Employment status and high blood pressure in women: variations by time and by sociodemographic characteristics.

PURPOSE

The association between employment status and high blood pressure in women was examined at two time periods to determine if associations between employment status and high blood pressure varied by time period or by age, race, education, marital status, or parental status.

METHODS

Women participants from the National Health Examination Survey (1960) and the Second National Health and Nutrition Survey (1976-1980) between the ages of 25 and 64 and currently employed or keeping house were included. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the cross-sectional association between employment status and high blood pressure in each survey, taking into account potential effect modifiers and covariates.

RESULTS

In 1960 employment was associated with a slight, but not statistically significant, elevation in odds of high blood pressure. In 1976-1980, it was associated with a modest but significant reduction in odds of high blood pressure. Variations in associations occurred by marital status (protective associations were limited to unmarried women) and race (associations were of stronger magnitude among African-American women).

CONCLUSIONS

The employment status-high blood pressure relationship shifted across surveys. Changes in the composition of the employed and nonemployed groups account for at least part of the varying relationships.