Abstract
BackgroundThe job one does for a living may increase ones propensity to cardiovascular diseases due to many associated risk factors. University staff may be at high risk of dyslipidaemia, a major cardiovascular disease risk factor. This study assessed prevalence of dyslipidaemia and its associated factors among the staff of University of Nigeria, Nsukka campus, Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 386 workers selected through a 4-stage sampling technique was conducted. Data were obtained through questionnaire and lipid profile determination. Bivariate analysis using Cochran and Mantel-Haenszel test was used to determine associations between dyslipidaemia and selected variables. Odds ratios and significance at p < 0.05 were reported.ResultsRespondents who were 46 years and above accounted for 51.3 % while 95.3 % had tertiary education. Administrative/technical staff were 76.4 % while academic staff were only 23.6 %; 73.8 % were senior staff and 26.2 % were junior staff. More than half (60.4 %) consumed alcohol above recommendation. Lipid biomarkers of the workers were not sex dependent (p > 0.05). Few (23.4 and 6.5 %) of the respondents had borderline high and high total cholesterol values, respectively. Whereas none (0.0 %) had low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), borderline low values were observed among 1.3 %. High low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) affected 1.3 %. Triglyceride was high among 3.9 %; 20.8 % had high atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and 2.6 % had impaired fasting blood glucose (IFBG). Dyslipidaemia had a prevalence of 54.5 % with female dominance. Hypercholesterolemia with high LDL-c was the commonest combined dyslipidaemia observed (7.8 %). Dyslipidaemia was dependent on hypercholesterolemia (OR = 0.352, 95 % C.I.=0.245–0.505), high LDL-c (OR = 0.462, 95 % C.I.=0.355-0.600) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 0.462, 95 % C.I.=0.355-0.600). Alcohol intake above normal was associated with almost 6 times higher risk of dyslipidaemia (OR = 5.625, 95 % C.I.=1.062–29.799).ConclusionsDyslipidaemia is a problem among the workers with hypercholesterolemia in combination with high LDL-c and hypertriglyceridemia compounding the problem. Nutrition education and physical activity are advocated to prevent cardiovascular events among the university staff.
Highlights
The job one does for a living may increase ones propensity to cardiovascular diseases due to many associated risk factors
Dyslipidaemia is an asymptomatic key independent modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor described as a group of metabolic disorders characterized by any or a combination of raised total cholesterol (TC), raised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), raised triglycerides (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) that often leads to a persistent increase in the plasma concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides [1]
Dyslipidaemia, which is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for many chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) especially CVDs was present among a high proportion of the respondents
Summary
The job one does for a living may increase ones propensity to cardiovascular diseases due to many associated risk factors. University staff may be at high risk of dyslipidaemia, a major cardiovascular disease risk factor. Dyslipidaemia is an asymptomatic key independent modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor described as a group of metabolic disorders characterized by any or a combination of raised total cholesterol (TC), raised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), raised triglycerides (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) that often leads to a persistent increase in the plasma concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides [1]. Work in rail road industry was a risk factor associated with high levels of low density lipoprotein especially among shift workers [6]. Kang et al [7] reported that work in companies and related job mental stress especially in the background of decision-making was related to high amount of blood cholesterol and triglycerides among the workers. Employed workers spend a quarter of their lives at work and the pressure and demands of work may affect their eating habits, lifestyle and activity patterns with serious harm to the overall health of the workers
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