Research Article - Journal of Public Health Policy and Planning (2020) Volume 4, Issue 5

The prevalence and predictors of undiagnosed hypertension among commercial long-distance bus drivers (CLDBs) in cape coast, ghana.

Introduction: Hypertension is a public health issue globally and contributes substantially to mortality. The risk factors are numerous and can be modifiable and non-modifiable. This study assessed the occupational, lifestyle, and anthropometric determinants of hypertension among Commercial Long-Distance Bus Drivers (CLDBDs) in Cape Coast, Ghana. Methods: The study was cross-sectional in design and involved 170 CLDBDs from five Ghana Private Road Transport Union bus stations in Cape Coast. The socio-demographic, occupational, lifestyle, and anthropometric data were collected. We calculated the years of driving a commercial vehicle for occupational factors while we computed alcohol intake and physical activity levels for lifestyle factors. Percent body fat (% BF) and Body Mass Index (BMI) in kg/m2 were used to evaluate adiposity. Blood pressure (mmHg) was measured to determine hypertension levels. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 48.78 ± 8.26 years. Mean % BF was 20.5 ± 7.7% and mean BMI of 25.4 ± 4.2 Kg/m2. Hypertension prevalence was 21.2%. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 36.5% and 14.2%, respectively. About 51.8% had been driving commercial vehicles for over 18 years, 45.9% took alcohol, 35.9% had high % BF and 19.2% very high % BF. There is a significant difference in systolic blood pressure (P<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (P<0.001) between the age groups. The years of driving a commercial vehicle showed a significant difference in high systolic pressure (P<0.001) and high diastolic pressure (P<0.001). Those who used alcohol had a statistical significant difference (P=0.02) in systolic blood pressure. Age of drivers, BMI, %BF and alcohol intake predicted hypertension development. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of hypertension among the study participants since one-in-five had hypertension. Lifestyle, occupational, and body composition factors predicted the likelihood of hypertension.

Author(s): Jacob Setorglo*, Amoabeng Abban, Matilda Steiner-Asiedu, Philip Narteh Gorleku, Godfred Egbi, Christiana Nsiah-Asamoah

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