PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Rufina N B Ayogu AU - Chinenye Juliet Nwodo TI - Epidemiological characteristics of hypertension, impaired fasting capillary glucose and their comorbidity: a retrospective cross-sectional population-based study of rural adolescents in Southeast Nigeria AID - 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041481 DP - 2021 May 01 TA - BMJ Open PG - e041481 VI - 11 IP - 5 4099 - http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e041481.short 4100 - http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/5/e041481.full SO - BMJ Open2021 May 01; 11 AB - Objective To assess the prevalence of hypertension, impaired fasting capillary glucose (IFCG) and coexistence of both as well as determinants of these conditions among rural adolescents.Design A retrospective cross-sectional population-based study.Setting Three rural communities in southeast Nigeria.Participants A total of 401 adolescents (10 – 19 years) selected through a five-stage sampling technique completed the study. Sick adolescents, pregnant and nursing adolescent mothers were excluded.Primary outcome measures Prevalence and determinants of hypertension, IFCG and comorbidity of both were assessed through weight, height, blood pressure, fasting capillary glucose measurements and statistical analysis.Results Prehypertension (10.7%), hypertension alone (12.7%), IFCG alone (11.0%), diabetes (0.2%) and hypertension with IFCG (6.2%) were prevalent among the adolescents. The adolescents aged 15 – 19 years were less likely to be affected by hypertension alone (adjusted OR (AOR)=0.36, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.74, p<0.01). The likelihood of having hypertension alone was three times higher among those who smoked any substance (AOR=3.43, 95% CI 1.34 to 8.78, p<0.05) and 2.85 times higher among those who consumed alcohol (AOR=2.85, 95% CI 1.33 to 6.10, p<0.01). Meal skipping (AOR=2.69, 95% CI 1.16 to 6.25, p<0.05), consumption of fried/baked snacks (AOR=15.46, 95% CI 1.62 to 147.37, p<0.05) and vegetables (AOR=2.27, 95% CI 1.11 to 4.66, p<0.05) were also significant risk factors of hypertension alone. Skipping meals (AOR=2.15, 95% CI 0. 93 to 4.99, p>0.05) and longer than 7 hours of night sleep (AOR=1.88, 95% CI 0.94 TO 3.73, p>0.05) increased the risk of IFCG alone by twofold. Female adolescents (AOR=0.29, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.78, p<0.05) and those who consumed fried/baked snacks (AOR=0.09, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.37, p<0.01) were less likely to have hypertension with IFPG than males and those who consumed non-fried/baked snacks, respectively.Conclusion This study reported relatively low prevalence of hypertension alone, IFCG alone, hypertension with IFCG and epidemiological characteristics that can become focus of interventions to curtail the emergence of cardiovascular events at an early age. Awareness creation through health and nutrition education is emphasised.Data are available on reasonable request. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. Data sharing statement: No additional data are available. All data relevant to the study are included in the article and are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.