An Epidemiological Study of Hypertension among white Collar Job People of an Urban Area of Western India

Aim: To study epidemiology of hypertension among bank employees of Surat city

Objective:

1) To study magnitude of the problem of hypertension among bank employees.

2) To study determinants of hypertension among bank employees.

Materials and Method: It was a cross sectional study carried out from August, 2004 to September, 2005 among 1493 bank employees (1177 males and 316 females) of Surat city limits, an urban area of South Gujarat. The survey had two principal components: the administration of a questionnaire and clinical examination. Hypertension was defined on the basis of 7th report of Joint National Committee. Chi-square test was applied wherever necessary. Data was analyzed using window excel & epi_6.

Results: Overall prevalence of hypertension was found to be 30.4 %( 455/1493). Among 455(30.4%) hypertensive, only 197(43%) were aware about their hypertensive status and among them 139(70.5%) were on regular treatment. Among the employees who were on regular treatment 71(51%) were having controlled hypertension. As age increased, prevalence of hypertension also increased in both sexes significantly (P<0.001). Prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher among male employees 382(32.5%) as compared to female employees 73(23.1%), (P<0.01); among employees who were adding salt in their cooked food on table was 34.8% (P<0.001); among menopausal female it was 40.7% (22) than non menopausal female 19.4% (51); among female taking oral contraceptive pills it was 28.2% (11) than who were not taking 22.3% (62); among employees having family history of hypertension it was 40.9% (254) (P<0.001). Employees who perceived their health towards better side, prevalence of hypertension was significantly lower among them (P<0.05). Eight percent (8.4 %) employees among hypertensive and 1.8% employees among normotensive had diabetes mellitus.