Association of hyperuricemia with metabolic syndrome among university workers: sex and occupational differences

Background: The relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hyperuricemia is not fully understood.Objective: To examine the association of hyperuricemia with MetS and the component of MetS that is mostly influenced by hyperuricemia among university workers.Methods: Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, glucose, lipid profiles, renal function tests were measured in 1198 male and 1075 female (22-60 years old) workers on annual medical examination. Results: Hyperuricemia was 3-fold higher in males (odds ratio, OR, 2.938, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.909-4.522, P<0.01) than females after adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI) and renal function. Overall, individuals with hyperuricemia were 3.9-fold likely to have MetS OR, 3.903; CI (2.439-6.245), P<0.01, and dyslipidemia, 2.5 times (OR, 2.501; 95% CI, 1.776-3.521, P<0.01) after adjustment for age, BMI, sex and renal function. However, no associations were found in individuals with hypertension (OR, 1.427; 95% CI, 0.996-2.205, P=0.052) and hyperglycemia (OR, 1.476; 95% CI, 0.989-2.202, P=0.057). Administrative work positively associated (OR, 1.895; 95% CI, 1.202-2.925, P<0.05) with hyperuricemia in males and not females.Conclusion: Male workers with hyperuricemia, especially those working in administration were at risk of metabolic syndrome. It is important to screen, prevent and treat metabolic syndrome in individuals diagnosed with hyperuricemia at the workplace.Keywords: Hyperuricemia, metabolic syndrome, uric acid, workers

Association of hyperuricemia with metabolic syndrome among university workers: sex and occupational differences

Background: The relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hyperuricemia is not fully understood. Objective: To examine the association of hyperuricemia with MetS and the component of MetS that is mostly influenced by hyperuricemia among university workers. Methods: Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, glucose, lipid profiles, renal function tests were measured in 1198 male and 1075 female (22-60 years old) workers on annual medical examination. Results: Hyperuricemia was 3-fold higher in males (odds ratio, OR, 2.938, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.909-4.522, P<0.01) than females after adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI) and renal function. Overall, individuals with hyperuricemia were 3.9-fold likely to have MetS OR, 3.903; CI (2.439-6.245), P<0.01, and dyslipidemia, 2.5 times (OR, 2.501; 95% CI, 1.776-3.521, P<0.01) after adjustment for age, BMI, sex and renal function. However, no associations were found in individuals with hypertension (OR, 1.427; 95% CI, 0.996-2.205, P=0.052) and hyperglycemia (OR, 1.476; 95% CI, 0.989-2.202, P=0.057). Administrative work positively associated (OR, 1.895; 95% CI, 1.202-2.925, P<0.05) with hyperuricemia in males and not females. Conclusion: Male workers with hyperuricemia, especially those working in administration were at risk of metabolic syndrome. It is important to screen, prevent and treat metabolic syndrome in individuals diagnosed with hyperuricemia at the workplace

Fish and fish products consumption behaviours and attitudes of farmers in western Kenya

Fish and fish products contain high-quality protein of animal origin with essential bioavailable micronutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Although fish contribute to food and nutrition security, fish consumption per capita in Kenya is lower than Africa’s and the world’s average annual per capita consumptions. This study assessed fish farmers’ attitudes and consumption behaviours for fish and value-added fish products in three Counties in Western Kenya. A cross-sectional study involving a mixed-method approach applying qualitative and quantitative techniques was used to collect data from one hundred and thirty-eight women with children aged 6 to 59 months. Participants were selected from a random sample of registered fish farmer groups representing vulnerable, marginalized and common interest groups within the study areas. Overall, most households consume fish as their main source of protein with the Nile tilapia being the most preferred fish species. A majority (64%) of the farmers had positive attitudes towards fish consumption and were interested in incorporating value-added fish products into their daily diets. In addition, availability of value-added fish products, knowledge of the existence of these products, skills in preparation and cooking, and socio-economic factors influenced consumption. The farmer’s age ([Adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 2.83], [95% Cl: 1.23-6.52], p = 0.014), marital status ([AOR = 7.31], [95% Cl: 1.51-35.4], p = 0.014), monthly income ([AOR = 1.33], [95% Cl: 0.13-0.83], p = 0.019) and occupation of the household head ([AOR = 5.06, [95% Cl: 2.06-12.4], p<0.001) were positively associated with consumption of value-added fish products. However, education level ([AOR = 1.84, [95% Cl: 0.17-20.0], p = 0.617) was not associated with consumption of value-added fish products. Fish consumption patterns such as frequency and portion sizes significantly improved in the fish farmer households after they began fish farming. Furthermore, few farmers consumed value-added fish products due to low availability, lack of awareness and inadequate skills for preparation and cooking. In conclusion, awareness creation campaigns on fish value addition, nutrition education and behaviour change communication aimed at modifying nutrition behaviours are necessary to increase fish consumption, improve knowledge and skills, and ensure the availability of value-added fish products during all seasons

Determinants of dietary diversity among women of reproductive age in two different agro-ecological zones of Rongai Sub-County, Nakuru, Kenya

Background: Empirical evidence on the link between agrobiodiversity and dietary diversity appears to be inconclusive. Thus, there arises a need to determine other factors that could significantly influence dietary diversity in different agro-ecological zones, as factors may vary from region to region. Objective: The objective of this study was to document the status of agrobiodiversity and dietary diversity and to assess the determinants of dietary diversity among women of reproductive age in two different agro-ecological zones of Rongai Sub-County in Kenya. Design: A cross-sectional study of 384 women aged 18–49 years was conducted. Agrobiodiversity was measured using the Shannon-Wiener index, species richness (count) and production diversity score. A 24-hour dietary recall was used to determine minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W) of reproductive age. Results: Although the level of agrobiodiversity was different between the low and high agro-ecological zones (using Shannon-Wiener index); the women’s dietary diversity was not different (p > 0.05) between low (3.78 ± 0.99) and high potential areas (3.84 ± 1.05). In multivariate logistic regression, there was no association (p > 0.05) between agrobiodiversity indicators and dietary diversity across the two agricultural zones. Factors influencing MDD-W in two agricultural zones were different. In low potential areas, woman’s education level positively determined dietary diversity, while in high potential areas household gender, woman’s education level, woman’s age and family size influenced MDD-W. Conclusion: The proportion of women who met minimum dietary diversity was low. Although agrobiodiversity was different in the two agro-ecological zones, women’s dietary diversity scores were similar. In low agricultural potential areas, only education level influenced women’s dietary diversity while household gender, education level, age and family size were the important determinants in high agricultural potential areas. Therefore, it is recommended that nutrition interventions focusing on lessening malnutrition and improving dietary quality should pay special attention to differences in agro-ecological zones to develop region-specific interventions instead of generalizing interventions