CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTOR PROFILING OF GROUP C EMPLOYEES IN JIPMER, PUDUCHERRY, INDIA

INTRODUCTION: Settings based approach for health promotion includes conducting risk factor surveillance as one of its component. It was aimed to estimate the prevalence of CVD risk factors among group C employees of tertiary care hospital in south India. 

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey  was conducted among 400  group C employees aged ≥ 20 years using the WHO "STEP wise approach to surveillance of Noncommunicable diseases" (STEPS) methodology. Standardized international protocols were used to measure behavioural risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity) and physical characteristics (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, and blood pressure). Multivariate analysis was done to predict the factors which carry independent risk of hypertension. Risk factor profiling of the staff was done using WHO/ISH risk prediction Chart to calculate the 10-year risk of a fatal or nonfatal major cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction or stroke), according to age, gender, blood pressure, smoking status and presence or absence of diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS: Mean age in years was 40.9 (±10.4) and men constituted 81.3% of study population. Prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors was as follows: current smokers 12.3% men, regular alcohol intake 33.2% among men, overweight (≥23 kg/m²) 74.5%, central obesity 78.7%, hypertension 38.8%, and history of  diabetes mellitus 13.2%.  Age, gender, physical inactivity, obesity and family history of hypertension were found to be independently associated with hypertension. The risk of developing CVD was <10% in 10 years follow up for majority (97.7%) of participants.   

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CVD risk factors is high in the sample population. Employee wellness programme should be started in the institute to combat the burden of cardiovascular diseases.