Hypertension is a chronic disease characterized with persistent elevated blood pressure readings. Historically known to be an adult disease, adolescent hypertension is now on the rise in many countries worldwide, however still underdiagnosed and undermined. This is a cross sectional descriptive study designed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors among adolescents in selected barangays of Zamboanga City. Three hundred (300) participants were surveyed and included in the study through systematic random sampling. For data gathering, a researcher-administered survey questionnaire was formulated, translated and pretested for validation. This questionnaire was utilized in the study. Blood pressure and anthropometrics (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, BMI) were measured and calculated. Diet and physical activity were also included. Data were processed using descriptive statistics. The result of the study revealed a prevalence of adolescent hypertension of 8.67%. There was an equal prevalence of hypertension on both genders showing no gender difference. Hypertension was seen more in older age. Among hypertensive participants, a prevalence of 69.23% was with family history of hypertension. Prevalence of modifiable risk factors such as increased BMI (overweight and obesity), high sodium intake and low physical activity were seen high among hypertensive participants, 50%, 92.31% and 53.85% respectively. This study confirmed the presence and prevalence of hypertension among adolescents in Zamboanga City. Risk factors such as gender, older age, family history of hypertension, increased BMI, high sodium diet and low physical activity are seen among hypertensive adolescents.

Keyword: Hypertension and its known risk factors