Prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors among professional male long-distance bus drivers in Lagos, south-west Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundProfessional drivers are known to be at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study was carried out to highlight these risk factors and their predictors among male long–distance professional bus drivers in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, with a view to improving health awareness in this group.MethodsSocio–demographic data, anthropometric indices, blood pressure, fasting plasma blood glucose levels and lipid and physical activity profiles of 293 drivers were measured.ResultsMean age of the study population was 48 ± 9.7 years; 71.0 and 19.5% of the drivers used alcohol and were smokers, respectively; and 50.9% were physically inactive. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 41.7 and 21.1%, respectively, while 39.7 and 13.9% were hypertensive and diabetic, respectively. Ninety (31.3%) subjects had impaired fasting glucose levels while 56.3% had dyslipidaemia. Predictors of hypertension were age and body mass index (BMI). BMI only was a predictor of abnormal glucose profile.ConclusionProfessional male long–distance bus drivers in this study showed a high prevalence of a cluster of risk factors for CVD.

Selected Cardiometabolic Risk-factor Clusters of Urban Hypertensive Adults in Response to 72-hour ABU Radio Frequency Modulated (F.M.) Call for Free-medical Screening

“…Urbanization has been linked with sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity associated with advancement in technology, consequently leading to central obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes and or hypertension. [4][5][6]20,24,42 It has also been associated with nutritional transition to poor low fibre, refined sugary, high salt/cholesterol and energy-rich diets devoid of fruits and vegetables, consequently resulting in increased adiposity and thus cardiometabolic risks. [4][5][6][7]10,20 The findings here is of importance for public health intervention policies as it suggests that people of urban incline in the Northern region of the country have multiple risk factors for cardiometabolic disease and adverse cardiovascular outcome as against the previous thinking.…”

“…[4][5][6]20,24,42 It has also been associated with nutritional transition to poor low fibre, refined sugary, high salt/cholesterol and energy-rich diets devoid of fruits and vegetables, consequently resulting in increased adiposity and thus cardiometabolic risks. [4][5][6][7]10,20 The findings here is of importance for public health intervention policies as it suggests that people of urban incline in the Northern region of the country have multiple risk factors for cardiometabolic disease and adverse cardiovascular outcome as against the previous thinking. 20,24,45 More so, hypertensive subjects are more vulnerable to clusters of cardiometabolic risks such as obesity, diabetes and dyslipidaemia when compared to the general population which may contribute to poor blood pressure control, as observed in this study.…”

“…16,33 The reason for the high prevalence of central obesity may be attributed to lack of exercise culture especially in women who are known to gain weight following series of pregnancies and deliveries after which they fail to get rid of the accumulated abdominal fat after each delivery; 47 coupled with poor nutrition/unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyle, high socioeconomic status as well as high literacy level in both sexes. [4][5][6][7]47 Large population based studies have documented WC as a strong correlate of clinical outcome especially diabetes independent of BMI and remains a strong predictor of diabetes, coronary heart disease and increased mortality even following adjustment for BMI and other cardiometabolic risks. 48 Three mechanisms have been proposed to explain the relation of central obesity to cardiometabolic syndrome viz-a-viz: i) Insulin resistance associated with the hyperlipolytic state of omental adipose tissues with consequent high free fatty acid levels which is lipotoxic to the liver resulting in impaired hepatic metabolism and reduced insulin clearance.…”

“…3 Globally, there is a rising trend in cardiometabolic risk associated with increasing morbidity and mortality, more so in low-middle income countries like in the sub-Saharan Africa: Nigeria being the giant of Africa. 4 This is attributable to "Globalization and rapid urbanization" as the search for greener pastures and more enticing socio-economic opportunities rises as well as "Westernization" inclusive of poor dietary habits, excessive smoking, alcoholism, sedentary lifestyle/lack of physical activity and psychosocial stress. 4,5 Additionally, there is demographic transition associated with progressively ageing population in countries like Nigeria as well as epidemiologic transition as the battle against communicable diseases is competing with the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and CVD's.…”

“…4 This is attributable to "Globalization and rapid urbanization" as the search for greener pastures and more enticing socio-economic opportunities rises as well as "Westernization" inclusive of poor dietary habits, excessive smoking, alcoholism, sedentary lifestyle/lack of physical activity and psychosocial stress. 4,5 Additionally, there is demographic transition associated with progressively ageing population in countries like Nigeria as well as epidemiologic transition as the battle against communicable diseases is competing with the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and CVD's. 6,7 Consequently, the emergence of these cardiometabolic risk factors and its attendant increased morbidity and mortality is a cause for alarm as it poses significant health-care burden in Nigeria.…”