Cardiometabolic Risk Profile and Malaria Prevalence Among Federal Government Agency Workers in Nigeria: Findings from a Post-Health Education Screening Program

Abstract

Workplace health screening programs remain underutilized in Nigeria despite the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among working populations. Limited data exist on the health status of federal government agency workers, who represent a significant proportion of Nigeria's formal workforce. The study’s objective is to assess the cardiometabolic risk profile and malaria prevalence among federal agency workers following a health education intervention on diet and lifestyle. A cross-sectional screening study was conducted in January 2024 at the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), Abuja office, Nigeria. Following a health talk titled "The Role of Diet and Lifestyles in Health and Diseases," 27 of 60 eligible staff (45% participation rate) consented to screening. Measured parameters included blood pressure (BP), anthropometric measurements (weight, height, body mass index [BMI]), random blood sugar (RBS), and malaria status using rapid diagnostic tests. The results indicated that participants' mean age was 36.4 ± 6.2 years (range: 20-44 years), with 59.3% (16/27) being female. The prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors was substantial: hypertension (BP ≥130/80 mmHg) affected 29.6% (8/27) of participants, overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m²) was observed in 22.2% (6/27), and elevated random blood glucose (RBS ≥140 mg/dL) was present in 7.4% (2/27). Malaria positivity rate was 0% (0/27). The low voluntary screening participation rate (45%), despite prior health education and free services, highlights significant barriers to workplace health-seeking behaviour. Nearly one-third of screened federal workers demonstrated hypertension, with additional cardiometabolic risk factors prevalent in this relatively young workforce. The low screening uptake despite health education underscores the urgent need for mandatory workplace health screening policies, targeted lifestyle interventions, and integration of NCD screening into occupational health services in Nigerian federal agencies.