Burden of non-communicable diseases among women of reproductive age in Kenya: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among women of reproductive age in Kenya, highlighting the prevalence and risk factors.DesignCross-sectional design based on the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey.SettingKenya.Primary outcomesPredict the burden of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, arthritis, depression, anxiety, breast and cervical cancer.ResultsOverall, 15.9% of Kenyan women aged 15–49 years were living with at least one NCD. The most prevalent NCD among this cohort was hypertension (8.7%) followed by arthritis (2.9%) and depression (2.8%). Our findings revealed that increasing age, increasing wealth, being married or formerly married, being overweight or obese, consuming alcohol and some occupations were risk factors of NCDs among women of reproductive age in Kenya.ConclusionWe conclude that hypertension is the most prevalent NCD among women of reproductive age in Kenya. The findings underscore the multifaceted nature of NCD risk factors in Kenya, emphasising the importance of targeted interventions that consider age, economic status, education, marital status, occupation and lifestyle factors.