Co-occurrence of behavioral risk factors of common non-communicable diseases among urban slum dwellers in Nairobi, Kenya

Bibliographic Data

ID19529535
AuthorsTilahun Haregu (0000-0002-8797-0469, African Population and Health Research Center, corresponding author), Tilahun Nigatu Haregu, Samuel Oti (0000-0003-1035-9511, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam), Thaddaeus Egondi (African Population and Health Research Center), Catherine Kyobutungi (0000-0002-5344-5631, African Population and Health Research Center)
Year2015
Volume8
Issue1
Pages28697
Publication date2015-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Health Action (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1654-9716 • E-ISSN: 1654-9880
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.3402/gha.v8.28697
PMID26385542
OpenAlexW2096431515
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited11

BACKGROUND: The four common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 80% of NCD-related deaths worldwide. The four NCDs share four common risk factors. As most of the existing evidence on the common NCD risk factors is based on analysis of a single factor at a time, there is a need to investigate the co-occurrence of the common NCD risk factors, particularly in an urban slum setting in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of co-occurrence of the four common NCDs risk factors among urban slum dwellers in Nairobi, Kenya. DESIGN: This analysis was based on the data collected as part of a cross-sectional survey to assess linkages among socio-economic status, perceived personal risk, and risk factors for cardiovascular and NCDs in a population of slum dwellers in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2008-2009. A total of 5,190 study subjects were included in the analysis. After selecting relevant variables for common NCD risk factors, we computed the prevalence of all possible combinations of the four common NCD risk factors. The analysis was disaggregated by relevant background variables. RESULTS: The weighted prevalences of unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity, harmful use of alcohol, and tobacco use were found to be 57.2, 14.4, 10.1, and 12.4%, respectively. Nearly 72% of the study participants had at least one of the four NCD risk factors. About 52% of the study population had any one of the four NCD risk factors. About one-fifth (19.8%) had co-occurrence of NCD risk factors. Close to one in six individuals (17.6%) had two NCD risk factors, while only 2.2% had three or four NCD risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: One out of five of people in the urban slum settings of Nairobi had co-occurrence of NCD risk factors. Both comprehensive and differentiated approaches are needed for effective NCD prevention and control in these settings

Environmental health · Geography · Non-communicable disease · Population · Public health · Risk factor · Slum · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Demography · Global Health and Epidemiology · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Medicine