Determinants of Hypertension amongst Rice Farmers in West Java, Indonesia

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Health
• Cardiovascular Epidemiology

Background:

• Hypertension prevalence is rising in Indonesia, yet farmer-specific risk factors remain under-researched.
• Farmers face unique occupational exposures, including heat stress and pesticide use, potentially impacting cardiovascular health.
• Understanding these risks is crucial for targeted public health interventions in agricultural communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of hypertension among Indonesian farmers.
• To investigate the association between occupational and lifestyle factors and hypertension risk in this population.
• To identify key environmental and behavioral contributors to hypertension in farmers.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 354 male farmers (aged 25-73) in West Java, Indonesia.
• Hypertension defined by blood pressure measurement and self-reported diagnosis/treatment.
• Assessment of work environment (heat stress, pesticide use) and lifestyle factors (obesity, diet, smoking, alcohol) using questionnaires and multivariate analysis.

Main Results:

• Forty-six percent of farmers exhibited hypertension.
• Higher heat stress (WBGT) was significantly linked to increased hypertension risk (aPR 1.41, 95% CI 1.01-1.95).
• Pesticide sprayer use also showed a trend towards increased hypertension risk (aPR 1.90, 95% CI 0.93-3.87).

Conclusions:

• Work environmental factors, particularly heat stress and pesticide exposure, are significant contributors to hypertension prevalence in farmers.
• Personal lifestyle factors were not significantly associated with hypertension in this cohort.
• Public health strategies must address occupational risks and promote early detection and management of hypertension among Indonesian farmers.