Relationship between Demographic Factors and Body Mass Index with the Prevention of Hypertension in Adolescents

Abstract

Background: Hypertension or increased blood pressure is often referred as the silent killer because it usually does not show significant signs and symptoms. Thus, almost all patients do not realize if they suffer from hypertension. The Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) 2007 reported that the prevalence of hypertension in the population aged over 18 years old in Indonesia was 31.7%. Because of the increasing prevalence of hypertension in adolescence, it is necessary to take precautions. This study aimed to examine the relationship between demographic factors and body mass index with the prevention of hyper­tension in adolescents Subjects and Method: This was a cross sec­tional study conducted at Muhammadiyah 1 Senior high school, Yogyakarta, from May 2017 to February 2018. A sample of 80 students was selected for this study. The dependent variables were prevention behavior. The independent variables were age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and residence. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by Chi square. Results: 48 (60%) students had good hyper­tension prevention behavior. Female (OR= 3.00; p= 0.030), urban residence (OR= 2.78; p= 0.040), and normal body weight (OR= 4.30; p= 0.001) increased behavior of hypertension prevention, and they were statistically signi­ficant. Older age (OR= 1.59; p= 0.220) incre­ased behavior of hypertension preven­tion, but it was statistically non-significant. Conclusion: Female, urban residence, normal body weight, and older age increase behavior of hypertension prevention. Keywords: hypertension prevention behavior, demographic factors Correspondence:  Ratna Indriawati. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Uni­versitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Yogya­karta 55183 Indonesia. Email: r_indriawati­wibowo@yahoo.com Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior (2020), 5(2): 72-78 https://doi.org/10.26911/thejhpb.2020.05.02.01