Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs related to hypertension and hyperlipidemia self-management among African-American men living in the southeastern United States.
Everett Long, Monica Ponder, Stephanie Bernard
PMID 28012680WHAT IT FOUND
African-American men with hypertension or hyperlipidemia knew hypertension could cause stroke, heart attack, or death but often saw hyperlipidemia as less serious.
They saw risk as low until a health event, distrusted medications, and linked diagnosis to weakness, loss of control, and strained relationships.
Key findings
01Most participants knew hypertension could cause stroke, heart attack, or death, but many saw hyperlipidemia as less serious or lacked knowledge of its consequences.
02Participants felt healthy and not at risk before a health event; an adverse health event often alerted them to hypertension or hyperlipidemia.
03Participants described medication barriers, including side effects and distrust of medications and pharmaceutical companies.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The study used a purposive sample of 34 men from two counties, so the themes may not represent all African-American men. Participants self-reported hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or both. The study reported themes, not health outcomes or behavior change rates. Only men participated, and women were excluded.
Declared interests
The CDC Foundation coordinated the project, received financial support from Pfizer, and CDC provided in-kind staff and technical expertise. The authors state the findings are theirs and not CDC's views.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as evidence that a specific education or medication-adherence program works. The study described 34 men's perceptions, not outcomes, and the sample was purposive, so it cannot show what treatment changes behavior.