Institutional Health Mapping among Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff: A Cross-Sectional Study Assessing Lifestyle, Workplace Factors, and Health Risks

Background

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are increasingly driven by lifestyle and occupational factors, particularly in academic environments where staff experience varying workloads, sedentary patterns, and role-specific stressors. Systematic health mapping can help identify early risk indicators and guide preventive interventions.

Objectives

To map the health status of teaching and non-teaching staff using a multidimensional health-mapping tool and to analyse the relationship between lifestyle behaviours, workplace characteristics and overall health-risk levels.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional health-mapping study was conducted among 104 staff members of an academic institution. A structured questionnaire assessed lifestyle behaviours, hydration patterns, sleep, physical activity, symptoms, medication practices and perceived institutional support. Basic vitals (BMI, blood pressure and random blood glucose) were recorded. Participants were categorised into low, moderate and high health-risk groups. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to examine associations and identify predictors of elevated risk.

Results

Short sleep duration, inadequate water intake, physical inactivity and irregular meal timings were significantly associated with moderate and high-risk categories. Musculoskeletal discomfort, persistent tiredness and the perception that work negatively affects health were more common among higher-risk groups. Elevated BMI showed notable clustering in higher-risk participants, while blood pressure and glucose trends indicated early metabolic changes. Logistic regression identified physical inactivity, short sleep and overweight status as independent predictors of elevated risk.

Conclusion

Modifiable lifestyle behaviours and workplace-related factors play a decisive role in determining health-risk status among academic staff. Structured health mapping offers a practical, preventive approach for institutions to design targeted wellness initiatives.