Research Article
Dietary Consumption Patterns and Development of Hypertension Among Rural and Urban Population of Kisii County, Kenya
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
57-67
Received:
2 May 2025
Accepted:
19 May 2025
Published:
19 August 2025
Abstract: Hypertension, a primary component of cardiovascular diseases, has been a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide because individuals are not able to prevent risk factors to its development. Rising cases of hypertension in Sub Saharan Africa have been attributed to undiagnosed, untreated and inadequately treated hypertension. The prevalence however varies based on rural and urban population residences and risk factors. The risk of developing hypertension is associated with diet composed of high content of saturated fats, salt and trans-fats, low fruit and vegetable intake. Limited studies have been done to compare diet uptake and development of hypertension in rural and urban areas in order to have specific, targeted prevention measures. This study therefore called for the need to determine dietary consumption patterns and development of hypertension among urban and rural populations of Kisii County. The methodology entailed residents aged 30-69 years, from urban and rural population of Nyaribari Chache Sub County, Kisii County who were sampled resulting in 490 respondents. Random sampling technique was used and all who met the inclusion criteria were interviewed. Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) Version 21 was used to analyze data. Results from the study indicated that te prevalence of hypertension for the sampled population was 44.668%; for urban 43.598% and 44.134% for rural. Frequency of fruit consumption (p=0.002) and fruit servings (p=0.018) in a typical week, amount of salt intake (p=0.006) and significance of salt levels (p=0.032) were statistically significant. The population also depicted a poor diet uptake of only one fruit in a typical week (25.7% urban, 30.5% rural), a prior indicator of the existence of a relationship between the predictor and the predicted variables. The study therefore concludes and recommends that residents residing in rural populations should be empowered with knowledge on prevention, early detection and management practices of hypertension which will result in a healthy lifestyle.
Abstract: Hypertension, a primary component of cardiovascular diseases, has been a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide because individuals are not able to prevent risk factors to its development. Rising cases of hypertension in Sub Saharan Africa have been attributed to undiagnosed, untreated and inadequately treated hypertension. The prevalence...
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Nickson Okiomeri Ogugu
