An epidemiological assessment of blood pressure determinants in an adolescent population of Nigerians

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Pediatric Health
• Cardiovascular Science

Background:

• Blood pressure determinants in adolescents are crucial for long-term cardiovascular health.
• Limited data exists on blood pressure determinants among Nigerian adolescents.
• Adolescent lifestyle factors like alcohol use and parental education can influence health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the epidemiological determinants of blood pressure in Nigerian adolescents.
• To identify predictors of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in this population.

Main Methods:

• Epidemiological assessment of 254 Nigerian adolescents (aged 6-17) in Benin City.
• Data collection included blood pressure, body mass index, heart rate, and lifestyle factors.
• Statistical analysis identified independent predictors of blood pressure.

Main Results:

• Age, body mass index, and heart rate were significant predictors of systolic blood pressure in males (explaining 49% of variance).
• Age and heart rate predicted systolic blood pressure in females (explaining 47% of variance).
• Age was the only independent predictor of diastolic blood pressure for both sexes.

Conclusions:

• Age, body mass index, and heart rate are key determinants of systolic blood pressure in Nigerian adolescents.
• Age is a critical factor for diastolic blood pressure in this demographic.
• Findings highlight the importance of monitoring these factors for cardiovascular health in adolescents.