Prevalence and factors associated with behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases among men in Kenya: a complex samples analysis of the 2022 KDHS

Introduction : The burden and mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) particularly in low and middle-income countries remain high. Behavioural risk factors play a major role in the development and increase in number of men with NCDs. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases among men in Kenya using the 2022 Kenya demographic and health survey (KDHS). Methods : Secondary data of 14,453 men from the 2022 KDHS were used. Univariable and Multivariable logistic regression was conducted using a complex analysis package in SPSS, version 29. Results : Overall, 46.2% (95% CI: 44.7–47.7) of men had at least one behavioral risk factor, while 13.8% (95% CI: 12.9–14.9) had multiple risk factors. Among Kenyan men, the most prevalent behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were alcohol consumption (26.6%; 95% CI: 25.3–27.9) and tobacco use (13.3%; 95% CI: 12.5–14.2), followed by inadequate weekly physical activity (19.5%; 95% CI: 17.9–21.1) and living a sedentary lifestyle (5.2%; 95% CI: 4.6–5.8). In terms of multiple NCD risk factors, the majority of the participants used tobacco and consumed alcohol (8.6% (95%CI: 8.0-9.3) followed by those that consumed alcohol and had inadequate physical exercises (4.5% (95%CI: 3.7–5.4) and those who used tobacco and had inadequate physical exercises (1.8% (95%CI: 1.5–2.2). We found several factors that were associated with NCD risk factors which included age, region, ethnicity, residence, working status, perceived health status, education, marital status, education, religion, wealth index, media access, and household size.Conclusion:We found that close to a half of the men in Kenya had one behavioral risk factors whereas 1 in 10 people had multiple NCD risk factors. This study also seems to suggest that socioeconomic factors influence the adoption of behavioural NCD risk factors among men in Kenya. Based on the study findings, key recommendations include implementing targeted community-based behavior change campaigns to address culturally rooted practices like alcohol and tobacco use among men; promoting workplace wellness programs and active commuting to reduce sedentary lifestyles; expanding access to digital platforms for integrated health promotion messaging; engaging tribal leaders, religious figures, and community influencers to support healthy behavioral norms; and adopting comprehensive interventions that simultaneously address multiple NCD risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity.