WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Dr. Biswajit Paul, Professor Dr. Afroza Begum, Professor Dr. Manzurul Haque Khan, Dr. Md. Shafiur Rahman and Dr. Irin Hossain*

ABSTRACT

High blood pressure (BP) is a silent killer and the most common risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), chronic kidney diseases and stroke. A cross sectional comparative study was conducted on school and college going adolescent group (Class 9-12) of both hilly and non-hilly area. A total of 594 students (297 from hilly and 297 from non-hilly area), whose age was in the range of 14-18 years and had consented to be a respondents were included in the study. Bandarban was considered as hilly part of study place and Rajshahi as non-hilly. Data was collected by face to face interview through a semi-structured questionnaire consisting information relating to socio-demographic characteristics and physical activity status of respondents which was adopted from International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. The sample included 54.4% girls, and the mean age of the respondents was 16.12 ± 1.04 years. The groups were statistically similar in terms of gender composition but dissimilar in terms of age, religion, education status, salt preserved fish consumption, smoking habit, physical activity and BMI. The male respondents from hilly area had significantly higher systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure compared to that for respondents from non-hilly area. In case of females, the respondents from hilly area had significantly higher systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure compared to that for respondents from non-hilly area. If blood pressure screening programs and counselling on blood pressure control is introduced, it may be beneficial to the population in hilly areas.

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