THE PREVALENCE OF ARTERIAL-HYPERTENSION A ND OTHER CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS IN-HOSPITAL WORKERS

BACKGROUND: The attitude of sanitary workers is essential for the cont rol of arterial hypertension (HT). The aim of the study was to identif y the prevalence of HT and some cardiovascular risk factors in both sa nitary and non-sanitary hospital workers and the knowledge, therapeuti c compliance and control of hypertense individuals. SUBJECTS AND METHO DS: TWO tensional measurements were obtained by using a manometer of m ercury at the beginning and at the end of an epidemiological request. A logistic regression model was obtained to evaluate the association b etween HT and risk factors. RESULTS: One thousand and one individuals (762 females) with a median age of 37.2 years were studied. Prevalence of HT was 9.7%. Men showed a higher age-related prevalence than women (19.7 vs 6.6%, p < 0.001). Body mass index was higher in HT individua ls. Thirty eight per cent of the hospital workers were smokers. HT pre valence increased with alcohol consumption. Sex, mass body index and a ge were significantly associated with HT. Knowledge, therapeutic compl iance and control of HT were 73.2, 19.7 and 28%, respectively, in the total group and 61, 26.3 and 0%, respectively, in the group of physici ans and nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital workers showed a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Inadequate therapeutic and control me asures were observed on both nurses and physicians with high blood pre ssure.