Prevalence and Determinants of Elevated Blood Pressure among Undergraduate Health Sciences Students in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Sukainah Y. Al Khalaf *
Nursing Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Suad Al-Abdullatif
Nursing Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Mona Ali Kunswa
Nursing Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam, Saudi Arabia and Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Elevated blood pressure among young adults is an important public health concern because early identification may support timely prevention of future cardiovascular risk. This study assessed the prevalence of elevated blood pressure and its associated factors among undergraduate health sciences students at Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 109 undergraduate students recruited by convenience sampling from five academic departments: Nursing, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Medical Laboratory Sciences, and Respiratory Therapy. Data were collected using structured interviews to assess sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, smoking status, physical activity, and perceived stress. Clinical measurements included blood pressure, weight, height, and body mass index. Blood pressure was measured according to standardised procedures using a calibrated mercury sphygmomanometer. Participants were classified as having elevated blood pressure when systolic blood pressure was ≥120 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure was ≥80 mmHg. Elevated blood pressure included both prehypertension and hypertensive-range blood pressure. Data were analysed using SPSS Statistics, version 23. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent-samples t-tests, and analysis of variance were used, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of high blood pressure was 27.5% among the study participants, while only 4.6% reported a previous diagnosis of high blood pressure. High blood pressure was more common among male students than female students. Significant associations were observed between blood pressure status and sex, smoking status, body mass index, physical activity, employment during studies, and tuition payment source. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure also differed significantly by sex and physical activity status. Conclusion: High blood pressure was common among undergraduate health sciences students in this sample, with several modifiable lifestyle and sociodemographic factors associated with elevated readings. Routine screening and targeted health-promotion activities may support early detection and prevention among university students.
Keywords: Elevated blood pressure, hypertension, prehypertension, undergraduate students, health sciences students, Saudi Arabia, body mass index, smoking, physical activity, cardiovascular risk, cross-sectional study