Factors Influencing Occupational Health Practices and Hypertension Among Security Personnel in a Public University

Abstract

Introduction: The noncommunicable disease has emerged as a major epidemic for decades and hypertension has been reported as a disease that has a high association with the occupational factors of security personnel. The duty routines of security personnel such as doing patrols, post-guards and the need to stay alert have made them vulnerable to occupational health and safety hazards. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the factors influencing occupational health practices and hypertension among security personnel in a public university in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the security personnel of a public university in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, using a convenient sampling technique. Questionnaires adapted from NHMS 2019 have been distributed among the security personnel of the selected public university. Data analysis was conducted by using the SPSS version 28. Descriptive analysis and cross-tabulations were conducted. Pearson Chi-square/Fisher exact test was used to find the association. Statistical significance was considered at p<.05. Results: Of the total respondents, 77.7% were male and 22.3% of them were female. The mean age of the respondents was 35.5 years with a standard deviation of 8.5. The proportion of annual cardiovascular screenings was 68%, and type of residence (p=.013) and previous employment factors (p=.013) were found to be statistically significant. Alternately, the proportion of recent cancer screenings was 16.5%, and gender (p=<.001), marital status (p=.004) and year of services (p=.034) were found to be statistically significant. The prevalence of hypertension was 21.4%, and age (p=.001) and year of services (p=.010), were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Early detection of underlying disease will contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Subsequently, annual health screening activities are essential in guaranteeing the quality of health and a life sustenance fundamental practice among security personnel.