Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and It's Determinants among Women of Reproductive age in Meru County
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular disease risk factors which include diabetes and raised fasting plasma glucose, abdominal obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and to identify its determinants among women of reproductive age. Data was collected using structured questionnaires among 355 women of reproductive age. It was established that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this group was was 41.97% (n=149). It was determined that increase in age, increased duration of use of contraceptives, exposure to second hand smoke from family member who smokes in the household, low consumption of fruits, increased frequency of red meat intake, central obesity, raised blood pressures and increased BMI were the determinants of metabolic syndrome among the women of reproductive age