Prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors among university students: Comparative study

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is commonly known as the “silent killer”, its prevalence is highly variable worldwide and it’s an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The increase of hypertension in the developing countries may be connected with the economic transition within those countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension among university students and the associated risk factors related to hypertension.

Methods: The study used a comparative cross-sectional design. Data were collected from October 2013 to May 2014 at the student University Hostels in Port-Said and Damietta Cities. The sample included 2,029 university students. The data were collected by a structured interview questionnaire, which included data about nutritional lifestyle, stress, exercises, family history and smoking pattern. In addition, blood pressure and body mass index were measured.

Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 26.5% among students in Damietta University compared to 18.1% of students in Port-Said University. The Univariate analysis showed an association between hypertension and age, sex, body mass index (BMI), nutritional lifestyle, stress, physical activity, family history and smoking pattern (p < .05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between hypertension and the above stated factors.

Conclusions and recommendations: The findings of the present study highlighted the prevalence of hypertension among students in Damietta University (26.5%), compared to 18.1% among students in Port Said University. The blood pressure values increased with associated risk factors (age, sex, body mass index, smoking, strss, physical activity and family history). The results of this study recommended that periodic screening and monitoring of students for hypertension should be incorporated into the entrance of the university physical examination, and university students health education on hypertension as a disease and its associated risk factors should be strengthened.