Investigation of the Association of Blood Pressure with Some Haematological Parameters of University Students of Niger Delta Descendant, Nigeria

It is generally believed that functional disturbances of body systems could possibly influence the body blood pressures and thus, could as well alter some hematological parameters of an individual in stressed condition. This study was aimed at determining the influence of blood pressure on the hematological parameters of students in our local community, thus, it is firmly believed that data generated will be used for prompt management of potential illness that could be linked to such health conditions. A comparative epidemiological in/out school based survey; and a purposive sampling technique was explored for population choice. However, disproportionate stratified sampling technique was used to select one hundred apparently healthy subjects, comprising of 60 students and 40 controls of equal sex distribution within both groups. Blood pressure was estimated with the Omron sphygmomanometer (Japan) and blood samples were analyzed using the DX500 Beckman Coulter (USA). While Westergren method was explored for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Results were presented as mean ±SD while inference was deduced when analyzed using SPSS version 21 for unpaired ttest and ANOVA at 5%. The blood pressure readings of the male students 119/82 ± 12/10mmHg and females students 124/82 ± 14/10mmHg (systolic/diastolic) respectively revealed no statistically significant difference at p>0.05 in both male and female students population. The indices of the erythrocyte population showed significant (P<0.05) sex disparity for both the Haemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume, likewise the result of ESR whereas, the white blood cell count showed no variation (p>0.05) between the male and female students. The control subjects showed that almost all parameters investigated were comparatively similar (p>0.05) except the haemoglobin parameter which showed a discrepancy (p<0.05) between the male control and female controls. Also, among male students and control males showed mean difference (P<0.05) in the age, WBC and ESR while; the observation revealed an agreement in the mean values of the blood pressure, haemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume for both the male students and control males. However, same sex comparison between female students and female controls revealed no indication of statistical variations (p>0.05) in all the mean values. This study has shown that haematological parameters and blood pressures in students remained within the acceptable baseline values except in a disordered state. Hence, there is need for routine checks in more regular intervals among the physically active and vulnerable groups like the students population