Gender differences in the interaction between tobacco and alcohol consumption with raised blood pressure.

Abstract

Objective: to analyze gender differences in the interaction between tobacco and alcohol consumption with high blood pressure (HBP) in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted, with n=10704 participants, randomly selected. Proportions, Odds-ratios and robust analysis of Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition were calculated. Results. 33.5% of participants only drink alcohol, 1.8% only smoke and 9.2% both simultaneously. The probability of presenting HBP was higher in smokers (OR: 2.04); those who consume both simultaneously (OR: 1.73) or only drink alcohol (OR: 1.43). The men had a higher prevalence of HBP, smoking and harmful alcohol consumption; but women who smoke had higher OR levels to develop HBP. The differences in educational level, age, and type of work contributed positively to explain the gap between men and women. Conclusion. the probability of presenting HBP was higher in women, especially those who smoke, despite their low prevalence.