Influence of Differences in Their Jobs on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Male Blue-collar Shift Workers in Their Fifties

Abstract

This study examined relationships between different job types of shift work and hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia. Male blue-collar workers 50-59 years of age (n = 210) bn the same three-shift schedule in a pulp and paper mill were divided into two groups; 118 in paper manufacturing (group 1) and 92 in the chemical products section (group 2). Only the frequency of hypertension differed significantly (p = 0.012) between the groups, 52.2% (n = 48) in group 2 vs 33.9% (n = 40) in group 1. The odds ratio for group 2 in relation to hypertension was 2.3 (95% CI 1.2–4.2). These results indicate a positive association between job type of shift work and hypertension and suggest that different job types of shift workers should not be combined when the effects of shift work on blood pressure are being examined.

Keywords:

• shift work
• job type
• blue-collar worker
• hypertension
• obesity
• dyslipidemia