#153 - FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH BLOOD PRESSURE PROFILES AMONG STUDENTS IN THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA (UPM) Muhammad Idlan Bin Hanafi, Nur Aisyah Badrol Hisham and Zulfitri ‘Azuan Mat Daud

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH BLOOD PRESSURE PROFILES AMONG STUDENTS IN THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA (UPM)

Muhammad Idlan Bin Hanafi, Nur Aisyah Badrol Hisham and Zulfitri ‘Azuan Mat Daud

Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a global public health burden. It is estimated that up to 17.2% of Malaysian adults have undiagnosed hypertension. However, data pertaining to blood pressure (BP) profiles among Malaysian university students is scarce. This cross sectional study was aimed to determine the BP profiles of students in Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UPM and its associations with socio demographic characteristics, anthropometric measures and lifestyles factors. 

METHODS: A total of 150 students were recruited using convenience sampling method. Two BP measurements were taken using digital BP monitor. Weight, height and body fat percentage were measured. A set of self-administered questionnaire consists of demographic information, food frequency questionnaire and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to determine socio demographic characteristics and lifestyles factors. 

RESULTS: Proportion of hypertension and pre-hypertension was 8% and 32.7%, respectively. Mean systolic and diastolic BP were 117±13 mmHg and 71±11 mmHg, respectively. There were significant differences in terms of weight (t=-2.23, p=0.030), height (t=- 4.56, p=0.000), and sleep duration (t=2.011, p=0.046) on weekdays between normotensive vs pre hypertensive-hypertensive respondents respectively. Sex and course of study showed significant association with BP profiles [(X2=34.76, p=0.00) and (X2=14.88, p=0.01), respectively]. Weight and height was positively correlated with systolic BP (r=0.202, p<0.001) and (r= 0.383, p<0.001) and diastolic BP (r=0.379, p=0.019) and (r= 0.262, p<0.001), respectively. 

CONCLUSION: A total of 8% of the study’s respondents were reported to have BP profile of hypertension that warrants further investigation. 

Keywords- Blood pressure, lifestyle factors, hypertension, prehypertension. 
No. of words= 238 without keywords