PATTERN AND PREVALENCE OF UNDIAGNOSED HYPERTENSION AMONG TRANSPORT WORKERS IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA.
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Abstract
Background: Undiagnosed hypertension remains a major public health problem globally, particularly among occupational groups exposed to prolonged work stress, sedentary lifestyle, and poor access to routine healthcare. Transport and logistics
workers are especially vulnerable because of the nature of their work, yet many cases remain undetected until complications develop.
Objective: This study assessed the prevalence, distribution, and factors associatedwith undiagnosed hypertension among transport and logistics workers in Benin City, Edo State.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 315 transport and logistics workers selected using a multistage sampling technique. Oredo Local Government Area was selected at the first stage, while Central Motor Park was
selected at the second stage using cluster sampling. Data were collected using a semi- structured interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEP wise approach. Blood pressure was measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer and stethoscope, while weight and height were measured using standard procedures. Respondents with systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg who had no previous diagnosis of hypertension
and were not on antihypertensive medication were classified as having undiagnosed hypertension. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 25. Descriptive statisticswere summarized using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression using the backward stepwise (conditional) method were used to determine factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 50.53 ± 11.87 years. Slightly more than half (52.5%) had good knowledge of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was 47.8%, while the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 24.0%. Nearly half of the respondents were prehypertensive, 26.7% had stage 1 hypertension, and
xv 18.3% had stage 2 hypertension. Undiagnosed hypertension was more common among respondents aged 31–40 years, those with primary education, motorcyclists and taxi drivers, those with shorter work experience, and respondents who worked
more than 10 hours daily. Smoking and physical inactivity were significantly associated with undiagnosed hypertension at bivariate level (p < 0.05). At multivariate level, primary education (AOR = 3.44; 95% CI: 1.16–10.21) and lack of regular
physical activity (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.12–4.64) remained significant predictors of undiagnosed hypertension. Conclusion: Undiagnosed hypertension is a significant health problem among transport and logistics workers in Benin City. The burden of hypertension was high, knowledge of hypertension was only moderate, and many respondents were exposed to important behavioural and occupational risk factors. Regular blood pressure screening, targeted health education, and workplace-based interventions are recommended to improve early detection and reduce the burden of hypertension and its complications among transport workers
workers are especially vulnerable because of the nature of their work, yet many cases remain undetected until complications develop.
Objective: This study assessed the prevalence, distribution, and factors associatedwith undiagnosed hypertension among transport and logistics workers in Benin City, Edo State.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 315 transport and logistics workers selected using a multistage sampling technique. Oredo Local Government Area was selected at the first stage, while Central Motor Park was
selected at the second stage using cluster sampling. Data were collected using a semi- structured interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEP wise approach. Blood pressure was measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer and stethoscope, while weight and height were measured using standard procedures. Respondents with systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg who had no previous diagnosis of hypertension
and were not on antihypertensive medication were classified as having undiagnosed hypertension. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 25. Descriptive statisticswere summarized using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression using the backward stepwise (conditional) method were used to determine factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of respondents was 50.53 ± 11.87 years. Slightly more than half (52.5%) had good knowledge of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was 47.8%, while the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 24.0%. Nearly half of the respondents were prehypertensive, 26.7% had stage 1 hypertension, and
xv 18.3% had stage 2 hypertension. Undiagnosed hypertension was more common among respondents aged 31–40 years, those with primary education, motorcyclists and taxi drivers, those with shorter work experience, and respondents who worked
more than 10 hours daily. Smoking and physical inactivity were significantly associated with undiagnosed hypertension at bivariate level (p < 0.05). At multivariate level, primary education (AOR = 3.44; 95% CI: 1.16–10.21) and lack of regular
physical activity (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.12–4.64) remained significant predictors of undiagnosed hypertension. Conclusion: Undiagnosed hypertension is a significant health problem among transport and logistics workers in Benin City. The burden of hypertension was high, knowledge of hypertension was only moderate, and many respondents were exposed to important behavioural and occupational risk factors. Regular blood pressure screening, targeted health education, and workplace-based interventions are recommended to improve early detection and reduce the burden of hypertension and its complications among transport workers
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