Childhood hypertension and family history of hypertension in primary school children in Port Harcourt

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To determine the relationship between childhood hypertension and family history of hypertension in primary school children in Port Harcourt.

Methods: 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 pretested questionnaire completed by parents / guardians. The average of three blood pressure measurements, weight and height were taken for each pupil, using standardized techniques. Hypertension was defined as average systolic and / or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age, gender and height using the standard blood pressure charts. Family history of hypertension was defined as either parent indicating on the submitted questionnaire that they were hypertensive (diagnosed by a physician and/or on antihypertensive drugs) or had a family history of hypertension.

Results: 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 mean age of pupils studied was 8.82±1.91 years. Sixty one (4.7%) of the pupils examined had hypertension. Of the 1302 pupils, 316 (24.3%) had a family history of hypertension. The mean systolic(p<0.001) and diastolic (p=0.220) blood pressures were higher in children with a family history of hypertension than in those without. Of the pupils that had a family history of hypertension, 7.9% had hypertension, while 3.7% of those that did not have a family history, were found to be hypertensive (p=0.001).

Conclusion: A family history of hypertension was associated with a higher prevalence of childhood hypertension than was seen in children without a family history of hypertension.

Keywords: Childhood Hypertension, Family history.