title: Evaluating the impact of a hypertension program for African Americans.
abstract: Although hypertension affects all racial and ethnic groups, its prevalence is highest in the African-American community. The goal of Healthy People 2010 is to reduce hypertension among African Americans from 40% to 16%. Although current levels remain high, culturally sensitive, community-based clinical projects might be helpful in addressing this problem. The goal of this study was to assess whether a community-based clinic's program was effective in improving blood pressure control among a sample of 134 African-American adults. The program design involved health education and physical fitness classes offered over a nine-month period, with blood pressure checks being conducted pre- and postphases to determine whether the program was effective in controlling high blood pressure. Health questionnaires were also administered pre- and posttest to assess whether health behaviors and perceived health status were influenced by the project. Two-thirds (70%) of the sample had high blood pressure at baseline and 43% at program conclusion. This was a statistically significant difference (p=0.003). Overall self-reported health survey results indicated improved health behaviors and health status changes. Findings suggest that culturally sensitive, community-based clinic programs that incorporate both health education and physical fitness might be effective in reducing hypertension among African Americans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, KS 67214-3199, USA. apaschal@kumc.edu
authors.forename: Angelia M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Paschal
authors.forename: Rhonda K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Arneatha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Donna Dennis
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Shipp
authors.forename: Donna Sanders
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Simpson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation