Prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among bank employees of Sullia Taluk, Karnataka

Abstract

A B S T R A C TBackground: Hypertension is a leading cause of mortality in the world and is ranked third as a cause of disability-adjusted life years. Epidemiological studies have shown that sedentary life-style and stress are important risk factors for hypertension. The job of bank employees is both sedentary and stressful. Studies on hypertension among bank employees are sparse in India; hence, this study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and identify its risk factors in bank employees of Sullia. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among employees of 13 banks located in Sullia. Data was collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Blood pressure was measured following Joint National Committee-7 criteria. Analysis of data was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17. P < 0.05 was considered to be signifi cant. Results: A total of 117 bank employees including 18 managers/assistant managers, 33 offi cers and 66 clerks participated in the study. The prevalence of hypertension was 39.3%. Increasing age, family history of hypertension, body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m 2 and abnormal waist-hip ratio were signifi cantly more frequent among the hypertensive than normotensive population. Conclusion: The bank employees had a high prevalence of hypertension and they must be considered an occupational risk group. We recommend periodic screening for early detection of hypertension in them.

Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among the bank employees of Western Maharashtra – a cross sectional study

“…The similar findings were revealed by other studies conducted in the bank employees. 15,19,20,24,25 Significant association has been found between years of experience and hypertension in a present study and a study by Prashanth et al 16 This may be due the fact that age also increases with years of experience.…”

“…Dietary factors: Similar to current study, the factors like type of diet, eating foods with high salt content, not eating fruits and vegetables daily were not found significantly associated with the hypertension in a study by Ganesh Kumar et al 20 Addition of extra salt while eating food was found significantly associated with hypertension in the study by Ganesh kumar et al and Mohmedirfan et al which is in contrary to the findings in this study and a study by Ismail et al 15,19,20 Mixed diet was found significantly associated with the hypertension in a study by M.H. et al whereas it was not found significantly associated with hypertension in a study by Ismail et al 24,15 Just like Physical activity, dietary changes are also important part of -Non-pharmacological treatment‖ of hypertension.…”

“…But present study (OR=7.468) and other studies in bank employees revealed a statistically significant association between family history of hypertension and hypertension in the individuals. 15,16,19,25 Overweight and central obesity: Significant association has been found between overweight and hypertension but not between central obesity and hypertension in the present study. Also central obesity had higher odds than others and independent association with hypertension though not significant.…”

“…et al whereas it was not found significantly associated with hypertension in a study by Ismail et al 24,15 Just like Physical activity, dietary changes are also important part of -Non-pharmacological treatment‖ of hypertension. 2 Hence many participants might have modified their dietary habits as per the doctor's advice.…”

“…Other studies on bank employees revealed significant association of smoking with hypertension. 15,24 Alcohol was also found significantly associated with hypertension in some of the studies in bank employees. 20,24,25 However it was not found significantly associated with hypertension in present study and the study by Ismail et al 15 Tobacco chewing was found significantly associated with the hypertension in the study by MH et al and Nagammawar et al 24,25 Present study participants contained occasional smokers and irregular tobacco chewers.…”