Wanna Snongdech. Relationship between selected factors and blood pressure among crew at the Port Authority of Thailand . Master's Degree(Public Health Nursing). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2003.
Relationship between selected factors and blood pressure among crew at the Port Authority of Thailand
Abstract:
Hypertension, a life–style behavior and work-related disease, is the most common
complication of cardiovascular disease. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the working
population. According to the annual health report (2001), a high incidence rate of hypertension
among crew men at the Port Authority of Thailand was reported. This cross–sectional descriptive
research was conducted to examine the relationship between selected factors, including personal
characteristics, risk behavior, stress, occupational factors and high blood pressure. Subjects were
interviewed for their demographic and working conditions. Then they were assessed for their
blood pressure level, weight and height. Daily stress, job stress and noise perception were measured
by a self-administered. The data were analyzed using Chi-square and Univariate analysis.
The prevalence of hypertension was 30.7/100 persons. The average level of systolic and
diastolic blood pressure was 132 mm Hg (SD=21.8 ) and 89.6 mm Hg (SD=13.1). Results showed
relationships between high blood pressure and age of 51-59 years (OR=4.36, 95% CI 1.97-11.1),
drinking more than 360 ml beer per day (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.24-6.5), excessive alcohol drinking
(OR=1.8, 95% CI 1.02–3.4), exercise behavior (OR= 0.2, 95% CI 0.45–0.9), working longer than 60
hours (χ2=3.67, p=0.05). Salt intake (χ2= 1.09, p=0.06) and decision latitude (χ2= 3.5, p=0.06) had a
non – significant relationship with high blood pressure.
The findings suggest regular hypertension screening in order to detect hypertension at an
early particularly among crew aged 40-59 years. Intervention should be done to minimize risk factors
for hypertension. Although most crew (58.9%) considered their job as passive and low stress, the
findings indicated that work condition improvements such as reducing work shifts and the number
of working hours per week, should be considered.