Association Between Psychosocial Stress Factors and Elevated Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria

Abstract Background Hypertension is increasingly recognized as a public health concern among adolescents, particularly in low and middle-income countries where exposure to psychosocial and socioeconomic stressors is widespread. Early identification of risk factors, including modifiable psychosocial influences, is crucial for halting the progress of elevated blood pressure into hypertension in adulthood. This study investigated the association between psychosocial stress and elevated blood pressure in children and adolescents in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 335 children and adolescents aged 8 -14years. Data were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire that assessed exposure to psychosocial stress factors and clinical measurements of blood pressure. Data were analysis using descriptive statistics, and associations explored using Pearson’s and Mantel Haenszel chi-square tests. Results The overall prevalence of psychosocial stress was 51.3%. Overall blood pressure status was statistically significantly associated with stress in home life (χ 2 = 8.134, p = 0.006), social relation (χ 2 = 4.919, p = 0.036) and future uncertainty (χ 2 = 5.100, p = 0.028). Overall psychosocial stress was also statistically associated with overall blood pressure status (χ 2 = 7.943, p = 0.005). In stratified analysis, age was associated with home life stress (p = 0.005), social relation (p = 0.021), future uncertainty (p = 0.014) and financial hardship (p = 0.047). Sex was also significantly associated with homelife (p = 0.007), social relation (p = 0.029), and future uncertainty (p = 0.030). Conclusion Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) measurement are affected differentially by psychosocial stress at different domain. Psychosocial stress also shows significant association with the overall elevated blood pressure at different domain. These findings highlight the importance of psychosocial interventions targeted at adolescents, especially those experiencing socioeconomic and family-related stressors.