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Objective: The aim of the study was to measure the blood pressure of University students and relate variation to specific risk factors (age, sex, family history of hypertension, body mass index and smoking).

Patients & Methods: This study is a cross sectional study based on a random sample drawn from 5 of the 14 colleges in the University of Basrah. Field part of the study extended from first of March to middle of May 2010 and involved 330 students.

Results: The results showed that with respect to systolic blood pressure, 17% were in the prehypertension and 1.8% hypertensive. For diastolic blood pressure, 31.8% were in the prehypertension and 3.6% hypertensive. Using multiple logistic regression analysis sex, family history and body mass index predict significantly 9% of the systolic pressure measurements variability. Also body mass index, sex and family history of hypertension could significantly predict 10% of variability. Also body mass index, sex and family history of hypertension could variability predict 10% of variability. Other variables (age, smoking and father education) could not predict significant variability of blood pressure measurements.

Conclusions: Monitoring blood pressure in young adults is worth doing as a high percent of students were either hypertensive or in the prehypertension stage.