Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among Chinese working population: results of a workplace-based study

Abstract

We investigated the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and the related risk factors among Chinese working population. From 2012 to 2013, a total of 37,856 employees aged 18–60 years from 61 workplaces were sampled. Standard questionnaire surveys and physical examinations were undertaken. Multilevel logistic regression models were performed to identify the risk factors. Overall, the age-standardized prevalence of hypertension was 23.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.9%–23.7%). Among the hypertensives, 47.8% (95% CI: 46.8%–48.8%) were aware of their condition, 20.6% (95% CI: 19.8%–21.4%) were in treatment, but only 8.5% (95% CI: 7.9%–9.1%) had controlled hypertension. White-collar employees had a lower odds of hypertension compared with the blue-collar (odds ratio: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.71–0.84), whereas the state-owned enterprise employees had a higher odds compared with their private enterprise counterparts (odds ratio: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.07–2.65). Lower awareness and treatment were associated with being younger, higher education, and those from workplace without affiliated hospital. Higher occupation status individuals were more likely to be treated but no sign of better control. There is substantial room for improvement in hypertension diagnosis and treatment among the employees. Effective intervention programs are urgently needed at the workplaces.