Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. There is
evidence of the rising incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases of lifestyle in
developing countries. Physical activity has been regarded as a commonly accepted
modality for treating hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine if physical
activity levels are associated with hypertension among employees of Kigali Institute
Science and Technology in Kigali, Rwanda. A quantitative, cross- sectional design was
used and all staff members (325 employees) of Kigali Institute of Science and
Technology (KIST) represented the study population. Random sampling was used to
determine the study sample. Data was collected by means of a self-administered
questionnaire adopted from The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software
version 15.0. Descriptive statistics using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard
deviations and inferential statistics using Chi-square tests were employed. The data were
presented with use of tables, figures, graphs, and pie charts. Ethical issues including
obtaining permission for conducting the study, informed consent, anonymity,
confidentiality, voluntary participation, and the right to withdraw from the study was
observed in this study. The study found a prevalence of 34% participants with
hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was associated with age, smoking, drinking
alcohol, suffering for diabetes mellitus, and body mass index (BMI). Over one-fifth of the
participants in the physically active group were hypertensive while 68% of the iii
participants in the physically inactive group were hypertensive. This study shows that
hypertension status is strongly associated with physical activity levels [X² = 20.381 with
(P<0.001)]. The study further showed that smoking and suffering from diabetes mellitus
were also associated with levels of physical activity (P = 0.003 and p = 0.004
respectively). The current study concludes that physical activity is needed for employees
at Kigali Institute of Science and Technology as part of preventive measures for chronic
diseases of lifestyle. Therefore, the recommendations were proposed to various categories
of people and stakeholders to be actively involved in the promotion of physical activity
among employees of Kigali Universities in Rwanda