40. A random Blood Sugar (RBS) >
200 mg/dl was considered as diabetic. Epi-info version 7 was used to enter data, analyzed using
SPSS version 19.
Results: A total of 156 University staff aged 25-75 years of both sexes, mean age 42±8 were
interviewed of whom 51% were males. About 15% were administrative staff, 55% teaching staff, 3%
senior lecturers and professors and 25% non-teaching staff. Prevalence of Hypertension, Diabetes,
and obesity were 7.7%, 16%, and 28% respectively. But also majority (60.2%) were found at risk of
developing both hypertension and diabetes. Less than 20% of the participants were knowledgeable
on causes, signs and symptoms and preventive measures for Hypertension but had moderate
knowledgeable of the risk factors, the most frequently mentioned risk by 71% was lack of exercise.
Despite the awareness of risk factors, majority (61.3%) had not done any form of exercise and 64.1%
had not had regular Blood presure check ups. The study also demonstrated a statistically significant
relationship between those aged more than 40 years and having hypertension (X2=5.82, P=0.015,
OR= 4.2). Likewise the risk of Diabetes increased with increasing age. lecturers aged 40 years and
above were 5.6 times likely to have diabetes compared to those aged less than 40 years (OR= 5.6, X2
=16, P=0.0005) . More than a third of the respondents. 57/156 (36.5%) reported history of HPT
among their family members. Prevalence of obesity and overweight was observed higher in senior
administrative staff and lecturers than in lower cadre staff 49% and 34%, p<0.01).
Conclusion: Hypertension, Diabetes and obesity are conditions prevalent among the teaching and
none teaching staff of BSU, but knowledge on risk factors, clinical presentation and preventive