Knowledge, attitude, perception, and preventive practices toward hypertension among children and adolescents in Ibadan, Southwestern, Nigeria

Hypertension is often considered a problem of the elderly, now become a serious problem that progresses undetected in children and adolescents, and if not diagnosed or managed, it continues into adulthood, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, stroke, and heart failure. Understanding children’s and adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes, risk perceptions, and preventive practices regarding hypertension is essential for designing effective health promotion programs. Therefore, this study assessed these parameters among children and adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 335 children and adolescents aged 8–14 years, selected from both urban and rural communities in Ibadan. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire that collected data on adolescents’ hypertension knowledge, attitude, risk perception, and preventive practices. Collected data were entered and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27.0. Mean, SD, frequency, and percentages were used to report the frequency of variables, and chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the association between variables and independent predictors of hypertension. Statistically significant level was set at a p < 0.05 with a 95% CI. The study showed that only 29.6% of the respondents had heard of hypertension. Overall, 64.5% demonstrated poor knowledge, 77.3% had a positive attitude toward prevention, 55.8% had a high-risk perception, and 55.5% reported good preventive practices. Specific knowledge gaps were identified, including low awareness of normal blood pressure values (7.8%) and the asymptomatic nature of hypertension (24.5%). Positive attitude was significantly associated with preventive practices (AOR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.04–2.96; p = 0.033). Knowledge was not a significant predictor of preventive practices. High-risk perception was moderately associated with engagement in preventive behaviors (X 2 = 47.613; p < 0.05). Children and adolescents in this study generally demonstrated a positive attitude towards hypertension prevention, but knowledge and risk perception remain suboptimal, and preventive behaviors are inconsistent. Targeted interventions, such as school-based hypertension education, routine blood pressure screening, structured physical activity, and nutrition programs, are recommended to strengthen awareness and promote sustainable healthy behaviors among this study population.