Prevalence of hypertension and its concomitants: An exploratory study among a group of bus drivers in Kolkata, West Bengal.

The present study was carried out in Kolkata to find out the prevalence of hypertension among bus drivers and if any concomitant factor(s) is/are responsible for it. Bus drivers, a vulnerable occupational group, are exposed to adverse workplace environmental conditions which play major role in developing hypertension among them. This study indicates that a prolonged exposure to smoking, alcohol, street food intake and overtime working may augment the chance of developing hypertension. Prevalence of pre-hypertension is a matter of concern for the safety of bus drivers as well as of community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]