Honors Theses

Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Degree Name

BS

Department

Biomedical Sciences

Faculty Mentor

Nancy A. Rice, Ph.D.

Advisor(s)

Alison K. Henry, Ph.D. and Derek W. Werthmann, Ph.D.

Abstract

In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are prevalent and pose a major concern as the current healthcare systems are oriented primarily towards communicable diseases. The largest contributor to CVDs, hypertension, is a significant issue in Kenya, a model LMIC. Based on previous studies in this lab, high rates of hypertension are present in the region of Kasigau, Kenya. Kasigau is a small region within Taita-Taveta County, Kenya. Traditional risk factors are not necessarily predictive of hypertension in all regions of Kenya. This study aims to address the lack of tested risk factors for hypertension in Kenya and to generate data to inform the development of hypertension prevention strategies. To do this, a secondary analysis of the Kenya national survey data, which included 46,609 participants, was conducted. Due to a small sample of hypertensive male respondents, the analysis was conducted on the female dataset. This study found that age, BMI, and wealth index were positively associated with an increased risk of hypertension. No association was observed between biomass fuel use and hypertension. These findings suggest that lifestyle and socioeconomic factors play a significant role in the development and persistence of hypertension. Addressing modifiable risk factors such as diet, physical activity, and obesity may be important to reduce hypertension prevalence. Future research is needed to make gender comparisons and to develop an effective health education delivery strategy.

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