Because we don't take better care of ourselves: rural Black women's explanatory models of heart disease.
BACKGROUND
Among women aged 45-54, Black women are 2.5 to 3 times more likely than White women to die from coronary heart disease (CHD) and less likely to exercise. This study explored Black women's beliefs about the causes and risks of heart disease.


METHODS
Convenience sampling was used to recruit 20 Black women aged 40-58 years with at least one risk factor for CHD.


RESULTS
Participants identified 11 causes of heart disease within three factors: Lifestyle, Physiologic Causes, and Going to Get It.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings provide a focus for educational interventions to decrease risk for CHD in this population.
Evans
Laura K
LK
School of Nursing, University of Arkansas, Monticello, AR 71656, USA. evansl@uamont.edu
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012931:Social Environment; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*