Working-room temperature is associated with increased blood pressure among air traffic controllers in the Jakarta Air Traffic Service Center

An increase in blood pressure (BP) can increase the risk of ischemic heart disease and stroke. This study aimed to identify risk factors for increased BP among air traffic controllers (ATCs) in the Jakarta Air Traffic Service Center (JATSC). We used a crosssectional study design with random sampling of ATCs over 17 days from May to June 2017; 134 subjects participated in the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire, a mercury sphygmomanometer for BP, and a digital thermometer for room temperature. Increased BP was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg after work. Our results showed that participants aged ≥40 years were 2.2 times more likely to have increased BP than those aged <40 years [RRa = 2.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.15-4.11; p = 0.016]. Participants who worked at a room temperature of <21 °C were 2.1 times more likely to have increased BP than those who worked in a room temperature of ≥21°C (RRa = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.12-3.93; p = 0.020). In conclusion, ≥40 years of age and working-room temperature of <21°C were identified as risk factors for increased BP among ATCs.