Prevalence of hypertension and associated cardiovascular risk factors in an urban slum in Nairobi, Kenya: A population-based survey.
In conclusion the age adjusted prevalence of hypertension is high, even among the urban poor
living in a low income country, and is significantly correlated with overweight and obesity
that is not uncommon among this community. Majority of the hypertensive subjects are
undetected and therefore unaware of the risks they face; a recognised major impediment to
control of hypertension. This points to the need for greater awareness of hypertension in the
general population and health care givers. In tandem, within the health system greater
emphasis needs to be placed on detection, treatment and control of high blood pressure.
Preventive efforts targeting behavioural lifestyle changes, at community level, to curtail these
risk factors at population and individual level is urgently required. Reducing these risk factors
will not only have an effect on hypertension, but will also have wide-reaching beneficial
effects for other chronic non-communicable diseases.