Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Hypertension ranks third in the world, after underweight and unsafe sex, in the list of six major risk factors contributing to the global disease. In Kenya, the prevalence stands at 24% in the general population, while among the young adults, the incidence of hypertension has been reported to be in the rise; a fact attributed to increased number of risks. We therefore sought to determine awareness and risk factors of hypertension among young adults attending Tenwek hospital. METHODS: A case-control study of young adults ages 18-35, involving 80 cases and 80 controls at Tenwek Mission Hospital, Bomet County. Cases included males and females newly diagnosed with hypertension (diagnosed at the time of data collection) and if they reported taking antihypertensive medication and reported as hypertensives in the hospital records at any clinic visit or at interview, while controls included persons with no history of hypertension. RESULTS: Those having a BMI≥25 were 3.05 times more likely to be hypertensive (OR: 3.05, 95% CI 1.26, 7.40; p=0.014). Having a relative suffering from hypertension increased almost thrice the odds of being hypertensive (OR: 2.78, 95% CI 1.20, 6. 46; p=0.018). Not drinking alcohol reduced the chance of suffering from hypertension by 70%, (OR=0.30, 95% CI 0.11, 0.81; p=0.017). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension in younger adults is not as low as generally perceived. Preventive measures should be formulated in a manner to address variety of major risk factors in young adults.