Socioeconomic differences in cardiovascular risk factors in China.
Socioeconomic conditions are important in explaining variation in cardiovascular morbidity in advanced societies. To analyse whether cardiovascular risk factors vary according to socioeconomic status in a developing country, and more specifically, in an urban area of China, we compared data from structured interviews and cardiovascular screenings in a group of 1169 male workers (45-65 years). These men participated in the five-year follow-up of a prospective investigation started in 1982/83 in several plants in Wuhan. Unhealthy behaviours such as heavy cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly more prevalent among men with low educational attainment and with jobs characterized by heavy physical workload, noise and heat. Men paid according to a new, highly demanding salary system exhibited significant increases in total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure from first to second screening. In conclusion, our findings show significant socioeconomic variation in cardiovascular risk factors among middle-aged male workers in China.
Siegrist
J
J
Department of Medical Sociology, Medical School, University of Marburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Bernhardt
R
R
Feng
Z C
ZC
Schettler
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors