Prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among tea garden and general population in Dibrugarh, Assam, India

ABSTRACT

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease [CVD] are multifactorial. Previous research has reported a high prevalence of CVD risk factors in teagarden workers. This study was conducted to assess prevalence and level of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among tea-garden and general population in Dibrugarh, Assam. A community-based cross-sectional study using the World Health Organization's [WHO] Stepwise methodology was conducted in Dibrugarh District of Assam. A multistep random sampling was done to include adults aged 35 years and above, with an intended equal sampling from tea-garden and general population. INTERHEART modifiable non-laboratory based risk score was estimated. Salt consumption was estimated using questionnaire-based methods in both subgroups. A total of 2826 individuals participated in the study [1231 [43.6%] teagarden workers; 1595 [56.4%] general population]. Tobacco consumption was higher in tea-garden workers as compared with general population [85.2% vs. 41.7% [p < 0.0001]. Mean daily per-capita salt consumption was also significantly higher among tea-garden workers [29.60 vs. 22.89g, p = 0.0001]. Overall prevalence of hypertension was similar [44.4% vs. 45.2%], but among those who had hypertension, prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was higher in tea-garden workers [82.8% vs. 74.4%, p< 0.0001]. Tea-garden workers had lower BMI, were more physically active, and had a lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. Their INTERHEART modifiable risk score was also lower [1.44 [2.5] vs. 1.79 [2.8], p = 0.001]. High prevalence of modifiable risk factors like tobacco consumption, high salt intake and high prevalence of hypertension indicates the need for early implementation of preventive actions in this population