Non-communicable Diseases and Associated Risk Factors among People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in a Rural Hospital in Kenya

Authors : Susan Onyango, Laurent De Kiev Cleenewerck, Moyosola Bamidele, Denis Bwesigye Akankunda

Pages : 72-82

Doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1506285

View : 38 | Download : 81

Publication Date : 2025-03-07

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Introduction: Non-communicable diseases are a growing burden in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Kenya has good documentation of the prevalence of non- communicable diseases in the general population, but not in people living with human immunodeficiency virus. Objective: The study assessed the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus and associated risk factors for non-communicable disease in this population. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 1,595 people aged 18 to 69 in a rural HIV clinic using the World Health Organization\\\'s stepwise approach. We used descriptive statistics to examine the baseline characteristics. We reported prevalence, calculated the mean of knowledge for risk factors, and identified the factors associated with the diagnoses for non-communicable diseases by using multiple regression. We defined diabetes mellitus as fasting blood sugar ≥ 7 mmol/l (126mg/dl), hypertension as blood pressure≥140/90 mmHg, and obesity for men and women with waist circumference >102 cm and >88 cm, respectively. Results: The proportion of women participants was 65.9%. Diabetes accounted for 10.3%, hypertension 9.8%, and obesity 32.7%. The ratio of those who had ever been screened for diabetes before were 9.2%, while those who had ever been screened for hypertension were 21.8%. Alcohol use was 12.5%, while physical inactivity was 15%. The mean score for knowledge of risk factors for hypertension was 0.9 and for diabetes mellitus, it was 0.3, both out of 8. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were associated with obesity, increased number of years on antiretroviral therapy, advanced age, and physical inactivity. Conclusion and Contribution: The study reported a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, low knowledge of risk factors, and limited screening for non-communicable diseases highlighting missed opportunities for prevention. Implementing early screening and health education in the standard care package for HIV/AIDS (Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is crucial as a strategy for the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
Keywords : Diabetes Mellitus, Hipertansiyon, Obezite, HIV, Bulaşıcı olmayan hastalıklar, Risk faktörleri, Prevalans