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Prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension among children and adolescents in a semi-urban area of Uyo Metropolis, Nigeria.
- Source :
-
The Pan African medical journal [Pan Afr Med J] 2017 Dec 08; Vol. 28, pp. 303. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Dec 08 (Print Publication: 2017). - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Introduction: In the past, Hypertension in childhood was not considered a problem but in the last few decades, it has gradually become a source of concern especially as children are known to maintain their blood pressures into adulthood. Therefore, hypertensive children are at risk of developing cardiovascular complications earlier in adulthood. In our own environment, the prevalence of hypertension in children is undocumented, hence the purpose of this study.<br />Methods: Two hundred children aged between 3-17 years were recruited into this study from two public schools-one primary, one secondary in a semi urban community in Uyo metropolis. The blood pressure of respondents was measured in accordance with the technique described by the 4 <superscript>th</superscript> Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children. The height and weight of all eligible subjects was measured using a stadiometer and a calibrated scale respectively. Body Mass Index (BMI) was assessed for each subject and World Health Organization (WHO) charts of BMI for age and sex were used as reference standards. Waist circumference was measured according to the technique described in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.<br />Results: The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was found to be 3.5% and 2.5% respectively in this study. Only age (OR = 1.74, p = 0.005, 95%CI = 1.186-2.566), BMI (OR = 1.54, p = <0.001, 95% CI = 1.249-1.913) and waist circumference (OR = 1.16, p = 0.002, 95%CI = 1.056-1.271) were found to significantly predict the development of high blood pressure.<br />Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension in this study was found to be low. Hypertension/prehypertension was more likely to develop with increasing age, BMI and waist circumference.
- Subjects :
- Adolescent
Age Factors
Blood Pressure physiology
Body Mass Index
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Nigeria epidemiology
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Hypertension epidemiology
Prehypertension epidemiology
Urban Population statistics & numerical data
Waist Circumference physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1937-8688
- Volume :
- 28
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The Pan African medical journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 29854068
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2017.28.303.14396