Prevalence of hypertension in high school children in urban and rural regions of Telangana: a cross-sectional comparative study

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Urban residence was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of adolescent hypertension compared to rural residence (14.2% vs 8.2%), with an overall prevalence of 11.5%.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Adolescent hypertension (n=1200). Intervention: Urban residence (Hyderabad) vs. Rural residence (Sadasivapet). Primary outcome: Prevalence of hypertension (classified per age-, sex-, and height-specific percentile criteria) (p=<0.05).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Urban adolescents have a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension than rural adolescents (14.2% vs. 8.2%), with elevated blood pressure strongly associated with higher BMI, physical inactivity, and frequent junk food consumption. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess and compare the prevalence of hypertension among high school students in urban and rural Telangana and identify associated modifiable risk factors.

Alina Husain; Kshitija Singh; Nagoor Khadervali; Koena Dixit

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20264112

October 30, 2026International Journal of Community Medicine and Public HealthOpen Access

Prevalence of hypertension in high school children in urban and rural regions of Telangana: a cross-sectional comparative study

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Key result

Urban residence is linked to a ~6-percentage-point higher prevalence of adolescent hypertension versus rural living.

P<0.05
n=1,200

Why the study?

Hypertension (HTN) is increasingly recognised as a paediatric concern with significant long-term cardiovascular implications, motivating a comparison of HTN prevalence and associated modifiable risk factors among high school children in urban and rural settings of Telangana.

Key Points

To assess and compare the prevalence of hypertension among high school students in urban and rural Telangana and identify associated modifiable risk factors.
Cross-sectional school-based study conducted between January and December 2025 across eight high schools in urban (Hyderabad) and rural (Sadasivapet) Telangana.
Enrolled 1200 students aged 13–15 years (600 urban and 600 rural; 52.0% boys) via multistage random sampling.
Collected standardized blood pressure and anthropometric measurements alongside structured questionnaire data regarding physical activity and dietary habits.
Overall hypertension prevalence was 11.5%, occurring at a significantly higher rate among urban students (14.2%) than rural students (8.2%), with prehypertension observed in 6.9% of all participants.
Elevated blood pressure correlated strongly with body mass index (p<0.01), affecting 10.8% of normal-weight students, 33.5% of overweight students, and 58.7% of obese students.
Lifestyle factors significantly tracked with blood pressure status: regular physical exercise was linked to lower elevated blood pressure rates (14.8%, p<0.05), whereas consuming junk food three or more times weekly was associated with higher rates (27.6%, p<0.01).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=1,200)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

P

Population

1,200 high school students aged 13-15 years (mean age 14.0, 48.0% female) from urban and rural schools in Telangana, India, free of pre-existing cardiac, renal, or endocrine disorders, assessed in a cross-sectional study.

C

Comparator

Urban region (Hyderabad, n=600) versus rural region (Sadasivapet, n=600) high school students

O

Outcome

Prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension classified according to age-, sex-, and height-specific percentile criteria of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents, measured via standardized seated auscultatory mercury sphygmomanometry (average of the last two of three readings taken at 5-minute intervals).surrogate

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 14.2% vs 8.2%

p-value: p=<0.05

This cross-sectional study demonstrates a substantial 11.5% prevalence of adolescent hypertension in Telangana, India, with a significantly higher burden in urban (14.2%) versus rural (8.2%) settings strongly driven by elevated BMI, physical inactivity, and junk food consumption.

Limitations

Cross-sectional design precludes causal inference regarding temporal relationships between risk factors and hypertension.
Reliance on self-reported dietary and physical activity data may have introduced recall or social desirability bias.
Single-day blood pressure measurement (average of last two of three readings) does not fully account for confirmatory office visits recommended in some pediatric BP guidelines.
Cross-sectional design precludes causal inference regarding the temporal relationship between risk factors and hypertension
Reliance on self-reported dietary and physical activity data may have introduced recall or social desirability bias
Use of mercury sphygmomanometer requires meticulous technique
Single-day blood pressure measurement does not fully account for confirmatory office visits recommended in some paediatric BP guidelines

Implication

Urban school screening merits evaluation; extends geographic disparity data but leaves open causal mechanisms and interventions.

Abstract

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is increasingly recognised as a paediatric concern with significant long-term cardiovascular implications. This study aimed to assess and compare the prevalence of HTN among high school children in the urban and rural settings of Telangana and to identify associated modifiable risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional, school-based study was conducted from January to December 2025 across four government and four private high schools each in urban (Hyderabad) and rural (Sadasivapet) regions. A total of 1200 students aged 13-15 years were enrolled using multistage random sampling. Data were collected through a pretested structured questionnaire and standardised anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 11.5%. Urban prevalence (14.2%) was significantly higher than rural prevalence (8.2%). A significant association was observed between elevated blood pressure and higher BMI (p<0.01), reduced physical activity (p<0.05), and frequent junk food consumption (p<0.05). Conclusions: Hypertension is a prevalent, under-recognised condition among Telangana adolescents, with a disproportionate urban burden. Preventive strategies targeting modifiable risk factors through school-based screening and health education are warranted.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Husain et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Adolescent hypertension (n=1,200). Urban residence (Hyderabad) vs. Rural residence (Sadasivapet) was evaluated on Prevalence of hypertension (classified per age-, sex-, and height-specific percentile criteria) (p=<0.05). Urban residence was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of adolescent hypertension compared to rural residence (14.2% vs 8.2%), with an overall prevalence of 11.5%.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6ae682cae432e7a5c4ef376f https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20264112

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Prevalence of hypertension in high school children in urban and rural regions of Telangana: a cross-sectional comparative study

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Prevalence of hypertension in high school children in urban and rural regions of Telangana: a cross-sectional comparative study

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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