The Prevalence and Predictors of Hypertension and the Metabolic Syndrome in Police Personnel

Abstract

Hypertension and metabolic syndrome (METSYN) are reportedly high in police forces. This may contribute to health deterioration and absenteeism in police personnel. Police forces comprise of staff in ‘operational’ and ‘non-operational’ job types but it is not known if job type is associated to hypertension and METSYN prevalence. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of hypertension and METSYN, the factors associated with the risk of hypertension and METSYN, and compare physiological, psychological, and behavioural factors between operational and non-operational police personnel. Cross-sectional data was collected from 77 operational and 60 non-operational police workers. Hypertension and METSYN were prevalent in 60.5% and 20% of operational and 60.0% and 13.6% of non-operational police personnel, respectively (p > 0.05). Operational job type, moderate organisational stress (compared with low stress) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with lower odds of hypertension, whereas increasing body mass index was associated with increased odds of hypertension (p < 0.05). None of the independent variables were significantly associated with the odds of METSYN. Operational police had several increased cardiometabolic risk markers compared with non-operational police. Given the high prevalence of hypertension and METSYN in operational and non-operational personnel, occupational health interventions are needed for the police and could be informed by the findings of this study.

Assessment of eight insulin resistance surrogate indexes for predicting metabolic syndrome and hypertension in Thai law enforcement officers

“…The demanding nature of law enforcement work puts officers at an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. The high-stress levels and irregular work schedules that police officers often face can lead to poor dietary choices, lack of physical activity, and disrupted sleep patterns ( Yates et al, 2021 ). Additionally, law enforcement officers are more likely to engage in cigarette and alcohol usage, prolonged duty hours and frequent night shifts result in continuous secretion of catecholamine, leading to elevated blood pressure and MetS ( Chauhan et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Additionally, law enforcement officers are more likely to engage in cigarette and alcohol usage, prolonged duty hours and frequent night shifts result in continuous secretion of catecholamine, leading to elevated blood pressure and MetS ( Chauhan et al, 2022 ). Police personnel reportedly have a high prevalence of hypertension and MetS, which further contributes to their health deterioration and unavailability for duty ( Yates et al, 2021 ). Recent studies conducted in Thailand have shown that law enforcement officers have a higher prevalence of MetS compared to the general population, with rising rates of overweight or obesity and associated hypertension among military personnel ( Gurung et al, 2023 ; Napradit et al, 2007 ).…”

Higher cardiovascular risks and Atherogenic Index of Plasma found in police officers of developing country in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

“…23 Moreover, another study showed that operational police had a higher cardiovascular risk compared to non-operational police. 33 This is slightly different in the study by Strauss et al, 2020 which stated that there were no significant differences in HDL-C, TG, blood pressure, and BMI between female police officers and office workers. 34…”

Hypertension and diabetes mellitus: a systematic review of the distribution, prevalence and its associated factors among police officers and security agents

“…31 HTN and DM were still high among these working groups. 20,26,[32][33][34][35] A significantly higher prevalence (32.5%) of hypertension was observed among police officers compared to other civilians in India. 20 In Africa, high blood pressure was discovered in 68.82% of soldiers in Conakry, Guinea.…”