Metabolic syndrome prevalence and correlates among university and hospital staff in southwestern Uganda

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a convergence of interrelated cardiometabolic abnormalities that substantially increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. University and hospital staff may have distinct occupational and lifestyle exposures that contribute to cardiometabolic risk, yet evidence from Uganda remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence, component patterns, and correlates of MetS among university and hospital staff in southwestern Uganda. We conducted an institution-based cross-sectional study among 231 university and hospital staff at Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Mbarara City, southwestern Uganda, during October 20, 2025–January 25, 2026. MetS was defined using modified harmonized Joint Interim Statement criteria as at least three of five cardiometabolic risk components: central obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and dysglycaemia. Dysglycaemia was defined as HbA1c ≥ 5.7% or being on glucose-lowering medication. We used modified Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). 164 (71.0%) were university staff and 139 (60.2%) were male. Overall MetS prevalence was 29.4% (68/231; 95% CI 23.6–35.8%). Reduced HDL-C, dysglycaemia, and central obesity were present in 150 (64.9%), 118 (51.1%), and 74 (32.0%) participants, respectively. In multivariable analysis, MetS prevalence was higher among females than males (aPR = 3.01, 95% CI 2.00–4.51), among participants aged 35–49 years (aPR = 2.23, 95% CI 1.10–4.52) and ≥ 50 years (aPR = 2.72, 95% CI 1.17–6.32) compared with those aged 18–34 years, and among current alcohol consumers compared with non-consumers (aPR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.22–2.62). MetS affected nearly one-third of surveyed university and hospital staff in southwestern Uganda, and reduced HDL-C and dysglycaemia were the predominant abnormalities. Higher MetS prevalence was associated with female sex, older age, and current alcohol consumption. These findings indicate a substantial cardiometabolic risk burden in this institutional workforce and support consideration of workplace-based risk assessment and health-promotion strategies in similar settings.