ARTERIAL BLOOD PRESSURE OF NIGERIAN URBAN RURAL SCHOOL CHILDREN

Abstract

A survey of arterial blood pressures of 1238 (683 urban and 555 rural) school children was carried out using standard mercury sphymomanometers and ppropriate size cuffs. The mean arterial blood presures increased with age in both sexes, although the rise was more rapid in the urban children. At most ages, the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures, the mean heights and weights of urban subjects were significantly greater than those of rural subjects Height and weight were significant correlates of both systolic 

and diastolic blood presure. The correlation of Quetelet index with blood pressure was poor compared to height and weight. The higher blood pressure levels of the urban children were attributed to the fact that they were heavier and taller. The prevalence of elevated blood pressure were 4.8% and 4.5% in the urban and rural subjects respec- tively. Furtherhmore, the prevalence of significant proteinuria was generally low in both groups of children. It is suggested that in order to evaluate the influence of environ- mental factors on blood pressure in children, the subjects should be matched for height and weight.