Demand for Hypertension and Diabetes Screening in Kenya.

Abstract

Non communicable illness has emerged as a major public health issue and are accountable for about 60% of the global mortality rates. In order to deal with this global burden of NCDS, an improved healthcare system, early detection and timely treatment is required. This research paper has used a secondary cross section data from Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS 2014) data. The data comprise of information on demographic and socio-economic activities of individuals in the entire country. The data was analysed in Stata 14 where the regional pattern of screening and the determinants of demand for screening for each NCD was established. The multivariable probit model showed that residence, region, sex, age, and wealth quintile were significant to screening for hypertension while sex and age were significant to screening for diabetes. The study had a total of 43898 respondents. Out of these, 16,489 did not offer any information on whether they undertake any physical activities and 16,461 did not answer questions on alcohol consumption. Level of screening for either disease was very low. Screening was poorest in North Eastern (n=13, 4.3%) followed by Western (n=30, 10.1%) and Coast (n=30, 10.2%). Majority of the screened people lived in rural parts of the country (n=150, 51%) while those in the urban area were 145(49%) Policy recommendations are based on statistically significant variables which have been established to be age, wealth index, education level, physical activity, and region. Age, education level and physical activities were found to positively affect hypertension and diabetes screening while sex, wealth index and region was found to negatively affect screening for diabetes. Policy makers should prioritize Non-communicable Diseases prevention if the country is to deal with these epidemics. A budget should also be set aside for countrywide campaigns to increase the awareness and importance of NCDs screenings in the country.