Abstract:
Background: Whilst the burden of non-communicable diseases is increasing in developing countries, little data is
available on blood pressure among Tanzanian children. This study aimed at determining the blood pressure profiles
and risk factors associated with elevated blood pressure among primary school children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Methods: We conducted a cross sectional survey among 446 children aged 6–17 years from 9 randomly selected
primary schools in Dar es Salaam. We measured blood pressure using a standardized digital blood pressure
measuring machine (Omron Digital HEM-907, Tokyo, Japan). We used an average of the three blood pressure
readings for analysis. Elevated blood pressure was defined as average systolic or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90th
percentile for age, gender and height.
Results: The proportion of children with elevated blood pressure was 15.2% (pre-hypertension 4.4% and
hypertension 10.8%). No significant gender differences were observed in the prevalence of elevated BP. Increasing
age and overweight/obese children were significantly associated with elevated BP (p = 0.0029 and p < 0.0001)
respectively. Similar associations were observed for age and overweight/obesity with hypertension. (p = 0.0506 and
p < 0.0001) respectively. In multivariate analysis, age above 10 years (adjusted RR = 3.63, 95% CI = 1.03–7.82) was
significantly and independently associated with elevated BP in this population of school age children.
Conclusions: We observed a higher proportion of elevated BP in this population of school age children. Older age
and overweight/obesity were associated with elevated BP. Assessment of BP and BMI should be incorporated in
school health program in Tanzania to identify those at risk so that appropriate interventions can be instituted
before development of associated complications.
