Abstract:
Objective—To describe the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors in western Kenya using a
Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS).
Design—Population-based survey of residents in an HDSS
Setting—Webuye Division in Bungoma East District, Western Province of Kenya
Patients—4037 adults ≥18 years of age
Interventions—Home-based survey using the World Health Organization STEPwise approach
to chronic disease risk factor surveillance
Main outcome measures—Self-report of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, tobacco use,
alcohol use, physical activity and fruit/vegetable intake
Results—The median age of the population was 35 years (IQR: 26–50). Less than 6% of the
population reported high blood pressure or blood sugar. Tobacco and alcohol use were reported in
7% and 16% of the population, respectively. The majority of the population (93%) was physically active. The average number of days per week that participants reported intake of fruits (3.1 +/−
0.1) or vegetables (1.6 +/− 0.1) was low. In multiple logistic regression analyses, women were
more likely to report a history of high blood pressure (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.9–3.9), less likely to
report using tobacco (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.06–0.11), less likely to report alcohol use (OR 0.18, 95%
CI 0.15–0.21) or eat ≥5 servings per day of fruits or vegetables (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76–0.99)
compared to men.
Conclusions—The most common cardiovascular risk factors in peri-urban western Kenya are
tobacco use, alcohol use and inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables. Our data reveal locally-
relevant sub-group differences that could inform future prevention efforts.
