Prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among schoolteachers in Calabar, Nigeria: a cross‑sectional study

Abstract

Background: Africa has the highest prevalence of hypertension at 46%. Schoolteachers are vulnerable to hypertension due to work‑related and general risk factors. Identifying these factors is key to providing interventions.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among schoolteachers in Calabar, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross‑sectional study of 427 randomly selected schoolteachers who were recruited through a multistage sampling technique. Questionnaires were self‑administered, and blood pressure measurements were done. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with hypertension at a 5% significance level.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 38 ± 9 years, and 65% of them were females. The prevalence of hypertension was 32%. The adjusted model showed that age and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with hypertension. The teachers in the 30–39 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93–7.43, P = 0.07), 40–49 (aOR = 6.27, 95% CI: 2.08–18.91, P < 0.01), and ≥50 (aOR = 7.95, 95% CI: 2.24–28.20, P < 0.01) year age categories had increased odds of being hypertensive than those in the 20–29‑year‑old age group. Those who were overweight (aOR = 2.63, 95% CI: 1.52–4.57, P < 0.01) or obese (aOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.21–3.85, P = 0.01) had two‑fold increased odds of having hypertension compared with those who had normal weight.

Conclusions: Increasing age and BMI are risk factors for hypertension in this study. Health interventions should focus on weight control, especially among older teachers.