Profile of people with hypertension in Nairobi’s slums: a descriptive study

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a rising health burden among the world’s poor with hypertension as the main risk factor. In sub-Saharan Africa, hypertension is increasingly affecting the urban population of which a substantial part lives in slums. This study aims to give insight into the profile of patients with hypertension living in slums of Nairobi, Kenya. METHODS: Sociodemographic and anthropometric data as well as clinical measurements including BP from 440 adults with hypertension aged 35 years and above living in Korogocho, a slum on the eastern side of Nairobi, Kenya, will be collected at baseline and at the first clinic visit. CONCLUSION: The study population showed high prevalence of overweight and abdominal obesity as well as behavioral risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and a low vegetable and fruit intake. Furthermore, the majority of hypertensive patients do not take anti-hypertensive medication and the ones who do show little adherence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current controlled trials ISRCTN84424579.