Objective: The purpose of this study to determine the prevalence of both pre-hypertension and hypertension and risk factors associated with newly diagnosed Saudi military active duty service personnel.Methods: Community-based screening of 1283 Saudi military active duty service personnel was conducted during the period September-December 2007 at six randomly selected out of a total of 15 military units of Taif region,Western of Saudi Arabia.Screening tools included self-administrated questionnaire,general physical examination,anthropometric measurements and assessment of blood pressure.Results: All participants were Saudi males.Their age ranged from 19-56 years old with mean ± SD of 37.2 ± 7.02.By applying the Joint National Committee on prevention,detection,evaluation,and treatment of high hypertension(JNC-7) criteria,214(17.3%) were considered pre-hypertensive.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that obesity as measured by body mass index(OR=2.71 CI: 1.39-5.28),positive family history(OR=1.46 CI:1.03-2.06),ever smoking(OR=1.45 CI:1.05-2.02),and increased waist circumference(OR=1.04 CI:1.02-1.06) were the significant predictors of workplace newly diagnosed hypertension among military active duty personnel.Conclusion: Pre-hypertension is a common hidden problem and it predicts the development of frank hypertension.Findings of the current study support the recommendation of lifestyle modification for pre-hypertension patients.However,further prospective studied are required to determine the role of pharmacotherapy in pre-hypertension.
