Abstract
Objective: explain the possible associations between occupational exposure to vibration on buses in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, MG, and self-reporting of high blood pressure (HBP).
Methods: electronic forms completed during interviews with drivers (n = 853) and conductors (n = 754) at the bus company yards in 2012. The sample size was estimated taking into consideration the proportions of workers (overall total for sampling = 17,470 drivers and conductors) distributed in the municipalities Belo Horizonte, Betim and Contagem. The association power was measured by prevalence ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. After bivariate analysis, the independent association between vibration and HBP was evaluated using multiple Poisson regression models with robust variance, adjusted for potential confounding factors.
Results: responses regarding vibration: never/rarely = 39.7% (never = 33.5% and rarely = 6.2%), sometimes = 21%; almost always /always = 39.3% (almost always = 5.9%; always = 33.4%). HBP was self-reported by 14.3% and was 33% more frequent in the group that stated to feel their body vibrate almost always/always, in comparison with the group that stated never or rarely (PR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.02-1.73).
Conclusion: the association between vibration and hypertension highlights the importance of considering the occupational exposure in addressing cardiovascular morbidity in adults.
Keywords:
vibration; hypertension; bus driver; occupational health