Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factors and the Risk of COVID-19 Infection among University Employees in Indonesia [article]

Indah Suci Widyahening, Dhanasari Vidiawati, Trevino A Pakasi, Pradana Soewondo, Abdillah Ahsan
2022 medRxiv   pre-print
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are still a major public health problem in Indonesia. Studies have shown that risk factors of NCDs were associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and mortality. However, it is unclear whether NCD risk factors are also risks for new COVID-19 infection. This study aimed to obtain the NCD risk profiles among university's employees and its association with COVID-19 infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2021.
more » ... nts were administrative employees of Universitas Indonesia (UI), Depok City, West Java. Assessment of NCDs risk factors was based on the World Health Organization STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance (WHO STEPS). Demographics, working and medical history data were obtained electronically by using a Google Form. Physical and laboratory examination were done in the Integrated Post for NCDs. Risks were expressed as adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in multivariate analyses. Results: A total of 613 employees were enrolled. Men were predominant (54.8%) and about 36% of them work in shift as security personnel. About 66.7% were overweight or obese and 77.8% had hypertension. There were 138 (22.8%) employees who had COVID-19 infection. Nearly all (95.6%) have completed COVID-19 vaccination. At-risk waist circumference (ORadj 1.74, 95% CI 1.17-2.60, p=0.007) and total cholesterol level of 200-239 mg/dL (ORadj 2.24, 95% CI 1.15-4.33, p=0.017) were independent risk factors, but shift work (ORadj 0.54, 95% CI 0.24-0.84, p=0.006) was protective to COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of NCDs risk factors among university administrative employees was high, increasing the risk for COVID-19 infection. A behavioral intervention program to manage the NCD risk factors at the university level is urgently needed according to the Health Promoting University framework.
doi:10.1101/2022.01.17.22269249 fatcat:ljmofyq3zzgannh4zqncnkvyqe