Prevalence of Adolescent Hypertension in Zaria.

Abstract

Summary Background: Although there are several epidemiological reports on the prevalence of hypertension in adult population, a dearth of information continues to exist on adolescent hypertension in many parts of the world. Objective: To determine the blood pressure (BP) levels and the point prevalence of high blood pressure in healthy secondary school children in Zaria. Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional prospective study of blood pressure levels of 2035 Nigerian school adolescents aged 10-19 years was conducted, using cluster multistage stratified sampling technique. All measurements were carried out, using standard techniques. Eight hundred and forty four of the subjects were males and 1191 were females. Results: The mean systolic blood pressures (SBP) among males and females were 1094 10.5mmHg and 112+10.9mmHg while the mean diastolic blood pressures (DBP) were 67+8.3mmHg and 70+9.7mmHg respectively. Adopting BP values greater than 140/90mmHg as elevated BP, only thirteen (0.6 percent) of this study population could be considered hypertensive. However, the prevalence rate rose to 3.7 percent, when high BP was defined as values > 2 standard deviations above the mean BP for age. There was no difference in the prevalence of systolic hypertension between the two genders; however, diastolic hypertension was significantly higher in girls than in boys (X2=4.59, p<0.03). Conclusion: Blood pressure levels in secondary school children in Zaria showed rapid rise in mid-adolescence. The overall prevalence rate of elevated BP [greater than mean + 2SD for age and sex]was 3.7 percent. School survey is effective for early detection of high blood pressure.