Association of workplace and population characteristics with prevalence of hypertension among Brazilian industry workers: a multilevel analysis

Abstract

BackgroundExposure to risk factors for hypertension may be influenced by the characteristics of the workplace, where workers spend most of their daily time.ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between features of the companies, particularly the presence of facilities to provide meals, and of population characteristics and the prevalence of hypertension, taking into account individual risk factors for hypertension.Material and methodsThis multilevel analysis was based on a cross-sectional study with individual and company data from the SESI (Serviço Social da Indústria–Social Service of Industries) study and population-based data from the national census statistics. Workers aged ≥15 years were randomly selected from small (20–99), medium (100–499) and large (≥500 employees) companies per state using multistage sampling. Logistic regression was used to analyse the association between hypertension and individual, workplace and population variables, with odds ratios (ORs; 95% CI) adjusted for three-level variables.Results4818 Workers from 157 companies were interviewed and their blood pressure, weight and height were measured. Overall, 77% were men, aged 35.4 ±10.7 years, with 8.7 ±4.1 years of schooling and mostly worked in companies with a staff canteen (66%). Besides individual characteristics—being male, ageing, low schooling, alcohol abuse and higher BMI—a workplace with no staff canteen (OR=1.28; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.52), small companies (OR=1.31; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.60) and living in cities with higher economic inequality (OR=1.47; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.76) were associated with a higher risk for hypertension.ConclusionAmong Brazilian workers, the prevalence of hypertension is associated with individual risk factors, lack of a canteen at the workplace, small companies and higher economic inequalities of cities. These three-level characteristics help to interpret differences in the prevalence of hypertension between regions or countries.

Hypertension among Mississippi Workers by Sociodemographic Characteristics and Occupation, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

“…The increased likelihood of having hypertension by age, race, and obesity status is consistent with previous research [ 12 ]. In addition, in the Jackson Heart Study cohort, mean systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure levels increased with age [ 13 ], and obesity is associated increased incidence of hypertension [ 14 ].…”

“…Age, race, and obesity status were associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension, as were specific occupational categories, such as installation, repair, maintenance, and production occupation groups. e increased likelihood of having hypertension by age, race, and obesity status is consistent with previous research [12]. In addition, in the Jackson Heart Study cohort, mean systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure levels increased with age [13], and obesity is associated increased incidence of hypertension [14].…”

Health-Risk Transition and 8-Year Hypertension Incidence in a Nationwide Thai Cohort Study

“…In a Korean cohort females had a higher risk but the sex differential was not significant (J. H. Lee et al, 2011). Men had a significantly higher risk of hypertension than women in cross-sectional studies in the US (Owolabi et al, 2017), China (Gao et al, 2013;Huang et al, 2017;Liu et al, 2014;Yang et al, 2015), Brazil (Vinholes et al, 2017) and Malaysia (Abdul-Razak et al, 2016). In contrast, other cross-sectional studies have reported no sex difference in the US (Ong et al, 2007), Malaysia (Rashid & Azizah, 2011), and Morocco (Berraho et al, 2012) and in Pakistan females had higher rates (Shafi & Shafi, 2017).…”

Long-term effect of the Brazilian Workers’ Food Program on the nutritional status of manufacturing workers: A population-based prospective cohort study

“…Other studies that evaluated the nutritional status of workers from companies adherent to the WFP also found high prevalence of overweight and obesity [23,24]. In a cross-sectional study of 292 workers from industries adherent to the WFP located in the State of Paraná, southern Brazil, whose main objective was to verify whether the nutritional composition of the meals consumed at work correlated with energy intake and nutritional status of the workers, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 47% in women and 61% in men, with 21.2% showing increased WC and 14.1% much increased WC.…”