Prevalence and Factors Associated with Hypertension among Adolescents in Malaysia
- Author:
Liew JK
- Collective Name: Cheong XP, Law L, Teo WH, Eng SS, Ngim CF , Ramadas A
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
hypertension, adolescent, lifestyle factors, body mass index, waist circumference
- From:
The International Medical Journal Malaysia
2019;18(1):55-64
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Evidence has shown an increase in paediatric hypertension globally and this could give
rise to increase prevalence of adult hypertension. The purpose of this paper was to determine the
prevalence of hypertension among adolescents in Malaysia as well as the association between hypertension
and lifestyle factors selected based on published literature. Methods: Adolescents aged 13-17 years old were
selected randomly from two secondary schools to have their blood pressure measured. Their lifestyle
information was obtained through completed bilingual questionnaires based on validated instruments, as
well as anthropometry measurements. The relationship between hypertension and lifestyle factors was
determined through statistical analysis. Results: A total of 273 students were included in the study with 120
(44%) males and 153 (56%) females. The prevalence of hypertension was 24.5% among the respondents with
the highest being recorded among Malays (28.7%). Generally, hypertension was associated with an increased
Body Mass Index (BMI) (AOR=4.053, 95%CI=1.677-9.795, p=0.002) and waist circumference (WC) (AOR=2.918,
95%CI=1.171-7.269, p=0.021) in all respondents. Similar associations were noted in females (BMI: AOR=7.707,
95%CI=2.043-29.072, p=0.003; WC: AOR=3.690, 95%CI=1.011-13.464, p=0.048) but not in males. Conclusion:
Hypertension recorded high prevalence among Malaysian adolescents in our study. The strong association
between elevated body weight, BMI and WC with hypertension may require further study to evaluate the
need for screening.
- Full text:180112.pdf
