HYPERTENSION AMONG ADOLESCENT SCHOOL CHILDREN AGED 15–18 YEARS IN AN URBAN GOVERNMENT SCHOOL, KERALA

Babu George; Liss Maria Scaria; M Zulfikar Ahamed; Leena ML

Volume : VIII, Issue : V, May - 2018

HYPERTENSION AMONG ADOLESCENT SCHOOL CHILDREN AGED 15–18 YEARS IN AN URBAN GOVERNMENT SCHOOL, KERALA

Babu George, Liss Maria Scaria, M Zulfikar Ahamed, Leena Ml

Abstract :

Hypertension among adolescent children is alarming and often tracks to hypertension in adulthood. The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adolescent school children aged 15–18 years in an urban government school, Kerala. The blood pressure and anthropometric measurements of 267 students who agreed to participate in the study were examined. The prevalence of hypertension according to the research criteria of the AAP guidelines was found to be 7.98 percent. Elevated blood pressure defined as ≥90th percentile to <95th percentile was present in 8(3.04%) students. Stage 1hypertension (defined as ≥95th percentile to <95th percentile + 12 mmHg) and stage 2 hypertension (defined as ≥95th percentile + 12 mm Hg) were present in 21(7.98%) of the total students. A statistically significant association was found between BMI and hypertension. The progression of adolescent or childhood hypertension to adulthood is a proven fact. Early detection of hypertension will lead to early intervention and thus there is a need for early identification of hypertension among adolescent children in Kerala.