Open Journal of Applied Sciences, 2019, 9, 126-137
http://www.scirp.org/journal/ojapps
ISSN Online: 2165-3925
ISSN Print: 2165-3917
DOI: 10.4236/ojapps.2019.93012 Mar. 29, 2019 126 Open Journal of Applied Sciences
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hypertension,
Diabetes and Obesity among Lecturers and
Support Staff of Bishop Stuart University in
Mbarara, Uganda
Jordan Amanyire
1
, Mathias Tumwebaze
1*
, Mauda Kamatenesi Mugisha
1
, Labani Waswa Bright
2
1
Department of Public Health, Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara, Uganda
2
Medical Research Council (MRC), Entebbe, Uganda
Abstract
Aim: To establish the prevalence and risk factors for hypertension, diabetes
and obesity among teaching and non-teaching staff of Bishop Stuart Univer-
sity, Mbarara-Uganda. Background: None communicable diseases (NCDs)
are projected to exceed communicable diseases as the most common causes of
death by 2030 in Africa. Most sub-Saharan African countries however lack
detailed countrywide data on hypertension and other NCDs risk factors.
Cognizant of Uganda’s recent inclusion of Hypertension and diabetes in the
health policy agenda, this study was conducted among the university staff in a
rural setting to provide benchmark information for design of appropriate in-
terventions. Study Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional, institution-
al based survey design. Place and duration of the study: This study was
conducted among the teaching and none teaching staff of Bishop Stuart Uni-
versity Mbarara, Uganda from 18th April-6
th
June 2017. Methodology: A
structured questionnaire was used to gather social demographic and risk fac-
tors data from the university workers at their work stations. Blood pressure of
each participant was measured and Hypertension was defined as systolic BP >
140 and/or diastolic (BP) > 90 mmHg. Anthropometric measurements:
Body Mass index (BMI) was done by weight in (Kg) and Height in (M
2
) to
establish weight levels. Obesity was considered at BMI > 40. A random Blood
Sugar (RBS) > 200 mg/dl was considered as diabetic. Epi-info version 7 was
used to enter data, analyzed using SPSS version 19. Results: A total of 156
University staff aged 25 - 75 years of both sexes, mean age 42 ± 8 were inter-
viewed of whom 51% were males. About 15% were administrative staff, 55%
teaching staff, 3% senior lecturers and professors and 25% non-teaching staff.
How to cite this paper: Amanyire, J.,
Tumwebaze, M., Mugisha, M.K. and
Bright, L.W. (2019) Prevalence and Risk
Factors for Hypertension, Diabetes and
Obesity among Lecturers and Support Staff
of Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara,
Uganda. Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
9, 126-137.
https://doi.org/10.4236/ojapps.2019.93012
Received: January 28, 2019
Accepted: March 26, 2019
Published: March 29, 2019
Copyright © 2019 by author(s) and
Scientific Research Publishing Inc.
This work is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution International
License (CC BY 4.0).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Open Access