Edson Elias Sungwa1, Shangwe Ezekiel Kibona2, Haruna Ismail Dika3, Rose Mjawa Laisser4, Helena Marco Gemuhay5, Titus Kaizilege Kabalimu6, Benson Richard Kidenya7. 1. Department of Reproductive and Child Health, Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 2. Department of Reproductive and Child Health, Ilemela Municipal Council, Mwanza, Tanzania. 3. Department of Physiology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania. 4. Department of Maternal and Child Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania. 5. Department of Paediatric Nursing, St. John's University of Tanzania, Dodoma, Tanzania. 6. Department of Community Medicine, Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 7. Department of Biochemistry, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: hypertension (HTN) among children is reported to be increasing due to sedentary lifestyles. In developed countries the prevalence of paediatric HTN is recorded to be up to 21% while the magnitude of the same is up to 11% in Tanzania. This study aimed to determine the blood pressure profile and factors associated with elevated blood pressure (BP) among children of Mwanza region. METHODS: a cross sectional study involving 742 children aged 6 to 16 years in selected primary schools in Mwanza region was conducted from June to August 2019. Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaires where parents helped children to fill in. Blood pressure, body weight and height were measured using digital portable sphygmomanometer, self-calibrating digital weighing scale and Shorr measuring board respectively. Data were analyzed using EpiInfo. RESULTS: this study found mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 109.2 ± 8.1 mmHg and 62.3 ± 7.2 mmHg respectively. Prevalence of elevated BP was 18.1%. Pre-hypertension 9.6%, and hypertension 8.5%. The age specific elevated BP prevalence was significantly higher (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2 - 2.9, p = 0.008) among children aged ≥10 years (21.4%) than younger ones (15.1%). Prevalence was also higher (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1 - 2.3, p = 0.048) among girls (20.1%) than boys (16.0%). Elevated BP was found to be associated with obesity (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.6 - 7.7, p = <0.001), overweight (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1 - 3.3, p = 0.037), eating fried food (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1 - 4.4, p = 0.023), drinking sugar soft drinks (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2 - 3.5, p = 0.002) and not eating fruits (OR = 13.4, 1.6, 95% CI: 2.1 - 65.8, p-value 0.006). CONCLUSION: findings indicate high prevalence of elevated BP among children of Mwanza region. There was an association between elevated BP and increased age, gender, sedentary lifestyle and obesity. Importance of measuring paediatric blood pressure and health information regarding effects of sedentary life is recommended to Tanzanians. Parents should encourage their children to have active physical activities. Moreover, health workers should implement programmes to modify sedentary lifestyle and prevent children from elevated blood pressure. Copyright: Edson Elias Sungwa et al.
INTRODUCTION: hypertension (HTN) among children is reported to be increasing due to sedentary lifestyles. In developed countries the prevalence of paediatric HTN is recorded to be up to 21% while the magnitude of the same is up to 11% in Tanzania. This study aimed to determine the blood pressure profile and factors associated with elevated blood pressure (BP) among children of Mwanza region. METHODS: a cross sectional study involving 742 children aged 6 to 16 years in selected primary schools in Mwanza region was conducted from June to August 2019. Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaires where parents helped children to fill in. Blood pressure, body weight and height were measured using digital portable sphygmomanometer, self-calibrating digital weighing scale and Shorr measuring board respectively. Data were analyzed using EpiInfo. RESULTS: this study found mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 109.2 ± 8.1 mmHg and 62.3 ± 7.2 mmHg respectively. Prevalence of elevated BP was 18.1%. Pre-hypertension 9.6%, and hypertension 8.5%. The age specific elevated BP prevalence was significantly higher (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2 - 2.9, p = 0.008) among children aged ≥10 years (21.4%) than younger ones (15.1%). Prevalence was also higher (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1 - 2.3, p = 0.048) among girls (20.1%) than boys (16.0%). Elevated BP was found to be associated with obesity (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.6 - 7.7, p = <0.001), overweight (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1 - 3.3, p = 0.037), eating fried food (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1 - 4.4, p = 0.023), drinking sugar soft drinks (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2 - 3.5, p = 0.002) and not eating fruits (OR = 13.4, 1.6, 95% CI: 2.1 - 65.8, p-value 0.006). CONCLUSION: findings indicate high prevalence of elevated BP among children of Mwanza region. There was an association between elevated BP and increased age, gender, sedentary lifestyle and obesity. Importance of measuring paediatric blood pressure and health information regarding effects of sedentary life is recommended to Tanzanians. Parents should encourage their children to have active physical activities. Moreover, health workers should implement programmes to modify sedentary lifestyle and prevent children from elevated blood pressure. Copyright: Edson Elias Sungwa et al.
Authors: Jean Jacques Noubiap; Mickael Essouma; Jean Joel Bigna; Ahmadou M Jingi; Leopold N Aminde; Jobert Richie Nansseu Journal: Lancet Public Health Date: 2017-07-31
Authors: Neema R Mosha; Michael Mahande; Adinan Juma; Innocent Mboya; Rob Peck; Mark Urassa; Denna Michael; Jim Todd Journal: Glob Health Action Date: 2017 Impact factor: 2.640
Authors: Alfa J Muhihi; Marina A Njelekela; Rose N M Mpembeni; Bikolimana G Muhihi; Amani Anaeli; Omary Chillo; Sulende Kubhoja; Benjamin Lujani; Mwanamkuu Maghembe; Davis Ngarashi Journal: BMC Pediatr Date: 2018-02-13 Impact factor: 2.125