Abstract

Commercial drivers are a ‘high-risk’ population where fitness on duty is important in enabling them to adequately respond to their job responsibilities. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among the interstate commercial drivers in Jabi Park, Abuja. A cross-sectional study with 389 inter-state commercial drivers at Jabi Park in Abuja was conducted. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, driving patterns, physical activity, dietary habit, tobacco-use, vision, alcohol consumption and practice of periodic health checks. Respondents’ blood pressure (BP), waist circumference, hip circumference, body weight and height were measured. Fasting blood samples were collected for cholesterol and blood glucose estimation. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi square and logistic regression at p<0.05. The prevalence of hypertension (BP>160/95 mmHg) was 9.0%. Hypertension was found among 19.9% of those obese. Ninety-nine percentage of the respondents had hyperglycaemia and of this 51.0% had hypertension. 2.3% of the respondents were smokers and 3.9% took alcohol. There was positive correlation between hypertension and body mass index (BMI; r = 0.8). Multivariate analysis, after controlling for age, revealed that obesity (BMI≥30 kg/m²) (AOR=6.2; 95%CI=1.9-20.7), Waist-hip ratio > 0.95 (AOR=6.4; 95%CI=1.5-27.0), family history of hypertension (AOR=4.1, 95%CI=1.9-8.0) and hypercholesterolemia (AOR=4.0; 95%CI=1.2-13.2) significantly predicted occurrence of hypertension. There is high prevalence of hypertension among commercial drivers in Jabi Park and this is attributed to lifestyle factors. Thus, workplace interventions to address the risk factors identified in this study are crucial for preventing mortality and morbidity due to hypertension.

Key words: Prevalence, risk factors, hypertension, commercial drivers, Abuja.