ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the cumulative noise exposure( CNE) and prevalence of hypertension in iron and steel production workers. METHODS: By convenience sampling method,2 253 workers,whose workplace in an iron and steel enterprise with wet bulb globe temperature index less than 25. 0 ℃,were selected as study subjects. The blood pressure and workplace noise exposure level were measured. According to the equal energy principle,the normalized continuous A-weighted sound pressure level equivalent to an 8 h-working-day and workers' length of service were used to calculate the CNE level. The workers with CNE≥75 d B( A) ·year were regarded as the exposure group,and those with CNE < 75 d B( A) ·year were deemed as the control group. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of hypertension in the exposure group was higher than that of the control group( 32. 3% vs 21. 5%,P < 0. 01). With the increased CNE level,the prevalence rate of hypertension increased( P < 0. 01). The multiple logistic regression analysis results showed that the prevalence risk of hypertension disputed an upward trend of the dose-response relationship following the increasing CNE among the iron and steel production workers( P < 0. 01) after controlling the confounding factors of age,body mass index,educational background,family history of hypertension,smoking,alcohol drinking,salt intake,fried barbecue food intake and so on. CONCLUSION: CNE is a vital factor which influences hypertension prevalence in iron and steel production workers. Strengthen the noise protection is helpful for the prevention and treatment of hypertension in the steel workers.