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

Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes; however, data among professional workforces in Uganda are limited. We assessed the prevalence and associated factors of MetS among university and hospital staff in Mbarara, southwestern Uganda. Methods We conducted an institution-based cross-sectional study among 231 university and hospital staff. Participants were selected using stratified simple random sampling with proportional allocation by institution and staff category. MetS was defined using the harmonized Joint Interim Statement criteria as the presence of ≥ 3 of five components: central obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and dysglycemia. We described component clustering as 0, 1–2, or ≥ 3 components and used modified Poisson regression to identify factors associated with MetS Results Among 231 participants, 139 (60.2%) were male, the mean age was 41.1 years, and 164 (71.0%) were university staff. Overall, 68 participants had MetS, giving a prevalence of 29.4% (95% CI 23.6–35.8). Low HDL-C (65%) and dysglycemia (51%) were the most common components. Only 9% of participants had no MetS components, whereas 62% had 1–2 components MetS was independently associated with age 35–49 years (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 2.24, 95% CI 1.10–4.54), age ≥ 50 years (aPR 2.75, 95% CI 1.27–5.97), female sex (aPR 3.16, 95% CI 2.05–4.88), and alcohol use (aPR 1.78, 95% CI 1.20–2.63). Conclusions MetS and subthreshold cardiometabolic risk clustering were common among academic and healthcare workers. The predominance of low HDL-C and dysglycemia, together with higher MetS prevalence among older staff, women, and alcohol users, supports workplace-based screening, targeted prevention, and longitudinal follow-up in similar low-resource professional settings.