11. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hypertension Among School Children in Four Districts of Hazara division, Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa
Israr ul Haq1, Ihsan ul Haq1, Nafees Ahmad2 and Mehar Dil Khan Wazir3
ABSTRACT
Objective: The current study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for hypertension among schoolchildren.
Study Design: Descriptive / cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Paediatric, Saidu Medical College, Swat from March 2014 to December 2014.
Materials and Methods: A total of 3200 schoolchildren aged between 5 to 15 years selected from 16 schools of four districts of Hazara division were included in this study. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect information about children gender, age, and family history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Mercury sphygmomanometer with appropriate cuff size was used to measure blood pressure (BP). For each subject, BP was recorded three times on the same visit with at-least 30 minutes rest between the readings. Participants with the average systolic and/or diastolic BP>95th percentile were categorized as hypertensives. Data was analysed by using SPSS 17.
Results: The mean age of the study participants was 9.7+3.2 years with a male to female ratio of 1:1. A total of 153 (4.78%) children suffered from obesity, whereas the prevalence of hypertension was 6% (n=191). In univariate analysis, obesity (OR=1.932, p-value=0.024), family history of hypertension (OR=1.321, p-value=0.033) and studying in private schools (OR=1.712, p-value=0.024) had statistically significant positive association with childhood hypertension. However, in multivariate analysis, obesity emerged as the only risk factor for childhood hypertension (OR=2.316, p-value=0.021).
Conclusion: Prevalence of childhood hypertension in the current study was comparable to the range reported in literature. Behaviour therapy directed at increased physical activity and dietary modification in obese children may reduce the incidence of childhood hypertension.
Key Words: Family history of hypertension; private schools; obesity
Citation of article: Haq I, Haq I, Ahmad N, Wazir MDK. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hypertension Among School Children in Four Districts of Hazara division, Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa. Med Forum 2017;28(6):40-44.