Publication Date

Spring 2025

Comments

In Kisumu, Kenya, noncommunicable diseases are becoming more prominent as urbanization increases and sedentary lifestyles become more common. As the consumption of processed foods becomes more prevalent, especially in urban communities, I hypothesized that diabetes is less common in rural communities than in urban areas. To evaluate the differences, I conducted a study consisting of several parts. For the first part, I conducted interviews in rural, peri-urban, and urban environments and compared the consumption and access to processed foods. Additionally, I analyzed the prevalence and knowledge of diabetes among community members to better understand the impact of diet, and lifestyle on health outcomes across these different settings. The second part of my study focused on malnutrition because malnutrition continues to be a significant concern, especially for children under the age of 5. For my research, I hypothesized that families of higher socioeconomic class were less likely to suffer from malnutrition. Similar to my research on diabetes, I conducted interviews with individuals from diverse communities, inquiring about household income, the prevalence of malnutrition, and knowledge regarding this condition. Another component of my study included a focus group to understand community perceptions and challenges regarding malnutrition and diabetes. As a final part of my study, I visited the Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH) and conducted observational studies of the nutrition department.

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences

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