Abstract

This study evaluated the prevalence of hypertension, its severity and risk factors in
primary school children in Port Harcourt. It was a cross sectional population-based
study carried out from 1st February to 31st May 2010. A stratified multi-staged
sampling technique was used to recruit pupils between 6-12 years of age, from
thirteen primary schools located in three school districts. Data was collected using a
pre-tested questionnaire completed by parents / guardians. The average of three
blood pressure measurements, weight and height were taken for each pupil, using
standardized techniques.
A total of 1302 pupils with 717 (55.1%) females and 585 (44.9%) males were studied,
giving a female to male ratio of 1.2:1. The prevalence of hypertension was 4.7%
consisting of 4.2% for stage 1 and 0.5% for stage 2 hypertension. The prevalence of
pre-hypertension was found to be 4.6%. Of the pupils with hypertension, 52.5% had
isolated systolic hypertension, 21.3% isolated diastolic hypertension and 26.2%
combined systolic and diastolic hypertension.
Younger children aged 6 – 8years had a higher prevalence, though not statistically
significant, of hypertension than the older children aged 9 – 12years. Older children,
however, had more severe hypertension than the younger age group which was also
not statistically significant. The prevalence of hypertension was not significantly
associated with gender or socioeconomic status.
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in this study were 5.8% and 5.9%
respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was shown to significantly increase
from the underweight group of children to the obese group of children (p < 0.001).
The prevalence of hypertension was also significantly higher in children with a
positive family history of hypertension than those without (p = 0.005).
Parents of children that were found to be pre-hypertensive or hypertensive were
counselled and referred to the paediatric clinic for expert management.
This study concludes that the prevalence of hypertension in primary school children
is high and is significantly associated with a high body mass index (BMI) and positive
family history of hypertension. Blood pressure of children should therefore be
routinely checked, together with health education for weight control for children and
their parents / guardians.

HYPERTENSION IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN PORT HARCOURT