Prevalence, awareness, and associated factors of high blood pressure among female migrant workers in Central South China

BACKGROUND: Although many young Chinese women migrate to urban regions for better opportunities, little is known about the prevalence and awareness of having high blood pressure (HBP) in this population. This study investigated the prevalence, awareness, and factors associated with HBP among young female migrant workers in Central South China. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study to identify HBP (2017 ACC/AHA guidelines) among female migrant workers aged 18–45 years in Central South China. Demographics, anthropometric measurements, hypertension-related lifestyle, awareness of HBP, and blood pressure were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with HBP (blood pressure ≥ 130/80 mmHg). RESULTS: Overall, 232 female migrants participated in the study (mean age 34.4; standard deviation: 6.4 years). The prevalence of HBP was 27.2% (95% CI [21.6–33.2]), and 88.9% of the participants were unaware of their HBP status. Having rural medical insurance (odds ratio [OR] = 20.7; 95% confidence interval 95% CI [2.1–204.8]), awareness of having HBP (OR = 5.1; 95% CI [1.4–18.5]), physical inactivity (OR = 2.9; 95% CI [1.1–7.9]), and being overweight/obese (OR = 2.7; 95% CI [1.3–6.1]) were independently associated with HBP. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a high prevalence of HBP among young Chinese female migrant workers, as well as a high frequency of being unaware of their condition and some associated factors (rural medical insurance, awareness of having HBP, physical inactivity, and overweight/obesity). The uncontrolled HBP among young Chinese female migrant workers suggested that health education needs further promotion in such a population.