Linkages between occupation and elevated blood pressure among men in India: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES The study aims to examine the linkages between occupation and elevated blood pressure among men aged 25-54 years in India. METHODS The study is based on the National Family Health Survey India, 2015-16. Age-standardized prevalence rates, χ2 tests and multivariable ordered logistic regression models were used to fulfill the study objectives. RESULTS In India, more than five out of hundred men of age group 25-54 years are suffering from moderately or severely elevated blood pressure levels. The findings depict an occupation wise inequality in the elevated blood pressure levels. Men belonging to professional-managerial-technical (PR = 6.42 per 100 men) and sales (PR = 6.10 per 100 men) occupational groups are facing a much higher burden. From the fitted multivariable ordered logistic models, we found that highly educated-unemployed and married-unemployed men were found to be at higher risk of elevated blood pressure levels. CONCLUSIONS The study found linkages between the occupation of men and elevated blood pressure levels in India. Urgent attention is needed to the vulnerable occupational groups like professional-technical-managerial, clerical, and sales with a special focus to the unemployed cohort of the country.