Prevalence and predisposing factors for self-reported hypertension in Bhutanese adults

Background: Bhutan underwent a nutrition transition in the last two decades. Diet has changed from high-fibre, high carbohydrate and low-fat diets to food with high sugar, fat, salt and processed foods. This is further compounded by a sedentary lifestyle. This paper aims to determine the national prevalence of hypertension and study the associated correlates in Bhutanese adults. Materials and Methods: This study used secondary data from the Bhutan National Health Survey 2012 (NHS, 2012) which was a nationwide survey covering all 20 districts in Bhutan. The dependent variable was self-reported hypertension under medication. Multivariable logistic regression was undertaken to identify independent correlates of hypertension. Results: The national prevalence of hypertension was 17.4% (5,408). Risk factors for hypertension were female sex, increasing age, occupation of armed forces, manager, technician, service and sales worker, machine operator and monks, diabetes, and feeling worried. Being single was negatively correlated with hypertension. In addition, hypertension is negatively associated with the poverty of the district. Conclusion: Hypertension was associated with age, being women, occupation with less physical activity, being worried and having diabetes. The preventive measures both at community and healthcare facility-based through cost-effective strategies should target these covariates.

P.1.20 Trends in prevalence of obesity according to occupational group: the korean national health and nutrition examination survey

ObjectivesThis study was designed to provide recent trends of obesity among workers in Korea, and identify whether there was difference across occupational group.MethodsWe used data from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination survey phase I to VI (1998–2015) to analyze trends in prevalence of obesity in Korean adult workers. Obesity was defined as a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or higher. Occupation was classified into 3 groups; a) non-manual worker, b) service/sales worker, c) manual worker.ResultDuring the period from KNHANES phase I to VI, the prevalence of obesity in male workers increased in all occupations as a whole (31.1% to 39.5% in manual worker, 32.3% to 38.2% in service/sales worker, 25.3% to 39.7% in manual worker). In contrast, female workers did not show a particular tendency except for a significantly decreasing in the prevalence rate in service/sales workers (30.8% to 23.9%, p for trend 0.0048).ConclusionsThe trends of obesity prevalence by gender and occupation were different. Especially for male manual-workers, the prevalence rate has increased steadily during the period, while it has decreased steadily in female sales/service workers. These results can be used to select vulnerable groups that can be applied to obesity prevention programs first.