Edem, Kojo DzantorMargaret, KwekuEmmanuel, Senanu Komla MorheSamuel, Zanya Bugri2024-09-092024-09-092023-11-15Dzantor, E. K., Kweku, M., Morhe, E. S. K., & Bugri, S. Z. (2023). Prioritizing Workplace Health Promotion Policy to Address High Blood Pressure and Obesity in a Public University in the Northern Region of Ghana. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 60, 00469580231218627.https://naconmspace.conahs.edu.gh/handle/123456789/35The research article titled "Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Hypertension and Obesity Among Administrative Staff of a Public University in Northern Ghana" examines the prevalence of high blood pressure (hypertension) and obesity among administrative staff at a public university in Northern Ghana. The study is framed within the International Labour Organization's (ILO) recommendation for workplace health promotion to prevent noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by improving working conditions and health practices. Using a mixed-method study design, 191 administrative staff were randomly recruited for quantitative data collection, while qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 5 key informants. The study found a significant prevalence of high blood pressure and obesity: 48.7% of participants had elevated blood pressure, 17.3% had high blood pressure, 35.6% were overweight, and 11.5% were obese. However, no functional workplace health promotion policy was available to address these health issues at the time of the study. The authors recommend adopting the integrative workplace health promotion model to develop policies and programs to reduce the risk of hypertension and obesity among university staff. They conclude that prioritizing such health promotion policies is necessary to address these growing concerns and improve the health outcomes of workers.The International Labour Organization (ILO) recommends the engagement of the world of work in providing comprehensive and effective prevention strategy for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Workers are at risk of developing 1 or more cases of NCDs due to their exposure to risk factors at work. The ILO suggests that the work-related risk factors can be prevented by improving working conditions and integration of workplace health promotion programs. Workplace health promotion policies promote workers general health, improve working environment, work practices, and reduces the risks of common NCDs including hypertension (high blood pressure) and obesity among employees. A number of studies have described the increasing trends of hypertension and obesity among civil servants but are limited in assessing the availability and effectiveness of workplace health promotion policies to address them. We assessed the availability and effectiveness of workplace health promotion policy to address the prevalence of high blood pressure in a public university in the Northern Region of Ghana. Using a mixed method study design, 191 administrative staff were recruited and in-depth qualitative interviews conducted among 5 key informants. The study found significant number of participants with elevated and high blood pressure and overweight and obesity with no functional workplace health promotion at the time of the study. We therefore recommend the prioritization and development of a workplace health policy to reduce the prevalence of high blood pressure and obesity among staff of the university using the integrative workplace health promotion model.enArticle