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. 2025 May 17;25(1):1818.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-22484-y.

Are the healers healthy? Exploring non-communicable diseases among healthcare workers in Ajman, United Arab Emirates

Sandhra Treesa Santhosh  1 , Abubakker Siddiq Mohamed Hameed  1 , Anugraha Lisa Ciju  1 , Aaesha Rannath  1 , Syeda Kaunain Fatima  1 , Janet Chichu James  1 , Mohammed Nayeem Shaji  1 , Ehab M Esheiba  2 , Jayadevan Sreedharan  3   4 , Jayakumary Muttappallymyalil  5   6
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Are the healers healthy? Exploring non-communicable diseases among healthcare workers in Ajman, United Arab Emirates

Sandhra Treesa Santhosh et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular diseases, are a major cause of global mortality. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, healthcare workers face increased risks of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes due to lifestyle-related behaviour. This study evaluates the frequency and determinants of NCDs among healthcare workers in Ajman, UAE.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used in this cross-sectional study covering socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, perceived stress, and self-reported personal and family history of NCDs. A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 786 healthcare workers at tertiary hospitals in Ajman. NCDs included diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, hyperlipidemia, cancer, respiratory diseases, GERD, arthritis, piles, gout, sciatica, musculoskeletal disorders, and thyroid disorders. Ethical approval (IRB-COM-STD-25-JAN-2024) was obtained, and informed consent was ensured. Data were analyzed using IBM® SPSS version 29.0, with descriptive statistics summarizing variables and Chi-square tests assessing associations between NCD frequency and related factors with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 35.04 ± 9.93 years. The frequency of non-communicable diseases among the study population was 273 (35%), with hypertension taking the lead. Significant associations were found between age, education level, nationality, Body Mass Index (BMI) levels, family history of NCDs, sleep habits, and NCD prevalence. Higher rates of NCDs were observed among older individuals 120 (56.9%), those with higher education levels 78(49.4%), abnormal BMI levels 189(43,1%), individuals from the Southeast Asia Region 184(32.5%), and those with a family history of NCDs 215 (37.9%). Adequate sleep 243(33.3%), feeling well-rested 237(33.5%), and no daytime sleepiness 78(29.2%) were linked to lower NCD prevalence, while snoring 156(48%) and muscular pain 167(45.3%) were associated with higher rates. A significant association was found between NCD prevalence and the consumption of salty 56 (43.4%) and spicy foods 43(52.4%), with higher prevalence in those consuming them less frequently or not at all.

Conclusion: Non-communicable diseases were prevalent (35%) among healthcare workers in Ajman, UAE, with hypertension being the most common. NCD clustering was observed, with multiple conditions coexisting in several participants. Both modifiable (BMI, sleep habits, diet) and non-modifiable (age, nationality, family history) risk factors showed significant associations with NCDs. Targeted lifestyle interventions and early screening are essential to reduce NCD risk in this population.

Keywords: BMI levels; Diet; Family history; Healthcare workers; Lifestyle united Arab Emirates; Non-communicable diseases; Sleep.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Gulf Medical University in Ajman, United Arab Emirates (Ref. no. IRB-COM-STD-25-Jan-2024). Informed consent was obtained from all the participants involved in the study. The study was conducted in compliance with the Helsinki Declaration. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Distribution of participants according to the type of non-communicable disease
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