Linkages between occupation and elevated blood pressure among men in India: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: The study aims to examine the linkages between occupation and elevated blood pressure among men aged 25-54 years in India.

Methods: The study is based on the National Family Health Survey India, 2015-16. Age-standardized prevalence rates, χ² tests and multivariable ordered logistic regression models were used to fulfill the study objectives.

Results: In India, more than five out of hundred men of age group 25-54 years are suffering from moderately or severely elevated blood pressure levels. The findings depict an occupation wise inequality in the elevated blood pressure levels. Men belonging to professional-managerial-technical (PR = 6.42 per 100 men) and sales (PR = 6.10 per 100 men) occupational groups are facing a much higher burden. From the fitted multivariable ordered logistic models, we found that highly educated-unemployed and married-unemployed men were found to be at higher risk of elevated blood pressure levels.

Conclusions: The study found linkages between the occupation of men and elevated blood pressure levels in India. Urgent attention is needed to the vulnerable occupational groups like professional-technical-managerial, clerical, and sales with a special focus to the unemployed cohort of the country.

Keywords: Blood pressure; Elderly; India; Non-communicable diseases; Occupation.