Improving awareness rates of hypertension among blue-collar workers in alexandria

Hypertension is the commonest disabling cardiovascular disorder among adults in their productive age period, both in high and low income countries. Occupational health services present a golden chance for accessibility to health promotion programs of workers. This study is designed to assess awareness rates of hypertension and its risk factors during the routine periodic medical examination of blue-collar workers in some industrial sectors in Alexandria, Egypt. Methods: A cross-sectional study comprised a random representative sample from male blue-collar workers (n= 1000) at three different sectors: textile, metallurgic and food industries. All participants are subjected to a questionnaire about history of hypertension, knowledge of its risk factors and its life style related practices. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements are performed according to JNC7 2003 Guidelines by trained nurses. Results show an overall high rate of hypertension (33%) with low rates of awareness of being hypertensive, of receiving treatment and of achieving control among the diseased cases (38, 28 and 15% respectively). Rates of hypertension in textile and metallurgic workers are higher than rates at food industry workers (p<0.05). Lack of regular blood pressure measurement, high salt intake, lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking, stress and inadequate training on prevention of work related hazards seem to be the determinant factors for unawareness of hypertension. In conclusion, integration of standardized blood pressure measurement with the routine periodic medical examination will help detection of new cases of hypertension. The approach of total workers' health appears to be suitable for developing countries in this respect.