Prevalence of non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors Among

University Employees: A Cross-Sectional Study

Riza Septiani

and Putri Ariscasari

Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Muhammadiyah Aceh, Jl. Muhammadiyah No. 91, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Keywords: Non-Communicable Disease, Risk Factor, Hypertension, Obesity, Hyperglycaemia.

Abstract: The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) demonstrates an upward trend. Metabolic syndrome,

characterized by high blood pressure, obesity, hyperglycaemia, and abnormal cholesterol, serves as a crucial

indicator of associated risk factors for various NCDs. Current lifestyle patterns and high stress levels have

been identified as the main contributors to this growing trend. This study aims to analyse the presence of

NCDs risk factors among staff and lecturers at a private university in Aceh. A cross-sectional study was

conducted at the private university clinic in Banda Aceh, involving a sample of 109 participants. Convenience

sampling was employed by disseminating information to all university members regarding NCDs screening.

Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 for univariate approach. The research was conducted

between 24 and 28 June 2023. Results indicate that among the participants, 76.1% were aged 26-45, 63.3%

were female, 82.6% were married, and 77.1% had worked for over 5 years. Hypertension was reported by

15.6%, while 25.7% had prehypertension. Obesity affected 65.1%, with 11.9% classified as overweight.

Central obesity was prevalent in 70.6%, and 17.4% displayed hyperglycaemia. Additionally, 58.3%

experienced medium to high stress, 45% had a family history of NCDs, 34.8% were smokers, 50.5% had

irregular exercise, and 47.7% lacked sufficient fiber in their diet. This study highlights the prevalence of

various NCD risk factors among university employees. The findings serve as a basis for further research in

similar populations, involving a larger sample size, emphasizing comprehensive interventions like education,

behaviour change and the university's attention to employee health highlights the necessity of a health-

promoting university approach to support the wellbeing of university staff.

1 INTRODUCTION

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are

experiencing an upward trend worldwide, with their

prevalence being notably higher in Lower and Middle

Income Countries (LMICs), including Indonesia

(Ndubuisi, 2021). According to WHO (2022), NCDs

cause the deaths of 41 million people annually,

accounting for 74% of global deaths (World Health

Organization, 2022). Among these, 17 million people

died from NCDs prematurely, before reaching the age

of 70, and a substantial 86% of these premature

deaths occur within LMICs (World Health

Organization, 2022). The five most prevalent NCDs

comprise cardiovascular diseases, diabetes,

preventable cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and

mental health conditions (World Health

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3759-0134

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5629-7881

Organization, 2022). In Indonesia, according to the

Basic Health Research of 2018, the prevalence of

NCDs is approximately 10% (Arifin et al., 2022). The

primary contributing factor with the highest odds is

depression, followed by other factors such as lack of

education, passive smoking, female gender, poor diet,

urban residence, and obesity (Arifin et al., 2022).

Metabolic syndrome, characterized by high

blood pressure, obesity, hyperglycaemia, and

abnormal cholesterol levels, stands as a crucial

indicator of the linked risk factors for a range of

NCDs especially heart disease, stroke and diabetes

(American Heart Association, 2021). Additionally,

Current lifestyle patterns and high stress levels have

also been identified as the main contributors to this

growing trend of high NCDs prevalence (American

Heart Association, 2021).

Septiani, R. and Ariscasari, P.

Prevalence of Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors Among University Employees: A Cross-Sectional Study.

DOI: 10.5220/0012903100004564

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Social Determinants of Health (ICSDH 2023), pages 189-193

ISBN: 978-989-758-727-6; ISSN: 2975-8297

189

Meanwhile, various studies indicate a high

prevalence of NCDs among lecturers and staff,

identifying them as a high-risk population (Brenyah

et al., 2023; Kuruvilla et al., 2023; Que, 2023). These

studies have extensively observed and analysed

health issues within this population, with a focus on

diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes,

chronic respiratory diseases, and others. These

findings depict that the group of lecturers and staff is

identified as a population with a higher risk of NCD

occurrence (Alzeidan et al., 2016; Brenyah et al.,

2023; Kuruvilla et al., 2023; Que, 2023).

Certain factors such as high work pressure,

unhealthy eating patterns, as well as a less active

lifestyle and limited time for physical activities, often

characterize the work environment within academic

settings (Fountaine et al., n.d.; Lima et al., 2021)

These aspects can contribute to the elevated

prevalence of NCDs among lecturers and staff.

Therefore, a deep understanding of these risks will

provide a crucial foundation for designing health

programs specifically tailored to this group. Through

a more targeted approach, the potential to reduce

NCD risks among lecturers and staff can be enhanced,

thus improving their well-being and productivity

within the academic environment.

The primary objective of this research is to

assess the prevalence of risk factors associated with

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among the

staff and lecturers of a private university in Aceh.

This includes an examination of the presence of

metabolic syndrome, encompassing risk factors such

as hypertension, hyperglycaemia, overweight, and

obesity. Additionally, the study will also investigate

the prevalence of other lifestyle-related risk factors,

including smoking, a diet low in fiber, and limited

physical activity.

2 METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted with a

sample of 109 participants at the private university

clinic in Banda Aceh. Data analysis was performed

using SPSS version 26 with a univariate approach and

the research findings are presented descriptively to

provide a comprehensive overview of the collected

information. The research took place between June 24

and June 28 2023. Data collection involved

conducting interviews using an online questionnaire

through Google Forms and performing assessments

such as body weight, height to calculate Body Mass

Index (BMI), as well as other evaluations including

abdominal circumference, blood pressure, and blood

glucose levels. For data collections, 41 students from

the Public Health study program, along with a general

practitioner and a nurse, participated as data

collectors, responsible for measurements under the

supervision of the researcher. Prior to the data

collection, respondents were queried about their

willingness to undergo NCDs screening and

participate in the study.

3 RESULTS

Focusing on the characteristics of the respondents,

out of the 109 staff and lecturers who engaged in the

study, a significant majority, 76.1% were within the

age range of 26 to 45 years, thereby classified as

middle-aged adults. Furthermore, 63.3% of the

participants were female, and 82.6% were married.

Specifically, 44% comprised staff members

exclusively, while 29.4% were lecturers only, and

26.6% held dual roles as both staff and lecturers, and

77.1% had over 5 years of work experience (Table 1).

Table 1: Characteristic of Respondents.

Characteristic N %

rou

Youn

adult 2 1.8

Middle-aged adult 83 76.1

Pre-elderly 21 19.3

Elderly 3 2.8

Sex

Female 69 63.3

Male 40 36.7

Marital status

Unmarried 17 15.6

Married 90 82.6

Divorce 2 1.8

Employment status

Lecturer 32 29.4

Staff 48 44

Lecturer + staff 29 26.6

Employment period

< 5 years 25 22.9

≥ 5 years 84 77.1

Total 109 100

According to the results of the univariate analysis

focusing on the identification of risk factors for

NCDs, some of these variables encompass the

concept of metabolic syndrome. The findings reveal

that 15.6% of the participants demonstrated elevated

blood pressure, which corresponds to the

ICSDH 2023 - The International Conference on Social Determinants of Health

190

classification of hypertension. Moreover, 25.7%

exhibited prehypertension. Furthermore, the study

identified that 65.1% were categorized as obese, and

11.9% were classified as overweight. The assessment

of abdominal circumference unveiled central obesity

as prevalent among 70.6% of the participants, while

17.4% displayed signs of hyperglycaemia.

Additionally, it was observed that 58.3% of the

respondents reported a medium to high stress level.

Approximately 45% of the respondents had a family

history of NCDs, encompassing conditions such as

diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or stroke.

Additionally, 38.4% of the participants were either

active or passive smokers, with over half admitting to

irregular exercise patterns. Furthermore, nearly half

of the participants reported an insufficient intake of

dietary fiber (Table 2).

Table 2: The Prevalence of NCDs Risk Factor.

Assessment Category N %

Blood pressure

ertension 17 15.6

Pre-hypertension 28 25.7

Normal 64 58.7

Body mass

index

Obesit

71 65.1

Overweight 13 11.9

Normal 18 16.5

Underweight 6 5.5

Abdominal

circumference

Abnormal

(central obese)

77 70.6

Normal 32 29.4

Blood glucose

level

Hyperglycaemia 19 17.4

Normal 90 82.6

Stress level High 10 9.2

Medium 53 48.6

Low 46 42.2

Family history

of NCDs

Present 49 45

Absent 60 55

Smoking Active 12 11

Passive 31 28.4

Non-smoker 66 60.6

Exercise Irregula

55 50.5

Regula

54 49.5

Regular fiber-

based diet

Insufficient 52 47.7

Sufficient 57 52.3

Total 109 100

4 DISCUSSION

Based on research results, the prevalence of risk

factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

among university employees are concerning,

particularly focusing on metabolic

syndrome and

associated variables. The obtained findings provide

valuable insights into the health status and risk

profiles of university employees.

Regarding blood pressure, the study revealed

that a notable proportion, 15.6%, exhibited elevated

blood pressure, which aligns with the classification of

hypertension. Additionally, 25.7% demonstrated

prehypertension, indicating a concerning

predisposition to high blood pressure.

Globally, approximately 1.28 billion individuals

aged 30 to 79 years suffer from hypertension, with

around 46% of adults with this condition being

unaware of their health status (World Health

Organization, 2023). The diagnosis and treatment

rates for hypertension are inadequate, underscoring

the importance of regular blood pressure screening

for early detection. Furthermore, the study's findings

reveal that about a quarter of the respondents

exhibited pre-hypertension

. Prehypertension serves as

an indicator that an individual could develop elevated

blood pressure later on (Bruce, 2023). Positioned

between normal blood pressure and hypertension,

prehypertension is linked to sub-clinical

atherosclerosis and damage to target organs

(Anshuman Srivastava; Taaha M. Mirza; Shweta

Sharan, 2022). Therefore, it is crucial to alert

individuals with prehypertension and effectively

manage this condition to maintain blood pressure

within a healthy range.

Several studies show that the rate cases of

elevated blood pressure is quite high, a research in

Pattimura University, Indonesia examined 517

lecturers and staff members, revealing that the

prevalence of stage 1 hypertension was 36%, while

stage 2 hypertension accounted for 30%.

Additionally, prehypertension was identified in 22%

of the participants (Que, 2023). Another study

conducted in a university setting reveals that the

prevalence of hypertension among employees is 17%

(Kuruvilla et al., 2023).

Obesity and central obesity emerged as another

significant risk factor. 65.1% falling into obesity and

11.9% classified as overweight. This underscores the

need for proactive measures to address obesity and its

potential consequences, such as cardiovascular

diseases and diabetes. The assessment of abdominal

circumference exposed the prevalence of central

obesity among 70.6% of participants, further

highlighting the urgency of addressing this crucial

risk factor for various NCDs. Some research also

mentioned similar findings, indicating that the

prevalence of obesity reached 50%, overweight

Prevalence of Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors Among University Employees: A Cross-Sectional Study

191

reached 16.8%, and central obesity reached 64.4%

(Kuruvilla et al., 2023).

Concurrently, 17.4% of participants displayed

signs of hyperglycaemia, accentuating the risk of

diabetes. A similar finding was observed in a study

that focused on the level of blood glucose among

university employees, where 19% exhibited

hyperglycaemia. (Que, 2023). Another study, which

did not directly measure respondents' blood sugar

levels but instead asked them about their satisfaction

with their blood sugar levels, found that 47.5% of

respondents reported dissatisfaction. This suggests

that the results could potentially indicate abnormal

levels (Brenyah et al., 2023).

Psychosocial aspects were also considered, with

58.3% of respondents reporting medium to high stress

levels. In line with these findings, a study that

examined the occurrence of work-related stress

among university staff discovered an overall

prevalence of 60.4% over a 12-month period. The

study also identified correlated factors such as high

job demands and low job control (Kabito GG, Wami

SD, Chercos DH, 2020). Some studies have

extensively documented the connections between

psychosocial stressors and various illnesses (Ghosh &

Verma, 2018; Marmot, 1999; Marmot MG, Bosma H,

Hemingway H, Brunner E, 1997). Research has

revealed that men with lower socioeconomic status

face an increased likelihood of experiencing coronary

heart disease (CHD) (Marmot MG, Bosma H,

Hemingway H, Brunner E, 1997). Additionally,

insufficient perceived job control and workplace

stress have been identified as significant factors

contributing to the development of conditions like

CHD and hypertension (Cranny CJ, Smith PC, 1991).

This connection between stress and NCDs is well-

documented and underscores the importance of

holistic health promotion strategies.

Another finding related to risk factors of NCDs

include family history that played a significant role,

as approximately 45% of participants reported a

family history of NCDs. This emphasizes the genetic

predisposition and the importance of tailored

interventions for high-risk individuals. Meanwhile,

lifestyle factors were also evident, with 38.4% of

participants being active or passive smokers, more

than half having irregular exercise patterns, and based

on dietary habits, it were also addressed, as nearly

half of the participants reported insufficient dietary

fiber intake. These behaviors contribute to NCD risk

and should be targeted in health promotion efforts,

underscoring the importance of regular exercise and

balanced diet in NCD prevention

5 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the research findings highlight the

alarming prevalence of NCD risk factors among the

employees, including high blood pressure, obesity,

hyperglycemia, stress, smoking, lack of exercise and

an insufficient fiber diet. The results emphasize the

urgent need for comprehensive interventions to

address these risk factors and promote healthier

lifestyles, including multi approach encompassing

education, behavioral changes, and policy initiatives

is essential to limit the growing burden of NCDs in

the population. The findings serve as a basis for

further research in similar populations, involving a

larger sample size. It emphasizes the importance of

the university’s awareness of employee health and the

need for a health-promoting university approach to

support the wellbeing of university staff.

However, this study has its limitations. It was

integrated with a project-based learning activity,

involving a significant number of enumerators, over

41 data collectors. Despite comprehensive training,

potential biases in data collection cannot be

disregarded. Moreover, due to time constraints for

data collection, the study was unable to gather

comprehensive data from all employees.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We extend our gratitude to the university leadership

and the dedicated staff of the university clinics for

granting us permission to conduct the study through

NCDs screening among employees. Our sincere

appreciation also goes to the staff and lecturers who

willingly participated in this study. Furthermore, we

would like to express our thanks to the students from

the Epidemiology, Work Health and Safety,

Biostatistics and Health Informatics departments of

the Faculty of Public Health for their invaluable

assistance in collecting the research data.

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