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PS 11-68 HYPERTENSION AND CARDIO-VASCULAR RISK FACTORS AMONG FOOTWEAR FACTORY WORKERS OF KATHMANDU VALLEY

Objective: Workers in shoes making factories were exposed to diverse range of chemicals which are used in various manufacturing steps such as leather tanning, dyeing and finishing. Hazardous chemical substances mainly used as adhesives contain benzene, xylene, ethyl benzene and toluene, which are mainly exposed through inhalation and skin absorption. Prevalence of hypertension is well documented in most of the population and professionals but footwear factory workers have attracted less attention particularly in Nepal. This study aims to assess the hypertension and cardio vascular risk factors among footwear factory workers. Design and Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted from August 2015 to February 2016 in randomly selected 209 aged 18–48 years subjects from five major shoe factories of Kathmandu valley. All subjects were interviewed with pre-structured questionnaire for family history, life style and dietary habit. Blood pressure was measured using standard calibrated tools. Fasting blood sample was collected for lipid profile [Total cholesterol (TC), High density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), Low density lipoprotein (LDLc), Triacylglycerol (TAG)], fasting blood glucose, and HbA1c. A recently introduced markers of plasma atherogenicity “Non HDL cholesterol [TC minus HDLc (NHc)], Risk ratio [TC/HDLc-(RR)] and Atherogenic index of plasma [log (TG/HDLc)-(AIP)”] was calculated from Lipid parameters to assess CVD risk. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 33.49%, with smoking habit and alcohol consumption of 37% and 59% respectively. The average duration of work (exposure to the chemicals) was 4.2 ± 2.34 years. Age and exposure with chemicals directly correlated with the TC and NHc. AIP and Risk ratio projected that long term smoking and exposure to the chemicals are potential risk factors for hypertension and CVD. Conclusions: The result of this study clearly indicates that hypertension and risk factors of CVD are unnoticed challenge along with respiratory disease and skin disease in shoe factory workers of Kathmandu valley.