ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become a common cause of death and disability in
developing countries. According to the WHO it is expected that by 2020, 35% of all deaths in
these nations will be due to CVD.
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the workplace, among Zamfara state
government employees. Five hundred and eighty one respondents were selected from 11 state
Ministries.
Set of interviewers administered questionnaires adopting the WHO step down approach
was adopted to collect subjects' socio demographic data and risk factors for CVD. Data were
analyzed using Epi info versions 7.
Mean ages were 42 years, Â 8 years, and the overall prevalence of Hypertension was 19%, 42% for isolated systolic blood pressure,28% isolated diastolic blood pressure. Systolic
blood pressure positively correlates with age, years of smoking, diastolic BP, and total
cholesterol levels (r=0.774, P=0.0000), (r=0.242, P=0.004153) (r=0.098, P. <0.005). But
negatively correlates with BMI (r = -0.326 P= 0.032102) Sitting at work for >6 hours was
statistically associated with increased diastolic blood pressure (OR: 2.153; 95% CI: 1.38-
3.315) but not with systolic blood pressure.
However, knowledge of CVD, having first degree relatives with cardiovascular disease,
taking fruits and vegetables daily, physical activities, cigarette smoking, adding extra salt to
meal did not have significant effect.
The prevalence of systemic hypertension was 19%, isolated systolic blood pressure 42%,
isolated diastolic blood pressure 28%, overweigh 63%, cigarette 26% smoking, dyslipidaemia
10%, abdominal obesity in females 56% and males 11% respectively. Prevalence of Hypertension was consistent with the national NCD survey; however
prevalence of overweight, abdominal obesity and cigarette smoking was higher than the
national NCD survey.
Zamfara state civil service union should discourage long sitting hours in workplaces, and
encourage overweigh and obese employees to lose weight.
Key words: Zamfara State, CVD, Government Employees, Risk factors.
