Blood Pressure of Jordanian Workers Chronically Exposed to Noise in Industrial Plants

BACKGROUND: Occupational studies investigating the association between blood pressure and noise exposure are almost lacking in the Eastern Mediterranean Region countries. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between occupational exposure to high level of noise and blood pressure among a group of workers in Jordan. METHODS: All workers who had been exposing to noise for at least 3 years in 3 plants in Madaba governorate in Jordan were included in this cross-sectional study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The occupational noise level was measured with a portable calibrated sound meter. RESULTS: We studied 191 male workers, of whom 145 (75.9%) were exposed to a noise level higher than the permissible limit of 85 dBA. The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and the prevalence of hypertension were significantly higher among those exposed to higher noise level. In multivariate analysis, workers exposed to high level of noise had a significantly higher odds of hypertension compared to those exposed to noise level lower than the permissible limit (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.6 to 13.8). The odds of hypertension increased by 17% (95% CI 10% to 30%) for each dB increase in noise intensity. CONCLUSION: Exposure to high level of noise is associated with elevated blood pressure.