Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of global mortality, with over 80% of premature deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Locally, 38% of deaths are attributed to NCDs. Health literacy is a key determinant of health outcomes due to its influence on health behaviour, yet up to 50% of African populations are considered health illiterate....
Author: Joan W Munene
Introduction: The burden of diabetes in Kiambu County requires robust surveillance systems for effective disease management and control. This study assessed performance of Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) surveillance system in Kiambu County, Kenya, focusing on effectiveness, data quality and integration into health service delivery. Objectives were to evaluate existing...
Introduction
Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity among women in low and middle-income countries. Early detection through screening programs is critical for prevention and timely intervention. The cervical cancer screening surveillance system provides vital data to monitor trends, identify high-risk populations, and guide resource allocation.
This report evaluates the...
Background / Introduction:
Non-communicable diseases are rising in Kenya. Integrating prevention into primary health care and employer systems requires scalable, clinician-friendly digital tools. Nairobi Fitness Consulting (NBOFITNESS) developed a cloud-hosted suite of web-applications to support rapid screening, individualized planning and referral pathways for workplace and primary-care...
Introduction: The adoption of advanced technology has significantly improved health systems at the global, regional, and national levels. Kenya is digitising its health system to achieve Universal Health Coverage. This has not only transformed healthcare at health facilities but also enhanced telemedicine.
Methods: We adopted a cross-sectional study design that allowed data collection from...
Background:
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for over 39% of deaths in Kenya, yet access to early screening remains limited, particularly in low-resource and remote settings. Barriers such as cost, travel time, and lack of screening facilities hinder timely risk detection and intervention. Afyalytics is a digital health platform designed to empower individuals to self-assess their...
Introduction: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is an escalating global health concern, with chronic kidney
disease (CKD) representing a major complication. In 2021, CKD-T1D accounted for 94,020 deaths and
3.87 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) worldwide, with both incidence and prevalence
increasing since 1990. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) bears a disproportionate burden, where 36%...
Background
Cancer is a leading cause of mortality in Kenya, with late-stage diagnosis and limited decision support contributing to poor outcomes. Although registries and health records capture substantial data, their use for real-time decision-making remains limited. To address this gap, we developed an AI-enabled platform leveraging Generative AI and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)...
Background:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is among the most prevalent and under-addressed genetic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Kenya. It is associated with recurring pain crises, strokes, and frequent hospitalizations, placing immense strain on patients and the health system. Automated red blood cell exchange (aRBCx) presents clinical advantages over conventional therapies by reducing...
Background
In Kenya, cancer care often suffers from fragmentation across screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. To address these gaps, we developed a fully integrated, AI-powered digital ecosystem for cervical and breast cancer management anchored in clinical workflows and aligned with Kenya’s National Cancer Control Strategy.
Methods
The ecosystem was designed with...
Background
Globally 537 million adults (20-79 years) are living with diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes in Kenya estimated to be 3.1% in 2019 and projected to rise to 4.4% by 2035. Uncontrolled Diabetes is associated with comorbidities and complications with increased risks of morbidity and mortality.
We assessed diabetes control, comorbidities, and complications among people living with...
Background
Safe insulin storage remains a major challenge in humanitarian and off-grid settings. In Kalobeyei Settlement, Turkana County, Kenya, temperatures often exceed 40°C, and most households lack electricity. Without refrigeration, insulin potency is compromised, affecting adherence and increasing complications. Through the Non-Communicable Diseases Continuity in Crisis project,...
Pre-diabetes is a major precursor to Type 2 diabetes whose prevalence surpassed the 2045 projection by 38 million in the year 2024. This study aimed to evaluate clinical and biochemical markers among individuals with pre-diabetes in Ainamoi Sub-County, Kericho, Kenya. The study involved 32 prediabetic individuals aged 25-65 years who were purposively selected to take part in an experimental...
Background: The rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly hypertension, among people living with HIV (PLHIV) presents a significant public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV–hypertension comorbidity worsens treatment burden, increases healthcare costs, and undermines quality of life. Understanding the demographic and clinical factors associated with this...
Background: Cervical cancer accounts for 13.1% of all new female cancers globally. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) 16 and 18 is the leading cause, accounting for over 70% of all cervical cancer cases. In 2019, Kenya introduced HPV vaccine for 10–14-year-old girls. However, the uptake of the vaccine especially among children residing in rural areas of Kitui county was suboptimal. Only (2,388 girls)...
Enhancing Mental Health Service Reach Through Information and Communication Technology at Jerusalem Dispensary.
Authors: Waweru R., Odock D (Jerusalem Dispensary)
BACKGROUND:According to WHO,mental healh is a public health concern, yet majority remain untreated.PLHIV experience substantial mental health challenges, adversely impacting ART adherence and quality of life. Conventional...
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a significant public health challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, where traditional healthcare systems in Sub-Saharan Africa often grapple with limited infrastructure, healthcare worker shortages, and accessibility challenges. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have emerged as promising tools to enhance health promotion and literacy, providing innovative...
ABSTRACT
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains a major global health challenge, particularly in resource-limited countries where conventional treatments are often inaccessible or unaffordable. Fermented foods (FFs), which are widely available and affordable, have been shown to improve glucose metabolism.
Aim: This systematic review aims to synthesize literature evaluating...
Introduction:
In Kenya, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, causing up to 3,200 deaths in 2020. The World Health Organization has recommended human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA testing as the primary screening method for cervical cancer. The Ministry of Health, Kenya, is considering a near point of care test for HPV screening; GeneXpert is a potentially scalable screening...
Background
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs),including hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM),are a growing public health burden in Kenya, accounting for 41% of all annual deaths. The increasing prevalence of these conditions,particularly within primary health care settings, underscores the urgent need for robust health information systems to support...
Background:
Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes significant morbidity and mortality in Kenya, Diabetic foot ulcers
(DFUs) are one of the most severe and costly complications of diabetes. It results from a
combination of multiple causes including peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease.
Patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) constitute the largest proportion of...
Background: Diabetes and hypertension are among the leading non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Kenya, yet financing and policy implementation remain inadequate at the county level. Examining budget allocations and policy adoption highlights gaps and opportunities to strengthen sustainable NCD governance.
Methods: A cross-sectional baseline survey was conducted across all 47 counties...
Introduction
Most food marketing features foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS). In low and middle-income countries like Kenya, children are a key target for food industry marketing. Growing access to digital technologies raises concerns about their exposure to food marketing. This pilot study aimed to establish the feasibility of identifying social media marketing of foods...
Introduction:
Road traffic crashes are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Kenya, with motorcycle (bodaboda) riders disproportionately affected. By July 2025, 2,752 deaths had already surpassed the 2024 total of 2,688. Kiambu County reported 32 motorcycle-related deaths in July alone, second only to Nairobi. Given riders’ dual role as frequent crash victims and first responders,...
Background
Carbohydrate counting supports improved glycemic control in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D). However, its uptake and impact in low-resource settings like Kenya is limited.
Objective
To assess changes in glycemic control following carbohydrate counting education among children and adolescents with T1D at DMI Centre.
Methods
A prospective observational review was...
Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) incidence is increasing in Kenya and can lead to complications such as diabetic retinopathy (DR). DR is currently the leading cause of vision loss in working-age adults worldwide. The risk of developing DR can be reduced by early eye screening, blood sugar and blood pressure control. A 2018 survey in Baringo reported DR prevalence of 24.5%. Baringo County...
Background:
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) present a significant health challenge in Kenya, especially in underserved rural areas with limited access to continuous, integrated care. Traditional models often overlook the social and economic factors influencing health outcomes. The AMPATH BIGPIC Milo Family Care Program, launched in 2016 in Bungoma County, adopts an innovative,...
Introduction:
Rare diseases, though individually uncommon, collectively affect an estimated 4–6% of Kenya’s population and often have severe, chronic outcomes overlapping with non-communicable diseases. However, they remain absent from Kenya’s national health strategies, contributing to delayed diagnosis, fragmented care, and limited access to treatment. This case study examines how lived...
Introduction
The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), processed foods high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fats, is fuelling overweight and obesity in Kenya. In Nairobi, 77% and 73% of schoolchildren consumed SSBs and junk food weekly, while only 49% ate fruits weekly. The KDHS 2022 reported that 70% of women consumed SSBs, and only 49% met the minimum dietary diversity. Among...
Background: Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are a critical link between communities, health providers, and government by promoting health, guiding patients to care, and supporting essential services. With the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Kenya, their role in prevention, early detection, and patient support is increasingly important. This study examined the knowledge,...
Background
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for over 70% of premature adult deaths globally, with many risk behaviors such as tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, poor diet, and physical inactivity beginning in adolescence. In Kenya, increasing smartphone penetration presents a unique opportunity to engage youth with digital health innovations that promote behavior change and...
NCDs constitute 38% of all the deaths in nationally in Kenya
Background
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. More than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and one third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age
There is a shifting trend of non-communicable disease and the CVD is a major public health challenge in...
Background: Central obesity affects approximately 4 out of every 10 people globally, and it is a notable public health concern linked with premature morbidity and mortality. In Kenya, regional studies have approximated the prevalence to range from 37% to 50%. However, these studies have been performed in specific regions or population groups, such as among urban residents or women. Therefore,...
The Kenyan HIV treatment program has grown exponentially with improved survival
among PLHIV. The four NCDs that account for the greatest number of comorbidities among
PLHIV are cardiovascular diseases, cervical cancer, depression and diabetes. The
comprehensive care clinic at Gertrude’s hospital has 1830 active clients as at May 2024,
with >1000 clients at risk of developing...
Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), caused by a homozygous β-globin gene mutation, leads to chronic anemia, vaso-occlusive crises, and high morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa. Taveta Sub-County, Kenya, bears a significant SCD burden, but local data on epidemiology and healthcare gaps remain scarce. This study assesses SCD prevalence, care barriers, and community interventions in...
Introduction
Cervical cancer remains a major public health threat in Kenya, with 5,845 new cases and 3,591 deaths reported in 2022. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the principal cause of cervical cancer, responsible for more than 99% of cases. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends HPV testing as the gold standard for screening women of reproductive age (18–49 years). Quality assurance in...
Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 39% of deaths and over half of hospital bed occupancy in Kenya. Marginalized counties such as Wajir—characterized by vast geography, limited infrastructure, and historically low health investment—face a rising NCD burden. This study assessed the readiness of primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Wajir County to deliver essential NCD...
Introduction
Globally, the rising trend in overweight and obesity has led to a substantial increase of the burden of non-communicable disease across the life course. Estimation of the magnitude of the future disease burden related to high BMI in Kenya could inform priority setting in overweight and obesity prevention and control.
Methods
We used a proportional multistate life table...
Cardiovascular disease (CVD)is becoming a major issue for people living with HIV (PLHIV).According to a study conducted by Shah and others in 2022,the global risk is expected to be 2.5 times higher in than in HIV-uninfected people,accounting for 2.6 million disability-associated life years (DALYs)each year.Inadequate access to medical facilities and professionals makes diagnosing CVD in PLHIV...
Background:
Kenya faces a rising burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, largely driven by unhealthy diets high in sugar, salt, and fat. These risks often begin early in life and accumulate over time, highlighting the need for timely, sustained interventions. Despite existing evidence, Kenya lacked a strong...
Background: Research on health system capacity for non-communicable diseases has largely focused on ‘hardware’ components such as infrastructure and commodities. However, this overlooks the complex adaptive nature of health systems and the critical role of ‘software’ elements such as relationships and power, which also shape health system capacity. This study aims to explore how hardware and...
Background:
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Kenya, contributing to 61.7% of hospital deaths in the 2024 Kenya Vital Statistics Report. Most NCD risk factors including tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, poor diet, and physical inactivity begin before age 25. The Young Health Programme (YHP), AstraZeneca’s community investment...
