Factors Associated with Hypertension among Commercial Motor Drivers in Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Systemic hypertension is a major public health challenge because of its predominantly asymptomatic nature. Commercial motor drivers have a higher prevalence of hypertension and coronary event compared to their age and sex-matched of the general population. Any cardiovascular event affecting the commercial driver, especially while driving, would affect all passengers with substantial collateral damage. The main aim of this study was to assess risk factors for systemic hypertension among commercial motor drivers in Zaria.
Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 238 commercial motor drivers from all major parks in Zaria; first stage by proportionate sampling to allocate number to each Motor Park, then second stage by simple random sampling from list of drivers in each motor park. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Proportions were used to get percentages. Chi-square was used to obtain odds ratios.
Results: All participants were male aged 20 – 76 years (mean 42.3 ± 12.3 years). One hundred and twenty-five subjects (52.5% of all respondents) were discovered to have high blood pressure. However, while 30 drivers (12.6 % of participants) were known to be hypertensives, 95 (39.9 %) had their high blood pressure recorded for the first time at one sitting and never showed up for repeat checks. Age was found to positively correlate with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and duration of driving. (P < 0.001). Many substances were utilized to foster alertness and reduce discomfort of driving. Twenty years of driving or more was found to give 3.8 times risk of hypertension (p = 0.045)
Conclusion: Advanced age and duration of driving were found to be major risk factors for hypertension among commercial motor drivers in Zaria.