Cardio-metabolic risk factors and metabolic syndrome: A study of the prevalence and level of awareness of related risk factors among school teachers in Ogbomoso, South West Nigeria

Background: The overall health of school teachers is closely related to the performance of children in school and life generally. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome among school teachers in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Methods: Two hundred secondary school teachers were randomly selected from all the secondary schools in the two local Governments in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Relevant laboratory investigations and electrocardiography were performed. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the Joint Scientific Statement on Harmonising the Metabolic Syndrome Criteria. Results: Metabolic syndrome (MS) was identified among 44(22.0%) of study participants. It was more common among females 33(28.2%) compared to males 11(13.3%) [p = 0.002]. The prevalence of some cardiovascular risk factors were as follows: visceral obesity 108(54.0%), low HDL 105(52.5%), hypertension 58 (29.0%), BP > 130/85 mmHg, 76(38.0%), impaired fasting blood glucose 49(24.5%) and hypertriglyceridaemia 14(7.0%). Only a small fraction (39; 19.5%) demonstrated good level of knowledge about the cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk factors were common among school teachers in Ogbomoso, south-west Nigeria in addition to a low level of awareness and poor control of the risk factors.