Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Assessment Among University Employees in India and Its Implications on Planning Worksite CVD Prevention and Health Promotion Interventions

TL;DR

This study finds that university employees in India have high CVD risk factors, highlighting the need for workplace health interventions.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into CVD risk factors among Indian university employees and identifies key sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.

Findings

42% of university employees had hypertension.

88% of employees had a clustering of ≥3 NCD risk factors.

Overweight/obesity was the most prominent risk factor (64%).

Abstract

Introduction: University employees worldwide have a relatively higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. However, in the Indian context, most University employees are not regularly screened for CVD risk factors. Against this background, a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hypertension and CVD risk factors among Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University employees in India.

Material and methods: This cross-sectional study included the university's teaching, administrative, and support staff (n=126). Data on physiological, anthropometric, worksite, and sociodemographic variables were collected using the WHO Stepwise approach to noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factor surveillance (STEPS) questionnaire. The chi-square/Fisher's exact test was used to test the association of employees' sociodemographics, work-related addictions, diet intake, exercise, and health-related characteristics with CVD risk. The univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis assessed the factors associated with CVD risk.

Results: The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 42%. There was a clustering of NCD risk factors (≥ 3 risk factors) in 88% (n=111) of employees. Overweight and obesity were the most prominent risk factors identified in 64% (n=81) of the employees, followed by family history of CVDs (62%, n=78), unhealthy dietary habits (61%, n=77), abdominal obesity (45%, n=57), and raised blood pressure (42%, n=53). Further, men's gender, age of more than 40 years, family structure, consumption of alcohol, smoking, higher monthly income, and academic and regular employment were the risk factors significantly associated with future CVD development risk.

Conclusion: University employees are prone to developing CVDs, and urgent attention is needed to develop worksite CVD prevention and health promotion interventions.