Profile and Metabolic Risks for Non-Communicable Diseases Among Policemen in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The burden of non-communicable diseases is rapidly increasing globally, especially in middle and low-income countries, including Nigeria, causing significant health, social, and economic consequences. The officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force are at risk of non-communicable diseases because of the stressful nature of their jobs, coupled with the increasing rise in insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

Objectives: To determine the risk factors for non-communicable diseases among the men and women of the Nigerian Police Force.

Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design. A modification of the World Health Organisation (WHO) STEPS methodology for non-communicable diseases was adopted; an interviewer-administered questionnaire was used along with anthropometric, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and fasting lipid profile measurements. The study was conducted in Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria, from November 2021 through September 2022.

Results: The response rate in this study was 83.8%, and the sample consisted of 299 (92.0%) males and 26 (8.0%) females. The ages ranged from 20 to 60 years, with a mean age of 38.47±9.5 years. The prevalence of metabolic risk factors—hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, and overweight/obesity — was 34.4%, 8.5%, 50.0%, and 21.1%, respectively. While hypertension and overweight/obesity showed a direct positive relationship with age, diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia showed no significant relationship with age.

Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic risk factors for non-communicable diseases among police force personnel in Northern Nigeria is high. This calls for health promotional interventions such as providing and enforcing periodic medical examinations.