Parental response to identification of elevated blood pressure or cholesterol following school-based screening

The objective of this study was to identify factors that influenced compliance with a recommendation for reevaluation of an elevated cholesterol or blood pressure level following a school-based screening examination. A questionnaire was developed and mailed to parents of 103 5th- through 8th-grade students who had received such a recommendation. A total of 72 usable questionnaires were returned. There were no significant physiologic, health, or demographic differences between the respondents and the nonrespondents. Of the respondents, 38 (53%) had their child's cholesterol or blood pressure level reevaluated. There were no differences in mean levels of total cholesterol or blood pressure between those reevaluated and those who were not. The factor most often associated with compliance was parents' reported concern about their children's health. Of note was the apparent lack of action by many physicians when presented with blood pressure and cholesterol values above recommended levels. Further study is needed to determine appropriate interventions to enhance compliance.