title: Hypertension control in industrial employees: findings from SHIMSCO study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypertension prevention and control are among the most important public health priorities. We evaluated the impacts of a workplace intervention project "Stop Hypertension in Mobarakeh Steel Company" (SHIMSCO) on controlling hypertension in industrial workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out in Mobarakeh Steel Company in Isfahan among 7286 male workers and employees. All individuals were evaluated for the presence of hypertension (HTN). According to examinations, 500 subjects with systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg, and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or those using antihypertensive medications were confirmed to have HTN and thus included in this study. They were questioned for sociodemographic characteristics, past medical history and medication use. They received an educational program including healthy lifestyle and self-care recommendations of HTN management and control as well as training for accurate blood pressure measurement and home monitoring for two years. SBP, DBP, weight, height and routine lab tests were measured for all hypertensive subjects before and after the interventions. Paired t-test, generalized estimation equation (GEE) and ordinary linear regression (OLR) were used for statistical analysis in SPSS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The comparison of SBP and DBP before and after the educational program showed significant reductions in both parameters (-7.97 ± 14.72 and -2.66 ± 9.96 mmHg, respectively). However, a greater decrease was detected in case of DBP. GEE showed SBP and DBP to decrease about -0.115 and -0.054 mmHg/month. OLR also revealed reductions of 4.88 and 2.57 mmHg respectively in SBP and DBP upon adding each antihypertensive drug.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SHIMSCO, a 3-year interventional project in workplaces, was effective in reducing SBP and DBP among hypertensive employees and workers. We conclude that implementing simple educational programs in worksites can improve the management and control of hypertension and perhaps other chronic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Hypertension Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Khosravi
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rowzati
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gharipour
authors.forename: Mohammad Gholami
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Fesharaki
authors.forename: Shahin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shirani
authors.forename: Shahnaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shahrokhi
authors.forename: Mahnaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jozan
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Khosravi
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khosravi
authors.forename: Nizal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sarrafzadegan