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RESULTS

In present study, among 270 subjects, majority were of age group 31-40 years (36.76 %) followed by 41-50 years (29.19%), male (68.38 %), clerical staff (75.41 %), from public sector (31.89 %). Prevalence of hypertension was 32.97 % (122 subjects). Among hypertensive subjects majority were of age group 41-50 years (38.89 %) followed by 31-40 years (22.79 %), male (34.39 %), managerial staff (63.16 %), from private sector (44.19 %).

Table 1: Prevalence of hypertension

In present study, hypertension was more common in BMI > 30 kg/m² (82.76 %), followed by BMI 25- 30 kg/m² (56.58 %). Major co-morbidities were diabetes (53.49 %) and family history of hypertension (67.19 %) noted among hypertensive subjects. High incidence of addictions such as smoking (57.63 %), smokeless tobacco use (61.54 %), alcohol use (67.44 %) was noted among hypertensive subjects. Dietary habits such as adding extra salt while eating food (53.42 %) , eating foods with high salt content (53.57 %), eating junk food (70.49 %), eating fruits <7 servings/week (40.86 %) noted among hypertensive subjects. Nil Physical activity was common among hypertensive subjects (47.83 %), while very high stress level (74.47 %) was noted among hypertensive subjects.

Table 2: Prevalence of HTN according to the studied risk factors (n=192).

DISCUSSION

Important work related factors such as economic market globalization, automation, outsourcing, job insecurity, long working hours, usage of computer screen for prolonged periods of time, increasing competition and multifunctional task are significantly reshaping bank employees’ lives professionally as well as personally. In a study by Chataut J et al.,⁸ among 416 bank employees of Kathmandu district, prevalence of hypertension was found to be 11.3%. Of the 47 participants with hypertension, 40(85.1%) were known cases while 7(14.9%) were newly diagnosed. Age, gender, marital status, overweight (BMI ≥25), smoking, alcohol consumption, having diabetes, and family history of -hypertension were found to have significant association with hypertension in univariate analysis. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that gender, having diabetes and physical activity had independent and significant association with hypertension. In a similar study, Shekhar S et al.,⁹ from 577 bank employees working in an urban area of Marathwada region, Maharashtra, noted that 32.4% of subjects were hypertensive. Association of higher age group and managerial cadre of employment were found to be statistically significant. Ismail IM et al.,¹⁰ 117 bank employees including 18 managers/assistant managers, 33 offi cers and 66 clerks participated in the study. The prevalence of hypertension was 39.3%. Increasing age, family history of hypertension, body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 and abnormal waist-hip ratio were significantly more frequent among the hypertensive than normotensive population. Momin MH et al.,¹¹ studied 1493 bank employees of Surat city, prevalence of hypertension was 30.4% and prehypertension was 34.5%. Out of 455 found as hypertensive, 258 (56.70%) were not having any symptoms at the time of examination. Prevalence was high among persons with age 50 years and above (48.5%); among male (32.5%) as compared to female (23.1%); among employees having small family size; among separated/divorcee person (40.0%). Prevalence of hypertension increased with seniority of the offi cial position of bank employee with highest prevalence among managers (45.9%). Prevalence of hypertension was noted highest among the higher socioeconomic group; SEC I (35.0%) followed by class II (20.4%). In study by Savani NM et al.,¹² out of 800 employees, prevalence of hypertension was found 30.4% including 7.6% self reported and 22.8% detected in the study. Highest prevalence of hypertension was reported in 50-59 years age group followed by 20-29 years (26.3%). Hypertension found more among male (90.9%) and work experience less than 10 years (42.8%). Significant association found on assessing risk factors like history of addiction, not doing any physical exercise, obesity, high BMI and hypertension. Ganesh Kumar S et al.,¹³ studied 192 (128 male and 64 female) bank employees from urban Puducherry, India and mean± SD age of the participants was 39.5±10.6 years. The prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension was 44.3% (95% CI: 37.2%–51.3%) and 41.1% (95% CI: 34.1%–48.1%), respectively. Of 85 participants with hypertension, 47 (55%) was known case and 38 (45%) were newly diagnosed. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that living in the 4th (OR: 3.13) or 6th (OR: 3.11) decade of life, consumption of extra salt (OR: 2.49), and physical activity ≥2 hours per day (OR: 0.21) were associated with hypertension among bank employees. In study by Singh O et al.,¹⁴ among 160 male bank employees, generalized obesity and central obesity were found in 9% and 69% subjects, respectively. Nearly half of the subjects were observed to have hypertension and another one-third prehypertension. Nearly 14% subjects had T2DM. Dyslipidemia was observed in this study as high triglycerides (TGs; 10.8%) and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (10%), high total serum cholesterol (5%), and high low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (5%). Significant number of subjects had suboptimal lipid levels. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) was found to be 38%. Hypertension is a silent killer, because people who have it are often symptom free or unaware of the disease. There is a need for strengthening adoption of certain interventional measures in lifestyle such as reducing salt intake, weight reduction and promoting physical activity among this vulnerable group should be encouraged. Once identified, elevated BP should be monitored at regular intervals because it is a lifelong disease.

CONCLUSION

Age > 40 years, male gender, managerial staff, private sector employee, BMI > 25 kg/m^{2 ,} pre-existing diabetes, family history of hypertension, smoking, smokeless tobacco use, alcohol use, less physical activity

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