Nigerian Journal of Medicine

Prevalence of Hypertension among Teenage Students in Kano, Nigeria

*Mijinyawa M S MBBS, FWACP, **Iliyasu Z MBBS, MPH, FWACP, *Borodo M M MBBS, FMCP
*Dept. of Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
& Dept. of Medicine Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.
**Dept. of Community Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
& Dept. of Community Medicine, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.

Abstract
Background: Hypertension has been reported among young people worldwide. It is known
to track from youth to adulthood, which makes it a useful predictor of essential
hypertension in adulthood. This study determined the prevalence of hypertension and
associated cardiovascular risk factors among secondary school teenagers in Kano,
Nigeria.
Methods: A questionnaire was administered on a cross section of 1000 teenage students
to inquire about cardiovascular risk factors. Participants' blood pressure, height and
weight were measured. Relevant investigations were done for those with raised blood
pressure.
Results: The participants' ages ranged from 13 to 19 years with a mean of 15.91.62
years. Seventy of the students had systolic blood pressure 140mmHg and/or diastolic
blood pressure 90mmHg giving a prevalence rate of hypertension of 7.2% [95% CI=5.6-8.9%].
Specifically, 32 (6.7%) of the 476 males were hypertensive compared to
38 (7.7%) of the 492 female participants. This difference was not statistically
significant (2 =1.6 df=1 p>0.05). The prevalence rate of hypertension rose from 4.3%
(among the younger participants) to 11.8% among the oldest students.
Of the 70, a majority (88.5%) had grade 1 hypertension, 10.0% had Grade 2 hypertension
and 1.5% had Grade 3 hypertension. The hypertensives were about twice more likely to
have a family history of hypertension compared to their normotensive counterparts.
This difference was statistically significant [OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.12-3.83] (2 =6.4 df=1 p=0.01).
Conclusion: Hypertension exists among teenage students in Kano, Nigeria. Early
detection can reduce risk of cardiovascular changes and end organ damage.

Key words: Hypertension, Teenagers, Students,

Date accepted for publication 11th March 2008

Nig J Med 2008; 174 - 179