Prevalence and lifestyle-related risk factors of obesity and unrecognized hypertension among bus drivers in Ghana. Issue 1 (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anto, Enoch Odame; Owiredu, W.K.B.A.; Adua, Eric; Obirikorang, Christian; Fondjo, Linda Ahenkorah; Annani-Akollor, Max Efui; Acheampong, Emmanuel; Asamoah, Evans Adu; Roberts, Peter; Wang, Wei; Donkor, Sampson
• Is Part Of: Heliyon. Volume 6:Issue 1(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Biological sciences -- Biochemistry -- Molecular biology -- Health sciences -- Clinical research -- Public health -- Obesity -- Unrecognized hypertension -- Lifestyle-related factors -- Inter-regional -- Bus drivers -- Ghana-Africa; Research -- Periodicals; Medical sciences -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 507.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e03147
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2405-8440

Abstract

Abstract: Obesity and hypertension are public health problems associated with cardiovascular events worldwide. Bus drivers, whose lifestyle is primarily sedentary and characterized by poor eating habits are at increased risk. This study determined the prevalence and lifestyle-related risk factors of obesity and hypertension among Inter-Regional Metromass Bus Drivers (IRMBDs) in Ghana. This cross-sectional study recruited 527 professional drivers from Metromass Bus stations in Accra and Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. Structured questionnaires were administered to obtain socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics from all participants. Anthropometric measurements including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and blood pressure (BP) were determined. The prevalence of unrecognized hypertension was 38.7%. The prevalence of obesity using BMI, WC, and WHR as obesity indices were 19.0%, 19.9%, and 19.4%, respectively. Use of sleep inhibitors, long-duration sitting and eating late at night were independent risk factors for obesity, regardless of the obesity index used ( p < 0.05). Physical inactivity, high caloric intake and eating at stressful periods were independent risk factors for obesity based on WC and WHR measurements ( p < 0.05). Ageing, smoking history, alcoholic beverage intake, sleep inhibitor drug use, high calorie intake, long-duration sitting, eating late and under stressful conditions were independent risk factors for hypertension ( p < 0.05). There is a high prevalence of unrecognized hypertension and obesity among IRMBDs which were associated with individual lifestyle and behaviours. Increased awareness through educational and screening programs will trigger lifestyle modifications that will reduce cardio-metabolic disease onset and offer clues for better disease predictive, preventive and personalized medicine. Abstract : Biological sciences; Biochemistry; Molecular biology; Health sciences; Clinical research; Public health; Obesity; Unrecognized hypertension; Lifestyle-related factors; Inter-regional; Bus drivers; Ghana-Africa