Elevated Blood Pressure and Behavioral Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Disease Among School-Going Adolescents in Chengalpattu District, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Harishma Ramesh; Gowthamkarthic Ravichandhiran; Soumya Agadi; Kesavan S; Anand Kumar; Vigneshsamy Muthuchamy

doi:10.55489/njcm.151120244581

Authors

Harishma Ramesh Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2143-2881
Gowthamkarthic Ravichandhiran KLE JGMMMC, Hubli, Kle Academy of Higher education and research, Hubballi, Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2715-5972
Soumya Agadi PSP Medical College Hospital & Research Institute, Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5436-4251
Kesavan S Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
Anand Kumar Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6364-1042
Vigneshsamy Muthuchamy Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2365-4195

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.151120244581

Keywords:

Hypertension, Noncommunicable Disease, Adolescent Behaviours, World Health Organization, WHO-GSHS, AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Abstract

Background: Elevated Blood Pressure (BP), often termed the "silent killer," is characterized by a BP of 140/90 mmHg or higher, influenced by modifiable and non-modifiable factors, particularly during adolescence. Hypertension prevalence among Indian adolescents varies from 2% to 20.5%. Despite the critical impact of adolescent health on India's overall health landscape, literature on the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden and risk factors among Indian adolescents remains limited. The aim is to assess the prevalence of elevated BP and associated risk factors among school-going adolescents in Chengalpattu district.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chengalpattu district schools. Utilizing ChatGPT, multi-stage simple random sampling was performed to select 206 adolescents. They were surveyed using adapted questionnaire from the WHO Global School-Based Student Health Survey, covering sociodemographic details, behavioral risks, and anthropometric data and data analysis was conducted using SPSS.

Results: Among the 206 participants, 54 (26.2%) had elevated BP. Key predictors of elevated BP were age, gender, family history, physical education, and serious injuries. Cyberbullying was also associated with elevated BP (P=0.020).

Conclusions: The increasing trend of NCDs necessitates school and community-based campaigns for risk reduction. Further research on cyberbullying and long-term health interventions is recommended to improve adolescent health and reduce NCDs in Chengalpattu and beyond.

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