Why thousands of kenyans live with diabetes but they don't know it
A new survey reveals that while many Kenyans are aware of health indicators like blood pressure and sugar, routine screening remains low. This lack of proactive testing leaves many citizens at risk of undiagnosed chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Why it matters
Low screening rates for non-communicable diseases place a significant, preventable burden on healthcare systems in developing nations.
Most Kenyans have heard of important health measures such as blood pressure and blood sugar, but many are not checking them regularly, according to a new survey.
The findings raise concerns that thousands of Kenyans are living with silent diseases such as hypertension and diabetes without knowing it.
The survey of 1,100 adults in urban and peri-urban Kenya found that although awareness of common health indicators is high, routine screening remains low.
This leaves many people at risk of late diagnosis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The findings come as Kenya grapples with a growing burden of chronic illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and obesity, which are placing increasing pressure on the health system.
The Know Your Numbers Survey was commissioned by non-profit Doctors for Healthy Living (D4HL) and conducted by Ipsos.
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