RISK FACTORS FOR RECURRENCE OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN NAN PROVINCE.
Pesticde Exposure and Blood Pressure among Female Farmers
Acute pesticide poisoning has been associated with adverse cardiac manifestations, including hypertension. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between chronic pesticide exposure and blood pressure. To evaluate the pesticide exposure the serum cholinesterase was used. Subjects comprised of 75 female farmers from mango orchards and pineapple fields in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand. Mean age (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 131.9 (20.3) and 73.8 (10.2) mmHg, respectively. Almost 30% of the subject had serum cholinesterase lower than normal level. Prevalence of systolic hypertension was 31.2% and diastolic hypertension 6.5%. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated four variables that are significantly associated with SBP: age; alcohol consumption; history of pesticide poisoning and body mass index (BMI), and three variables with DBP: BMI; alcohol consumption and history of pesticide poisoning. The results suggest that pesticide pesticide poisoning may contribute to risk of increasing blood pressure. Preventing pesticide poisoning should be encouraged among the female farmers.