An Examination of Hypertension Measures among workers in Timor-Leste—Knowledge,Attitudes,Practices (KAP) and Dietary Surveys
1
Graduate School of Public Health, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
2
Department of National training, National Institute of Public Health, Timor-Leste (INSPTL), Dili, Timor-Leste
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Hypertension is a leading global risk factor concentrated on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Timor-Leste, a post-conflict nation experiencing a rapid epidemiological transition, faces escalating Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) risks in its workforce. NCDs account for 45% of all deaths, and hypertension prevalence is 35%2. Frequent sudden deaths among workers underscore the urgent need for occupational health interventions, which are currently underdeveloped in national policy.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among employees of the Ministry of Public Works in Timor-Leste to address limited evidence on NCDs among the workforces. Out of 286 recruited, 188 participants were included for final analysis. Measurements included anthropometry and blood pressure assessment, a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey, and the Dietary Quality Questionnaire (DQQ). Data were analyzed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and its associations with health-related behaviors and dietary patterns.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of hypertension among male workers (n = 164) reached 39.6%, significantly exceeding the national average. Although most participants demonstrated adequate knowledge regarding hypertension, a clear gap between knowledge and actual health practices was observed. A statistically significant association was identified between hypertension and frequent consumption of chicken and ultra-processed food, suggesting the critical impact of high salt intake from commonly consumed staples.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results suggest that health education alone is insufficient to promote effective behavior change. Strategies to prevent and manage hypertension must therefore extend beyond individual knowledge improvement to include supportive environments, such as healthier workplace design and strengthened policy frameworks. Collaborative intervention development and policy feedback will be essential for ensuring sustainability and effective integration into occupational health policy in this post-conflict setting.
Hypertension is a leading global risk factor concentrated on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Timor-Leste, a post-conflict nation experiencing a rapid epidemiological transition, faces escalating Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) risks in its workforce. NCDs account for 45% of all deaths, and hypertension prevalence is 35%2. Frequent sudden deaths among workers underscore the urgent need for occupational health interventions, which are currently underdeveloped in national policy.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among employees of the Ministry of Public Works in Timor-Leste to address limited evidence on NCDs among the workforces. Out of 286 recruited, 188 participants were included for final analysis. Measurements included anthropometry and blood pressure assessment, a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey, and the Dietary Quality Questionnaire (DQQ). Data were analyzed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and its associations with health-related behaviors and dietary patterns.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of hypertension among male workers (n = 164) reached 39.6%, significantly exceeding the national average. Although most participants demonstrated adequate knowledge regarding hypertension, a clear gap between knowledge and actual health practices was observed. A statistically significant association was identified between hypertension and frequent consumption of chicken and ultra-processed food, suggesting the critical impact of high salt intake from commonly consumed staples.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results suggest that health education alone is insufficient to promote effective behavior change. Strategies to prevent and manage hypertension must therefore extend beyond individual knowledge improvement to include supportive environments, such as healthier workplace design and strengthened policy frameworks. Collaborative intervention development and policy feedback will be essential for ensuring sustainability and effective integration into occupational health policy in this post-conflict setting.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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