Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Factors among Schoolteachers in Calabar, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

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.

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

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.

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.

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