Sustained high blood pressure and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in Tanzanian adolescents

Estimates for prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) among adolescents in Africa vary widely and few studies, if any, have documented the results of the recommended stepwise BP screening. In this cross-sectional study in Tanzania, we aimed to estimate prevalence of sustained high BP in 3 public secondary schools using the American Academy of Pediatrics BP screening strategy. On Day 1, one screening automated office BP (AOBP) measurement (Step 1) was followed by two more AOBP measurements (Step 2). Repeat AOBP measurements were obtained after about one month on adolescents with high AOBP measurements on Day 1 (Step 3). Participants with sustained high BP underwent 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (step 4). Of all 500 enrolled participants, the prevalence of high blood pressure at each step in the process was 36.6% (183), 25.6% (128), 10.2% (51), and 2.6%(13) respectively for Steps 1–4. All except 6 students completed all 4 steps of the BP screening algorithm as indicated. We conclude that diagnosis of hypertension in African adolescents should use multiple AOBP measurements over multiple days followed by 24-h ABPM. Screening for high BP in school settings appears to be feasible and could provide a platform for cardiovascular disease education and health promotion.