Other Titles
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Chronic Illness Among Staff Attending the Virtual Employee Wellness Clinic at KFSHRC-J [Title Slide]
Abstract
Background: Chronic diseases (CDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity represent a major public health concern globally and nationally. In Saudi Arabia, one-third of adults are affected, and the economic cost exceeds $24 billion annually. Despite ongoing national efforts, limited evidence exists regarding the prevalence and risk profile of chronic diseases among healthcare workers (HCWs)—a group exposed to unique occupational stressors and lifestyle risks.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of chronic diseases, modifiable risk factors, and preventive screening uptake among HCWs attending the Virtual Employee Wellness Clinic at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre – Jeddah (KFSHRC-J).
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using clinical records of HCWs (n = 829) who attended the Virtual Employee Wellness Clinic between February and June 2025. Complete data from 401 participants were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Variables included demographic factors, BMI, blood pressure, HbA1c, LDL, smoking status, and participation in Pap smear, mammogram, and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) screenings.
Results: Nearly half of the participants (45–50%) had at least one NCD risk factor. Abnormal BMI was most prevalent (24.9%), followed by smoking (11.5%), elevated blood pressure (3.5%), and abnormal HbA1c (0.8%). Males exhibited significantly higher rates of both abnormal BMI (p = 0.040) and smoking (p = 0.014) compared with females. Administrative staff and nurses demonstrated the highest obesity prevalence, likely linked to sedentary work and shift-related stress. Among eligible female staff, 9.6% had abnormal Pap smear results, 7.8% showed abnormal mammogram findings, and 6.7% had abnormal FIT results.
Notes
Presenter notes available in attached slide deck.
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, July 21). About chronic diseases. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/about/index.html.
2. Hacker, K. (2024). The burden of chronic disease. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes, 8(1), 112–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2023.08.005
3. Aldakhil, S. H., Alromaih, Y., Aljuaylan, N., Alkhalaf, G. A., Alharbi, A., & Alsaud, J. S. (2025). Prevalence of chronic diseases in residents of the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia: A community-based cross-sectional study. Cureus, 17(4), e81735. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.81735.
4. Alessy, S. A., Alodhayani, A. A., Alyabsi, M., & Alharbi, A. (2022). The burden of non-communicable diseases in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review. Saudi Journal of Health Sciences, 11(3), 181–187. https://doi.org/10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_6_22.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Lead Author Affiliation
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Workforce, Primary Care, Public and Community Health, Employee Health Promotion, Chronic Disease Risk Factors, Medical Personnel, Chronic Diseases
Recommended Citation
Alsanea, Elham Mansour, "Prevalence and Risk Factor of Chronic Illnesses Among Staff Attending Employee Wellness Clinic" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 19.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/19
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-22
Prevalence and Risk Factor of Chronic Illnesses Among Staff Attending Employee Wellness Clinic
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Background: Chronic diseases (CDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity represent a major public health concern globally and nationally. In Saudi Arabia, one-third of adults are affected, and the economic cost exceeds $24 billion annually. Despite ongoing national efforts, limited evidence exists regarding the prevalence and risk profile of chronic diseases among healthcare workers (HCWs)—a group exposed to unique occupational stressors and lifestyle risks.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of chronic diseases, modifiable risk factors, and preventive screening uptake among HCWs attending the Virtual Employee Wellness Clinic at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre – Jeddah (KFSHRC-J).
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using clinical records of HCWs (n = 829) who attended the Virtual Employee Wellness Clinic between February and June 2025. Complete data from 401 participants were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Variables included demographic factors, BMI, blood pressure, HbA1c, LDL, smoking status, and participation in Pap smear, mammogram, and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) screenings.
Results: Nearly half of the participants (45–50%) had at least one NCD risk factor. Abnormal BMI was most prevalent (24.9%), followed by smoking (11.5%), elevated blood pressure (3.5%), and abnormal HbA1c (0.8%). Males exhibited significantly higher rates of both abnormal BMI (p = 0.040) and smoking (p = 0.014) compared with females. Administrative staff and nurses demonstrated the highest obesity prevalence, likely linked to sedentary work and shift-related stress. Among eligible female staff, 9.6% had abnormal Pap smear results, 7.8% showed abnormal mammogram findings, and 6.7% had abnormal FIT results.
Description
The findings reveal a substantial burden of modifiable NCD risk factors and low cancer screening uptake among HCWs, underscoring the importance of institutional wellness programs. Integrating structured, gender-sensitive prevention and screening initiatives into occupational health systems may enhance early detection, improve workforce well-being, and align with Saudi Vision 2030 preventive health priorities.