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Vol. 2(4) April 2013
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Ongeti KW
Gakara CN
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Global Advanced
Research Journal of Microbiology (GARJM) ISSN: 2315-5116
April 2013 Vol.
2(4), pp 080-085
Copyright © 2013 Global Advanced
Research Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Blood pressure characteristics among slum dwellers
in Kenya
Kevin W. Ongeti, Julius A. Ogeng’o, Anne N. Pulei,
Beda O. Olabu, Catherine N. Gakara
Department of Human Anatomy, University of Nairobi,
School of Medicine, PO Box 30197 00100 Nairobi.
*Corresponding Author’s Email:
kongeti@aol.com
Accepted 10 April, 2013
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Abstract |
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Objectives: To assess the blood pressure
characteristics of dwellers of Kibera slum. Design:
Descriptive crossectional study Setting: Kibera
slum, Nairobi, Kenya. Patients and Methods: The
blood pressure, resting pulse rate and BMI was
assessed among 400 dwellers of Kibera slum in
Nairobi, Kenya. The data collected was analysed for
frequency and means using a statistical program SPSS.
Results: The mean blood pressure was 122/71mmHg.
Systolic blood pressure was higher in males than in
females (p=0.001). Fifty two (13%) participants,
17.8% of males and 11.1% of the females were
hypertensive. Outstanding factors associated with
hypertension included male gender (p=0.001), a body
mass index (BMI) > 25 and increasing age. Seven of
the patients knew they were hypertensive and 5 were
on antihypertensive therapy. Conclusions: Prevalence
of hypertension in these urban slum dwellers is
comparable to that reported in rural settings
elsewhere in Africa. There is need for public
education concerning management of BMI and
hypertension starting early in life and regular
screening of people at risk in the urban slum
dwellings.
Keyword: Hypertension, Urban Slum, Kenya.
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