Prevalence and Common Risk Factors of Hypertension among School Children Aged 12-16 Years in Sylhet Metropolitan City, Bangladesh.

Hypertension is a common disease associated with high mortality and morbidity. Hypertension could have its origin in childhood and go undetected unless specially looked for during this period. With globalization bringing more lifestyle modifications, adolescents are exposed to multiple risk factors including obesity, diet, academic stress, lack of physical work apart from hereditary risk factors. Early diagnosis of hypertension is an important strategy in its control, effective treatment and prevention of complications. This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet during the period from January 2014 to June 2014. One thousand (1000) school children aged 12-16 years in Sylhet Metropolitan City were included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria were all school children aged 12-16 years in Sylhet Metropolitan City. School children aged under 12 or above 16 years and with any systemic disorder were excluded. This study showed that prevalence of hypertension in school going children of Sylhet city was 0.70% and there was a significant relationship of hypertension with the obesity, family history of hypertension, dietary habit and physical activity. Among 7 (seven) hypertensive children, 3(42.8%) were over weight and 3(42.8%) obese (p=0.001). All of 7(100%) children had family history of hypertension (p=0.001). Dietary habit were found healthy in 1(14.3%) and unhealthy in 6(85.7%) (p=0.001). Among 7 positive respondent, 6(85.7%) was sedentary working and 1(14.3%) was inactive (p=0.001). While waist hip ratio among those, 2(28.6%) were excellent and 5(71.4%) were average; was not significant (p=0.745). Prevalence of hypertension in apparently healthy school going children of Sylhet city was 0.70% and this had a strong relationship with obesity, family history of hypertension, dietary habit and physical activity.