The Prevalence of Hypertension and Obesity in Iranian  Professional Drivers

Akbar  Nikpajouh; Feridoun  Noohi; Mokhtar  Malakpour; Majid  Tajik; Amir  Mahmoudzadeh; Peyman  Moghadam; Mahmood  Salesi; Mehdi  Raei; Mohammad Amin  Shahrbaf

doi:10.18502/ijph.v52i10.13855

Akbar Nikpajouh Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Feridoun Noohi Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mokhtar Malakpour Shakhes Pajouh Research Institute of Engineering Natural Disaster, Faculty of Management, Tehran, Iran
Majid Tajik Shakhes Pajouh Research Institute of Engineering Natural Disaster, Faculty of Management, Tehran, Iran
Amir Mahmoudzadeh Shakhes Pajouh Research Institute of Engineering Natural Disaster, Faculty of Management, Tehran, Iran
Peyman Moghadam Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, Tehran, Iran
Mahmood Salesi Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehdi Raei Life Style Institute, Military Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Amin Shahrbaf Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v52i10.13855

Keywords: Occupational health; Preventive medicine; Hypertension; Overweight; Obesity; Iran

Abstract

Background: Professional driving is associated with overworking, lack of physical activity, and high stress, which are susceptible to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and obesity in Iranian professional drivers.

Methods: Overall, 132,452 drivers were included by census sampling methods and those who did not pass periodic examinations were excluded. Demographics and anthropometric data, including height and weight and the driver's blood pressure, were recorded. The criteria for hypertension assumed as the systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mm and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80 mm, and the criteria for prehypertension assumed as 120–129 systolic and < 80 mm Hg. In addition, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 is assumed as overweight, and BMI ≥ 30 is assumed as obesity.

Results: Overall, 113,856 male drivers were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of HTN, pre-HTN, and abnormal blood pressure (HTN + pre-HTN) was calculated to be 14.2%, 57.4%, and 71.6%, respectively. Khuzestan, West Azerbaijan, and Yazd had the most prevalence of abnormal blood pressure. The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and abnormal weight (overweight + obesity) was calculated to be 50.9%, 22.6%, and 73.5%, respectively, and the northwest provinces had the highest prevalence of abnormal weight.

Conclusion: Professional Iranian drivers have a high prevalence of abnormal blood pressure and weight associated with job-related risk factors. Preventive measures should be taken to confront a possible outbreak of CVDs in this population.