Publication

Abstract : A study was conducted to find out the Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Intervention Programme on blood pressure of school children from selected schools of Kerala.Objectives of the study(1) To find out the prevalence of pre hypertension and hypertension among school children. (2) To find out the effectiveness of a multi component intervention programme on blood pressure of school childrenMethodology & DesignEvaluative research approach with pre-test post-test control group design was used. 220 school children with pre hypertension in the age group of 13–16 years studying in 8th and 9th standards were included using simple random sampling in the study after screening 1328 children. A multi component intervention programme aimed at diet, exercise and lifestyle modifications of school children was then implemented.ResultsThe prevalence of pre systolic hypertension and pre diastolic hypertension among the study population was 265/1000 and 226/1000 respectively. The mean systolic blood pressure in the experimental group was significantly reduced after the multi component intervention programme (117.23 ± 5.36) compared to pre-test (119.25 ± 4.90). There was a significant association of systolic blood pressure of school children only with their class of study (x2= 4.98, p=0.026).ConclusionMulti component intervention programme was effective in reducing the blood pressure of school children. The results of the present study is very much encouraging that similar programmes can definitely help in controlling life style diseases among children which is an emerging public health problem