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

Abstract

The study aims to examine the linkages between occupation and elevated blood pressure among men aged 25-54years in India. 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. In India, more than five out ofhundred men of age group 25-54years 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. 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 aspecialfocusto the unemployed cohortof the country.