Prevalence of the risk factors for non-communicable diseases among women of reproductive age: a complex sample analysis of the 2022 Kenya demographic and health survey

Background: Globally, 41 million deaths occur annually from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with 73% of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Approximately two out of three women die from NCDs, which is estimated to be 19million deaths annually among women. Of the 19 million deaths in women each year, NCDs are responsible for 74% of all deaths globally. Although the development of NCDs is associated with multiple NCD risk factors, little is known about the factors associated with these risk factors in women of low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the risk factors for NCDs among women of reproductive age in Kenya. Methods: Secondary data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) of 2022 were analyzed, comprising 32,156 women aged 15-49 years. A two-stage stratified sampling was employed to select the participants. Univariable and Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted using SPSS (version 29). Results Overall, 30.6% (95%CI:29.9-31.4) of the women in Kenya had at least one of the five NCD risk factors. Whereas 6.4% (95%CI:6.0-6.8) had multiple NCD risk factors (≥2). Across NCD risk factors, the largest percentage of women were overweight or obese (38.3% (95%CI:37.2-39.5) followed by those who had inadequate weekly exercises (34.2% (95%CI:32.7-35.7), those who lived a sedentary life (6.6% (95%CI:5.9-7.3) or sat for >8hours per day, those who used tobacco (0.5% (95%CI:0.4-0.7), and those who consumed alcohol (0.3% (95%CI:0.2-0.4). In terms of multiple NCD risk factors, the majority of the participants were overweight/obese and did inadequate weekly exercises (11.8% (95%CI:10.9-12.7) followed by those that were overweight/obese and lived a sedentary life (2.1% (95%CI:1.7-2.5), and those who used tobacco and were obese/overweight (0.3% (95%CI:0.2-0.4). Several factors that were associated with NCD risk factors included region, ethnicity, woman and husband working status, age, wealth index, religion, perceived health status, HIV status, and media access. Conclusion Among NCD risk factors, obesity/overweight emerged as the most prevalent. A third of the women (1 in 3) had at least one of the five NCD risk factors, inadequate physical exercise, and were obese. The NCD risk factors were influenced by sociodemographic factors. There is a need to impose stringent policies on tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and the food industry to create and make healthier food options easily available, accessible, and desirable, especially in urban areas. In addition, stakeholders need to scale up health education regarding healthy dietary habits and better lifestyles (adequate physical activity, limiting sedentary life, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption) among women and men during hospital visits, on social media platforms, and at the community-based level.