Occupational status and cardiovascular risk factors in primary health care setting in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular diseases [CVD] are major health problem in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. Many studies in KSA were carried out to explore the distribution and determinants of this health problem. Till now there was no study tried to investigate its relation with the occupational status though the previous literature from other regions of the world proved a strong relationship. The study aims at identifying the association between CVD risk factors and main occupation among consumers of primary health care [PHC] system in Riyadh [KSA]. A representative sample of 1252 persons from the total who were registered and having a complete file in the PHC centers were subjected to a battery of a structured questionnaire, clinical examination and laboratory investigations to explore the current status of CVD risk factors and their association with occupation. A statistically significant associations were detected between the main job title and the prevalence of high total cholesterol level, increased fasting blood sugar, high systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index and smoking. Military and police occupational group show the best biochemical and clinical profiles, while housewives show the worst. Significant associations were detected between the occupational category and CVD risk factors being better among high and physically active categories and worsen among low and less physically active occupational groups. More studies are needed to explore the details of occupational exposures and stressors for purposes of specific prevention and control