Hypertension Incidence Among Students at an Islamic Boarding School in Malang Regency: A Cross Sectional Study

Cardiovascular disease is a major health problem and the leading cause of death, with hypertension as one of its risk factors. There is a paucity in epidemiological data on hypertension in Malang Regency, Indonesia. Here we reported hypertension risk factors found in students of an Islamic Boarding School to contribute to the hypertension epidemiological data of Malang Regency. Data were acquired from 93 students. Vital signs and risk factors associated with hypertension, such as anthropometric measurements, nutritional status, physical activity, and parental history, were recorded. Statistical and descriptive analysis was performed to determine the risk factor associated with the incidence of hypertension. A total of 13 students was included in the hypertension group, while 80 students were in the non-hypertension group. There is a significant difference in age between hypertension and non-hypertension group (Mann Whitney test, p=0.033), with the older age associated with higher risk. BMI and abdominal circumference play as major risk factors (Mann Whitney test, p<0.01, for both factors). The mean of Systolic Blood pressure for hypertension vs. non-hypertension group is 141.76 (±6.0) vs. 118.07 (±11.87) and for Diastolic Blood Pressure is 85.76 (±10.43) vs. 72.52 (±8.69). We suggest that similar studies should be conducted in wider populations.