Factors Associated with Hypertension and Predicted 10-year Cardiovascular Diseases Risk: A Cross-sectional Study of Commercial Vehicle Drivers in Calabar, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Over 85% of NCD-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), particularly Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where marked increases from preceding decades have been recorded. Physical inactivity and consumption of unhealthy diets are major precursors for hypertension, which has been reported as the most prevalent and important Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factor. There are several reports on increased prevalence of hypertension, physical inactivity, and consumption of unhealthy diets among commercial vehicle drivers.

AIMS: The study aimed to determine factors associated with hypertension and predict 10-year CVD risk in commercial vehicle drivers in Calabar, southern Nigeria.

METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional investigation of 380 commercial drivers, recruited using systematic sampling. Data were collected using an adapted World Health Organization STEP instrument. Binary logistic regression analysis was done at 5% significance level.

RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was approximately 40%. Age >44 years (odds ratio [OR] = 4.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9, 5.4), high body mass index (OR = 3.1, 95% CI 1.9, 5.3), years of professional driving (>5 years) (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.5, 3.0), and fasting blood sugar >7 mmol/L (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.5, 2.9) were associated with developing hypertension. The long-distance drivers had nearly two-fold increased odds (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.9, 2.7) of a 10-year CVD risk compared to the short-distance drivers.

CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of hypertension and a two-fold increase in the 10-year predicted risk of CVD events found among the study population necessitate frequent health awareness campaigns and periodic health screening among the higher-risk group. This will aid in the early detection of CVD risk factors and prompt treatment.