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Apr 4, 2016Keywords:
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Prevalence of Hypertension in School going Adolescents in Rural areas of Rivers State, South-South Nigeria
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of hypertension seems to be increasing in children and adults in urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Different studies have been carried out on the prevalence of hypertension amongst adolescents living in urban areas reflecting this seeming increase in the prevalence of hypertension. However, there is scarcity of studies on the prevalence of hypertension in children living in rural areas of Nigeria, and Rivers State in South-South Nigeria. This present study which will contribute to data on the subjects and form a reference for future studies in the region sought to determine the prevalence of hypertension in apparently healthy school going adolescents in two rural Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
Methods: A cross sectional population based blood pressure survey was carried out on 1,080 apparently healthy school going adolescents, aged 10-18 years, selected from 18 secondary schools in two rural local government areas of Rivers State, using multi-stage stratified sampling technique. Blood pressure measurements were taken using auscultatory method. The average of three readings was taken as the blood pressure. Hypertension was defined by a systolic and or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 2 standard deviation above the mean blood pressure for age and sex of the population studied.
Results: The mean systolic blood pressure of the female subjects of 111.75 ± 13.91 mm Hg was higher than the 110.48 ± 15.45 mm Hg in the males, while the mean diastolic blood pressure of the female subjects of 67.07 ± 11.98 mm Hg was significantly (p = 0.04) higher than the 65.60 ± 11.42 mm Hg in the males. Hypertension was seen in 46 (4.3%) ofthe subjects with 3.6% in males and 4.9% in females respectively. This gender difference was however, not statistically significant (p = 0.30). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased with age.
Conclusion: The 4.3% prevalence rate of hypertension in adolescents in rural areas of Rivers State is high, and thus emphasizes the need for regular blood pressure surveillance in clinicians caring for these adolescents.
Keywords: Hypertension, Adolescents, Rural areas, Nigeria
