Prevalence of hypertension and associated occupational factors among steel and ceramic tile workers in Vietnam

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Hypertension (n=1228). Intervention: Working duration ≥ 10 years vs. Working duration < 10 years. Primary outcome: Prevalence of hypertension (SBP ≥140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥90 mmHg, or current use of antihypertensive medication) (OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.70-4.85, p=<0.001).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Hypertension affects nearly a quarter of industrial workers in Vietnam and is significantly more prevalent among ceramic tile workers compared to steel workers, with risk increasing with age and longer employment duration. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine the prevalence of hypertension and analyze associated occupational and sociodemographic factors among steel and ceramic tile workers in Vietnam.

Nguyễn Thạch; D. S. Nguyen; M. T. Nguyen

doi:10.58708/2074-2088.2026-3(39)-101-108

November 1, 2026Medical and Biological Problems of Life ActivityOpen Access

Prevalence of hypertension and associated occupational factors among steel and ceramic tile workers in Vietnam

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Key result

Working duration ≥10 years was associated with higher odds of hypertension compared to <10 years (34.0% vs 12.7%; OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.70-4.85), with an overall prevalence of 22.3%.

Why the study?

Industrial workers exposed to unfavorable conditions and high work intensity may have an increased risk of hypertension, but evidence among those operating under tropical hot and humid conditions remained limited.

What is the prevalence of hypertension and its associated occupational and demographic factors among steel and ceramic tile industrial workers in Vietnam?

Key Points

To determine the prevalence of hypertension and analyze associated occupational and sociodemographic factors among steel and ceramic tile workers in Vietnam.
Conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in 2022 among 1 228 production workers (836 steel workers and 392 ceramic tile workers) across two industrial enterprises.
Assessed blood pressure via a standardized protocol and collected data on working conditions, job stress, smoking, and alcohol use using structured interviews.
The overall prevalence of hypertension was 22,3% (95% CI 20,1-24,7), with significantly higher rates in ceramic tile workers (39,8%) than in steel workers (14,1%) (p < 0.001).
Hypertension was significantly associated with age ≥35 years (OR = 2,2; 95% CI: 1,71–2,95; p < 0,001) and working duration ≥10 years (OR = 3,6; 95% CI: 2,70–4,85; p < 0,001).
Adverse working conditions and behavioral risks were widely reported, including high work intensity (78,0% steel, 78,6% ceramic), current smoking (50,4% steel, 46,9% ceramic), and harmful alcohol consumption (44,0% steel, 43,6% ceramic).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=1,228)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

What is the prevalence of hypertension and its associated occupational and demographic factors among steel and ceramic tile industrial workers in Vietnam?

P

Population

1,228 industrial production workers (mean age 34.1 years, 10.7% female) from one steel and one ceramic tile enterprise in Vietnam with at least 6 months of employment, assessed cross-sectionally in 2022.

E

Exposure

Occupational exposure in ceramic tile manufacturing vs steel manufacturing, as well as prolonged working duration (≥10 years) and older age (≥35 years) under tropical hot and humid industrial conditions.

C

Comparator

Steel manufacturing workers (n=836), workers with shorter working duration (<10 years), and younger workers (<35 years).

O

Outcome

Prevalence of hypertension (defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, or current use of antihypertensive medication, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health guideline).surrogate

Main Result

Odds Ratio: 3.6 (95% CI 2.7–4.85)

Absolute Event Rate: 34% vs 12.7%

p-value: p=<0.001

This cross-sectional study demonstrates a 22.3% prevalence of hypertension among Vietnamese heavy industrial workers in tropical climates, with significantly higher rates among ceramic tile workers, older workers (≥35 years), and those with ≥10 years of employment.

Limitations

Cross-sectional design does not allow for causal inference between exposure factors and hypertension
Information on working conditions, job stress, and behavioral factors was collected through self-reported questionnaires, which may be subject to recall bias
Analysis was based on crude odds ratios, and potential confounding factors were not adjusted for in multivariable models
Analysis focused on crude associations without multivariable adjustment
Did not quantify the independent effects of specific occupational exposures such as heat, noise, and dust
Working conditions and job stress were evaluated based on workers' self-reported perceptions

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Implication

Supports hypertension screening in industrial workers; extends employment duration associations to Vietnamese manufacturing cohorts.

Abstract

Hypertension is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases worldwide and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Industrial workers, particularly those exposed to unfavorable working conditions and high work intensity, may be at increased risk. However, evidence on hypertension among industrial workers operating under tropical hot and humid conditions remains limited.We aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and analyze associated factors among steel workers and ceramic tile workers in Vietnam.A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2022 among 1 228 production workers from two industrial enterprises, including 836 steel workers and 392 ceramic tile workers. Blood pressure was measured using a standardized protocol. Structured interviews were used to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, working conditions, job stress, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Hypertension was defined according to Vietnamese Ministry of Health guidelines. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary analyses to estimate crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).The overall prevalence of hypertension was 22,3%. Ceramic tile workers exhibited a higher prevalence of hypertension (39,8%) compared with steel workers (14,1%) (p < 0.001). Workers aged ≥35 years had a higher likelihood of hypertension than those aged <35 years (OR = 2,2; 95% CI: 1,71–2,95). Similarly, workers with a working duration of ≥10 years were more likely to have hypertension than those with <10 years of employment (OR = 3,6; 95% CI: 2,70–4,85). High proportions of workers reported smoking and harmful alcohol consumption in both occupational groups.Conclusion. Hypertension represents an important occupational health problem among industrial workers in Vietnam, particularly among older workers and those with longer working duration, highlighting the potential role of prolonged exposure to unfavorable working conditions in tropical industrial settings.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Thạch et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=1,228). Working duration ≥ 10 years vs. Working duration < 10 years was evaluated on Prevalence of hypertension (SBP ≥140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥90 mmHg, or current use of antihypertensive medication) (OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.70-4.85, p=<0.001). Working duration ≥10 years was associated with higher odds of hypertension compared to <10 years (34.0% vs 12.7%; OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.70-4.85), with an overall prevalence of 22.3%.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aea773089a8acbed9c87b38 https://doi.org/10.58708/2074-2088.2026-3(39)-101-108

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Prevalence of hypertension and associated occupational factors among steel and ceramic tile workers in Vietnam

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Prevalence of hypertension and associated occupational factors among steel and ceramic tile workers in Vietnam

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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