title: Correlates for cardiovascular diseases among diabetic/hypertensive patients attending outreach clinics in two Nairobi slums, Kenya.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in the world. Over 80% of CVD related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Diabetes and hypertension, whose prevalence in Kenya is on the rise, are major risk factors for CVD. Despite this, studies indicate that awareness on the management of risk factors for CVD among diabetic/hypertensive patients in African populations is generally low. The aim of the study was to determine the risk factors for CVD among diabetic and/or hypertensive patients attending diabetes and hypertension management clinics in Korogocho and Viwandani slums of Nairobi.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected using questionnaires administered to 206 diabetic/hypertensive patients attending the clinics between July 2010 and February 2011. A review of these patients' medical records was done to determine the history of CVD outcomes such as hypertensive heart diseases, stroke and peripheral arterial diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Majority (66.5%) of the study participants were females mainly in the 51-65 age category. The study findings revealed that 73 (33.4%) respondents had CVD outcomes. In addition, 41.8% of the respondents were not aware of the causes of diabetes/hypertension. Age category 51-65 years had the highest (43.8%) number of respondents with CVD. Sex of the respondents and awareness of the link between hypertension and CVD were significantly associated with CVD outcomes (p<0.05) among the respondents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measures to improve awareness levels among patients at high risk of CVD outcomes are needed to complement other measures to reduce CVD risk among such patients.
authors: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology-College of Health Sciences, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: Gladys
authors: G
authors: Mugure
authors: Kenya Medical Research Institute, Mbagathi Way, Nairobi City, Kenya.
authors: Mohamed
authors: M
authors: Karama
authors: African Population and Health Research Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Kyobutungi
authors: Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology-College of Health Sciences, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Karanja
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011204:Poverty Areas; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Kenya; diabetes; hypertension; slums