Assessment of Occupational Stress and Hypertension among Railway Loco Pilots and Division Controllers; A Cross-sectional Research

Abstract

Introduction: As one of the high-stress positions in Indian Railways, loco pilots were the subject of a cross-sectional investigation on occupational stress in 2020. A comparative cross-sectional research investigation on occupational stress was subsequently carried out in 2022 among section controllers, another high-stress position held by Indian Railways. The studies' main goal was to evaluate and contrast workplace stress and hypertension. In 2020, 230 loco pilots participated in a cross-sectional study on occupational stress and hypertension, and in 2011, 82 section controllers participated in a comparative cross-sectional investigation. Materials and Methods: A 24-item, closed-ended survey on occupational stress was given out. Systolic blood pressure above 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure above 90 mmHg were considered as hypertension as per the VII Joint National Committee. Chi-square test and t-test were used for testing significance at P < 0.05. Results: The average stress score for loco pilots was 8.56, compared to 7.32 for section controllers. 49 loco pilots (21.3% of all loco pilots) had more than 12 stressors, and 7 (8.5%) section controllers had more than 12 stressors. There were 30 (32%) workers in the goods category, 12 (12%) in the mail/passenger category, 7 (19%) in the shunter group, 3 (11%) in the supervisory group, and 4 (7%), in the on-board group known as section controllers, who had more than 12 stress factors. The prevalence of hypertension was 36.52% (84) for loco pilots and 53.66% (44) for division controllers. In a group with more than 12 stress variables, the prevalence of hypertension was 30.61% (15) in loco pilots and 28.57% (2) in section controllers. In both study groups, those who were older, had a family history of the condition, and had a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2 had a higher prevalence of hypertension. The group of loco pilots had higher mean occupational stress and personnel with more than 12 stress variables. Loco pilots in the commodities category experienced the most stress. The risk factors for hypertension in this group were older age, a history of the condition in the family, and a BMI of greater than 25 kg/m2.