Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2025
Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
Published on: November 21, 2013
Prevalence and factors associated with hypertension among adolescents in Sudan: a cross-sectional school-based study
Ahmed Ali Hassan1, Abdullah Al-Nafeesah2, Ashwaq AlEed3,4
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.
Objectives:
There is an increasing rate of elevated blood pressure, or hypertension, in children and adolescents worldwide, including Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Only a few data on adolescent hypertension in SSA, including Sudan, have been published. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among adolescent schoolchildren (within the ages of 10 to 19 years) in Sudan.
Design:
A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted from June to September 2022.
Settings:
Six randomly selected schools in Almatamah, River Nile State, Sudan.
Participants:
Adolescent schoolchildren (within the ages of 10 to 19 years).
Main Outcome Measures:
Sociodemographic information. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were performed in accordance with the standard procedures. An adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed.
Results:
Of the 384 enrolled adolescents, 166 (43.2%) and 218 (56.8%) were boys and girls, respectively. The median (IQR) age and body mass index (BMI) were 15.2 years (14.0‒16.4 years) and 18.5 kg/m2 (16.4‒21.5 kg/m2), respectively. Of the 384 adolescents, 240 (62.5%) and 255 (66.4%) had educated mothers and fathers (≥secondary), respectively. 38 adolescents (9.9%) had hypertension (≥95th percentile). The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that age, sex and maternal educational level were not associated with hypertension. Paternal educational level according to secondary education attainment (adjusted OR (AOR), 2.72; 95% CI 1.36‒5.46) and increasing BMI (AOR, 1.12; 95% CI 1.02‒1.20) were associated with hypertension.
Conclusion:
1 in 10 adolescents in northern Sudan was hypertensive. Low paternal educational level and increasing BMI were significantly associated with hypertension. The introduction of interventional nutritional programmes at early ages is needed to ensure that adolescents are healthy in their present and later lives. To sustain such programmes, involving all educational parties at early stage is essential.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Factors affecting Blood pressure
Physiological Factors:
01:18Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure
01:30Alterations in Blood Pressure
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart...
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
01:30Blood Pressure
The average BP in an adult is typically around 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). In this measurement, the numerator (120) indicates the systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart's ventricles as blood is expelled. The denominator (80) represents the...
01:28Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.