Hypertension screening in a salami factory: a worksite hypertension study

On-the-farm cardiovascular risk screening among migrant agricultural workers in Southeast Minnesota: a pilot prospective study

INTRODUCTION

Accessibility to healthcare services is a major concern facing migrant agricultural workers (MAWs) in the USA. We aimed to test the feasibility of implementing cardiovascular risk screening at farm sites.

METHODS

This was a pilot prospective cohort study providing on-site monthly screenings of cardiovascular risk factors. We estimated the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and evaluated the success of this approach via modified validated satisfaction surveys.

RESULTS

We enrolled 38 MAWs and diagnosed 18 cases of pre-diabetes, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia in 15 subjects (39.4%). Mean scores of workers' satisfaction were high (≥4) on a 5-point scale except 'Time spent with provider'. Over 80% of workers were likely to use this model if it was permanently available on the farm. Only 8.7% of workers were able to follow up after referral to a clinic.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent in MAWs. On-the-farm screening is a feasible and satisfactory model of healthcare delivery; however, other barriers continue to hinder MAWs from receiving follow-up care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02418637.

High prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension in a working population in Hungary

BACKGROUND

Hungary has one of the highest mortality rates due to strokes among the European Union countries. As elevated blood pressure (BP) is the principal risk factor for strokes, we assessed BP levels, as well as awareness and treatment status of hypertension and prehypertension in a working population sample in Hungary.

METHODS

Worksite employees in Budapest and Szeged were screened for their BP using an automated BP measuring instrument (BpTRU). BpTRU readings of heart rate (HR) were also recorded. Respondents were classified as normotensives (NT), prehypertensives (PHTN) and hypertensives (HTN) according to their BP levels, as defined by the JNC 7 guidelines. Body height and body weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Self-reported information regarding smoking was collected.

RESULTS

In total, 2,012 respondents were recruited (1,000 white collar; 1,012 blue-collar workers), with a mean (±s.d.) age of 34.8 (±9.9) years. Of all respondents, 22.6% were identified as HTN and 39.8% as PHTN. Among HTN, 40% were unaware of their condition and only 18.5% were adequately treated. PHTN were similar in age as NT, but showed significantly higher HR.

CONCLUSIONS

A high proportion of relatively young and apparently healthy Hungarian employees were diagnosed with prehypertension and hypertension. Only a small proportion of HTN had their BP controlled. BMI and HR were significantly higher among individuals with prehypertension compared to NT. Whether the high rates of hypertension, prehypertension, and low levels of control explain the high stroke mortality and unfavorable cardiovascular disease (CVD) profile of Hungary needs further study.