Perfil de autocuidado, estilo e qualidade de vida de trabalhadores universitários, segundo valores da pressão arterial

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are among the main causes of death in Brazil and worldwide. When not treated properly, hypertension contributes to the worsening of physical and mental health conditions. From the perspective of promoting health and well-being, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, as well as inequalities and sociocultural contexts must be strongly considered, as lifestyle can act as a risk or protective factor in the development of hypertension. and other chronic diseases. In the work context, it is important to analyze the health profile of workers, especially with regard to self-care practices to promote cardiovascular health. General Objective: To analyze the self-care profile, style and quality of life of university workers, with an emphasis on the prevalence of high blood pressure and/or self-reported hypertension. Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional study, with workers linked to a Higher Education Institution in the state of Amazonas. The data collection period was between August 2022 and February 2023, carried out in two stages. Stage 1 was online, with invitations sent via institutional email to all teachers and administrative technicians linked to one of the institution's academic units. Workers were invited to answer the instrument, via Google forms, containing questions about sociodemographic, work and health conditions, including the “FANTASTIC Lifestyle” Questionnaire. Those who reported having a diagnosis of hypertension were invited to also answer two other questionnaires: “Self Care of Hypertension Index – SC-HI” and “Mini-Questionnaire on Quality of Life in Arterial Hypertension” – MINICHAL. In Stage 2, participants who responded to the online instrument were invited to take anthropometric, blood glucose and blood pressure measurements. The data were tabulated, typed and categorized in the Excel 2016 program, being transferred and statistically analyzed with the help of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 21.0 or R 4.2.2. The analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistics, adopting a 95% confidence interval. Results: the results are presented in two articles, which are in the process of being submitted to indexed journals. Article 1, with the aim of characterizing the sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle profile of university workers, according to self-reported arterial hypertension, highlights the following findings: the majority of participants were teachers (67.6%) and the prevalence of arterial hypertension was 19.5%. Age, number of children, faith practice, length of service at the institution and diabetes mellitus were significant when compared between groups with or without hypertension. Article 2 identified that male employees are 4.51 times more likely to develop hypertension (95% CI [1.45 – 16.3]) compared to female employees. In the classification of waist circumference, workers with high metabolic risk are 4.66 times more likely to develop arterial hypertension (95% CI [1.50 – 16.6]), when compared to those classified as having metabolic risk. Conclusion: The study shows that workers, especially male workers, need greater attention to prevent and control hypertension. Considering that the work environment is one of the places where individuals spend most of their lives, encouraging the adoption of good self-care practices are actions that must form part of the institutional culture, in order to contribute to improving working conditions. health and well-being of its employees. Based on the findings of this investigation, we intend to create projects in the future that improve these practices within the university or even outside it. Contributions to Nursing: Higher Education Institutions must establish closer ties with their workers, as through health education and encouragement of preventive practices, they can promote adherence to treatments, individual care and awareness regarding the health conditions of individuals, being important actors in this context of health promotion. Nursing, whose essence is to provide integrated and systematized care, is an important ally in strengthening Health Promoting Universities.