Occupational differences, cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle habits in South Eastern rural Australia

Nathalie Davis-Lameloise,Tiina Laatikainen,Erkki A Vartiainen,Edward D Janus,James A Dunbar,Benjamin Philpot,Vincent L Versace

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-1090

Abstract

BackgroundIn rural and remote Australia, cardiovascular mortality and morbidity rates are higher than metropolitan rates.This study analysed cardiovascular and other chronic disease risk factors and related health behaviours by occupational status, to determine whether agricultural workers have higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk than other rural workers.MethodsCross-sectional surveys in three rural regions of South Eastern Australia (2004-2006). A stratified random sample of 1001 men and women aged 25-74 from electoral rolls were categorised by occupation into agricultural workers (men = 214, women = 79), technicians (men = 123), managers (men = 148, women = 272) and ‘home duties’ (women = 165). Data were collected from self-administered questionnaire, physical measurements and laboratory tests. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk were assessed by Framingham 5 years risk calculation.ResultsAmongst men, agricultural workers had higher occupational physical activity levels, healthier more traditional diet, lower alcohol consumption, lower fasting plasma glucose, the lowest proportion of daily smokers and lower age-adjusted 5 year CVD and CHD risk scores.Amongst women, managers were younger with higher HDL cholesterol, lower systolic blood pressure, less hypertension, lower waist circumference, less self-reported diabetes and better 5 year CVD and CHD risk scores.Agricultural workers did not have higher cardiovascular disease risk than other occupational groups.ConclusionsPrevious studies have suggested that farmers have higher risks of cardiovascular disease but this is because the risk has been compared with non-rural populations. In this study, the comparison has been made with other rural occupations. Cardiovascular risk reduction programs are justified for all. Programs tailored only for agricultural workers are unwarranted.

Highlights

In rural and remote Australia, cardiovascular mortality and morbidity rates are higher than metropolitan rates
People living in rural and remote Australia are frequently reported as having higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and morbidity, and worse risk factor profiles [1]
In Australia, farmers and agricultural workers have been reported as having higher death and cardiovascular disease morbidity rates than other men [4]

Summary

Introduction

In rural and remote Australia, cardiovascular mortality and morbidity rates are higher than metropolitan rates. People living in rural and remote Australia are frequently reported as having higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and morbidity, and worse risk factor profiles [1]. A similar trend exists when comparing manual workers with non-manual workers, with the former exhibiting 60% higher ischaemic heart disease mortality rates [3]. This has been associated with lower levels of education, lower incomes and poorer access to health services [2], and with working in industries such as agriculture, mining, forestry and fishing [3]. In Australia, farmers and agricultural workers have been reported as having higher death and cardiovascular disease morbidity rates than other men [4]. In one Swedish study [8], the authors suggested that the difference was not so much between urban and rural settings but more between farmers and other occupations in rural areas

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion