ERIC Number: EJ1252305
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Jun
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Evidence to Support Universal Blood Pressure Screening in School-Based Clinical Settings
Silberstein, Juliet; Gwynn, Lisa; Mathew, M. Sunil; Arheart, Kristopher L.; Messiah, Sarah E.
Journal of School Health, v90 n6 p474-481 Jun 2020
Background: Most pediatric elevated blood pressure (BP) remains undiagnosed. The American Academy of Pediatrics states "there is limited evidence to support school-based measurement of children's BP." We explored the utility school-based BP screening. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 4096 students ages 6 to 17 from Title 1 Miami-Dade Public Schools (50% female, 71% non-Hispanic black, 26% Hispanic) had their systolic/diastolic BP (SBP/DBP) and body mass index (BMI) collected over the 2016 to 2017 or 2017 to 2018 school years. Relative risks (RRs) ratios were calculated to estimate normal/elevated SBP/DBP by BMI percentile, ethnicity, and sex. Results: Overall, 26.4% had at least one elevated BP measurement, of which 59% were not obese. RR for obese status was significant for all categories of elevated BP (RRs > 1.88, p < 0.0001). Being either female (RR = 1.34, p = 0.009) or Hispanic (RR = 1.31, p = 0.014) was significantly associated with elevated DBP. BMI accounted for <10% of the variation in BP (SBP: F(1, 4095) = 367.6, adjusted R[superscript 2] = 0.08, p < 0.0001; DBP: F(1, 4095) = 93.3, adjusted R[superscript 2] = 0.02, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: These findings support providing BP screenings in school settings. Low-income and minority students often have limited access to health care, higher obesity rates, and unhealthy behaviors. Our findings support universal school-based BP screening regardless of weight status, particularly among ethnically diverse populations.
Descriptors: Screening Tests, School Health Services, Hypertension, Physical Health, Elementary School Students, Secondary School Students, Body Height, Body Weight, Body Composition, Physiology, Ethnicity, Racial Differences, Gender Differences, Obesity, At Risk Persons, Low Income Students, Minority Group Students, Access to Health Care
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Florida
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A