The health of working nurses: Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control by medication
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Journal of Nursing Management
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
School
School of Nursing and Midwifery
RAS ID
26503
Abstract
Aims
To investigate hypertension awareness, prevalence and treatment in nurses.
Background
Nurses are the largest health workforce group, currently facing an ageing demographic and the risk of chronic disease such as hypertension. Little is known about hypertension in nurses despite the potential impact on work productivity.
Methods
A cross‐sectional online survey was distributed to nurses and midwives via the professional association and nursing directors. Questions were taken from published longitudinal health studies for blood pressure, hypertension and key sociodemographic and health factors.
Results
The participants’ (n = 5,041) mean age was 47.99 (SD 11.46) years. The majority knew their blood pressure, more so if they were female, of higher body mass index and aged 45–64 years, but less so if they were smokers. Hypertension prevalence increased with age, peaking at the oldest ages and the majority were treated (anti‐hypertensive medication), less so if agedcontrol, were most often aged 45–54 years and were smokers.
Conclusions
Hypertension prevalence is less in nurses than in the general population, however, once diagnosed treatment is not optimized.
Implications for Nursing Management
The potential impact of hypertension on older nurses’ work productivity justifies work‐based support for risk reduction behaviours.
DOI
10.1111/jonm.12553
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Gallagher, R., Perry, L., Duffield, C., Sibbritt, D., & Ying Ko, C. (2018). The health of working nurses: Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control by medication. Journal of Nursing Management 26(4). 403-410. doi:10.1111/jonm.12553
Available here.