Assessment of Oxidative Stress Level among Academic and Non-Academic Staff of Federal University Wukari

Abstract

Occupational stressors in university settings may influence the balance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses. This study compared oxidative stress biomarkers and perceived stress between academic and non-academic staff at Federal University Wukari, Nigeria, and explored related lifestyle and occupational factors. A cross-sectional analytical study involved 120 randomly selected participants, comprising 60 academic and 60 non-academic staff. Blood samples were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). A structured questionnaire incorporated the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), lifestyle and health behavior items, and occupational stressor assessments adapted from the Job Content Questionnaire and Effort–Reward Imbalance model. Body mass index and blood pressure were also recorded. Data were analyzed using independent-samples t-tests and Pearson correlation in SPSS version 25. Academic staff exhibited significantly higher MDA concentrations than non-academic staff (4.21 ± 0.65 versus 3.48 ± 0.59 µmol/L). SOD and GPx activities were lower among academic staff, while mean perceived stress scores were higher (28.5 versus 22.1). Perceived stress was positively correlated with MDA concentrations (r = .62, p < .01). Poor sleep and irregular meals were more prevalent among academic staff, whereas smoking and alcohol use were more prevalent among non-academic staff. Academic staff also reported more pronounced time pressure, perceived reward inadequacy, and interpersonal conflict. Overall, academic staff exhibited higher oxidative and perceived stress alongside distinct lifestyle and occupational stressor profiles. These findings provide comparative evidence to inform targeted institutional programs addressing stress management, work–life balance, and healthy lifestyle practices across university staff roles.