European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Studies in adolescents provide important epidemiological information and aetiology bywhich prevention and modifyingof subsequent coronary risk factors can be achieved. No studies are available for sociodemographic risk factors and knowledge of hypertension forkarad region.
Objective: To study and compare associated socio-demographic risk factors of elevated blood pressure among adolescents and to find out the prevalence of elevated blood pressure and to assess the knowledge about hypertension in adolescents of urban and urban slum areas of Karad.
Methodology: Comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Karad during the period of 2017 to 2019. Adolescents from Urban (n=310) andurban slum area (n=310) of Karad who satisfied the inclusion criteria were included. A pretested, validated and reliable proforma was developed. Apart from socio-demographic information, other parameters such as behavioural and lifestyle related risk factors, anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were recorded. Analysis was done using IBM SPSS for Windows software version 20.0. Chi square test evaluated categorical variables. p value equal to or less than 0.005 was considered to be statistically significant for a 95% confidence interval.
Result: Out of 310, the prevalence of Hypertension (HTN) in urban adolescents was 54(18.7%), similarly among urban slum adolescents the prevalence of HTN was 46(14.9%). Majority had good knowledge about hypertension in the urban area with 123(39.7%) and 165(53.2%) had satisfactory knowledge in the urban slum area.Diet, added salt intake, sleep inadequacy, addiction to alcohol and tobacco products, obesity and overweight, physical inactivity and family history of hypertension were principal risk factors for elevated blood pressure in adolescents with statistical significance (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The study identified age, level of education,lifestyle and behavioural factors as risk factors for elevated blood pressure in adolescents. Early detection will decrease risk of cardiovascular complications in adulthood.