Date of Award

Spring 5-27-2023

Document Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Jannise T. Baclig, PhD

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this evidence-based project is to explore a church-based hypertension education program as an alternative solution to providing hypertension education to the African American community. The desired goals of this project are: (a) to assess the current levels of adherence to antihypertensive therapy among members of a local African American church, using the Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale, and (b) to conduct a literature review exploring policy options encouraging the implementation of a church-based hypertension education program.

Background: Despite medical advances aimed towards prevention and effective treatment, the African American community remains disproportionately affected by hypertension. Approximately 46% of African Americans are affected by hypertension and are twice as likely to die from a stroke or heart attack. While lack of healthcare access, limited health literacy, and mistrust in medical providers play a role in these statistics, African Americans tend to also be nonadherent to antihypertensive therapies, further worsening outcomes.

Methods: This project is a cross-sectional study in which participants completed the Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale. Participants were recruited from a local African American church and have either been formally diagnosed with hypertension or reported hypertension based on self-diagnosis.

Results: Although 25 members of the congregation were recruited and agreed to participate, only 12 members of the congregation completed and returned the Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale. Based on the scale results, participants struggled the most with remembering to take their blood pressure medication, with 50% forgetting some of the time and 33% forgetting all the time. Participants also reported difficulty maintaining the prescribed low-sodium diet, with 67% of participants reporting they continue to eat fast food and add salt to their meals.

Evaluation: Results of this project echo the need for an alternative solution for hypertension education in the African American community. Although literature has supported the implementation of a church-based hypertension education program and has highlighted improvements in hypertension management in this population, additional studies are needed to create an effective and sustainable hypertension education program for the African American community.

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