Introduction:

High blood pressure (HBP) in informal workers could be explained, by their working and environmental conditions, habits and lifestyles.

Objective:

To determine working and environmental conditions, habits and lifestyles, which contribute to the explanation of HBP in informal workers in the downtown area in Medellin, Colombia, 2016.

Methodology:

Cross-sectional descriptive study with analytical intent. Primary source of information: a census of 686 workers in 2016, after obtaining informed consent. Working and environmental conditions, habits, lifestyles and self-report of HBP were investigated. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyzes were performed. Statistical tests show 95% confidence and 5% error. A group of workers participated in the design and execution of the fieldwork. Project approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Universidad CES, Medellín September 2015.

Results:

20,26% of the workers had HBP. Age 50 (±11,76) years old, and 23,5 years as street vendors, 81,5% work>8 hours a day; 17,2% smoked cigarettes, 23,7% used saltshakers at the table and 28,9% were sedentary. Greater hypertension at older age (PR=12.35), greater seniority in the job (PR=1,73) and considered themselves obese (PR=2,61), and lower HBP for those who did not consume liquor (PR=0,48). Greater HBP is explained in people consuming fried foods (PR=3.14.IC=1,64; 6.00), being between 30-44 (PR=10,71. CI:5,00;22,94) and 45 to 59 years old (PR=2,69.CI: 1.66; 4.37), and a lower HBP for those considered as overweight (PR=0,54. IC=0.34; 0.78).

Conclusion:

working conditions, habits and lifestyles contribute to the explanation of HBP. These are some characteristics that contribute to configure labor vulnerability in this working population.

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