Community-based participatory research approaches for hypertension control and prevention in churches

Exploring the Readiness of African-American Churches to Engage in a Community-Engaged Blood Pressure Reduction Research Study: Lessons Learned from the Church Challenge

Introduction

The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) has been used to assess individual readiness for health behavior change. We describe our use of the TTM to assess organizational readiness of African-American churches to participate in the Church Challenge (CC) in Flint, Michigan; the processes of change that moved churches toward readiness for change; and lessons learned.

Methods

The CC was a faith-based, multilevel intervention to reduce chronic disease risk. A community-based participatory approach was used to engage and recruit churches. We used the TTM to capture church readiness for change and track church progress through the five stages.

Results

We engaged with 70 churches: 35 remained in Stage 1 (precontemplation), 10 remained in Stage 2 (contemplation), 3 remained in Stage 3 (preparation), 5 made it to Stage 4 (action), and 17 finished within Stage 5 (maintenance). Churches engaged in several processes of change as they moved through the various stages of change.

Lessons Learned

Utilizing processes of change, establishing rapport, and having previous participants share success stories helped move churches from stage-to-stage. However, certain barriers prevented progression, such as burnout/trauma from the Flint Water Crisis and scheduling conflicts.

Discussion

Faith-based organizational readiness greatly impacted participation in the CC. Researchers should utilize established social capital, build rapport, and remain flexible when working with African-American churches.

Conclusion

Although traditionally used at the individual level, the TTM works well at the organizational level to assess and monitor church readiness to participate in community-engaged research and health programming to improve health in an African-American faith community.

Participants' Views on Lifestyle Intervention Program Enhancing Long-Term Health-Related Behaviors Improvement among Prehypertension and/or Prediabetes Mellitus Older Adults: A Qualitative Study Examined in Thailand at Health Promoting Hospitals

This study aimed to investigate the view of prediabetes and prehypertension elderly patients living around temple on long-term self-management in proficient way underneath the lifestyle intervention program based on both focus-group discussion and In-depth interview methods to fill the gap in partially successful intervention. 62 participants were selected from 220 participants of the quantitative published study by 2 researchers. The triangulation method was used to put great emphasis on the consistency and the credibility of the results. Almost all of the participants had benefited from the program regarding proper foods, suitable exercise and an inspiration of lifestyle modification. They made changes of eating behavior and exercise behavior during program attendance, however, after the program had finished, they had minimal concern to take care of themselves. Nonetheless, more than half of them demonstrated some health-related behaviors changes due to they gave the value of the suggestion in different aspects. Moreover, high-frequency program attendance was not related to blood results improvement. The knowledge obtained from program intervention together with adequate contact between the patient and the program staff, personal problems solving, personal attitude, practice and acceptable played a key role for long-term lifestyle modification and completely successful intervention.

Community-Based Participatory Research Interventions to Improve Diabetes Outcomes: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic evaluation of community-based participatory research (CBPR) interventions on diabetes outcomes. Understanding of effective CBPR interventions on diabetes outcomes is limited, and findings remain unclear.

METHODS

A reproducible search strategy was used to identify studies testing CBPR interventions to improve diabetes outcomes, including A1C, fasting glucose, blood pressure, lipids, and quality of life. Pubmed, PsychInfo, and CINAHL were searched for articles published between 2010 and 2020. Using a CBPR continuum framework, studies were classified based on outreach, consulting, involving, collaborating, and shared leadership.

RESULTS

A total of 172 were screened, and a title search was conducted to determine eligibility. A total of 16 articles were included for synthesis. Twelve out of the 16 studies using CBPR approaches for diabetes interventions demonstrated statistically significant differences in 1 or more diabetes outcomes measured at a postintervention time point. Studies across the spectrum of CBPR demonstrated statistically significant improvements in diabetes outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Of the 16 studies included for synthesis, 14 demonstrated statistically significant changes in A1C, fasting glucose, blood pressure, lipids, and quality of life. The majority of studies used community health workers (CHWs) to deliver interventions across group and individual settings and demonstrated significant reductions in diabetes outcomes. The evidence summarized in this review shows the pivotal role that CHWs and diabetes care and education specialists play in not only intervention delivery but also in the development of outward-facing diabetes care approaches that are person- and community-centered.

Promoting access to health information

Purpose

Describe the design of a health information and technology educational intervention that promotes health information sharing and technology use for older adult African Americans to support access to health information. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The study team developed a novel method to design the intervention. It drew upon three approaches: intergenerational technology transfer, participatory design and community-based participatory research.

Findings

Older adult African Americans (55+) with diabetes and young adults (18–54) connected to them via familial or naturally occurring social networks designed the intervention, which was conducted in the two study sites in Michigan, USA. In total, 29 participants helped design the intervention. Four themes emerged concerning factors that promote intergenerational information exchange in the context of technology and health. First, focus on one technology skill. Second, working together in small groups is preferred. Third, patience is essential. Last, physical capabilities (i.e., eyesight, operating on relatively small screens) and literacy levels should be considered.

Originality/value

This novel method of having participants from the sample population select the health information materials and technology exercises serves as a guide for implementing health information and education interventions aimed at technology use to support self-management for vulnerable patient populations.

Development and evaluation of a service-learning model for preclinical student education in cardiovascular disease prevention

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the USA. Medical schools must prepare trainees to address prevention, including improving ability in counseling patients to modify lifestyle risk factors. Most medical students do not receive significant training or clinical experience in preventive medicine until the clinical years of medical school. To enhance student education in disease prevention and lifestyle counseling, and simultaneously target cardiovascular disease prevention in high-risk Chicago neighborhoods, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Chicago Department of Public Health with support from the GE Foundation, developed the Keep Your Heart Healthy program.

METHODS

Medical students participated in intensive faculty-led training. They subsequently screened local residents to identify and counsel for cardiovascular disease risk factors. Fifty-one predominantly preclinical medical students screened residents of the Humboldt Park and North Lawndale neighborhoods in Chicago, IL, at 31 screening events from August to December 2013. Fifty students (98% response rate) completed a survey assessing the educational value of various program components following the pilot.

RESULTS

Of all respondents, 92% of students reported improved knowledge of cardiovascular disease prevention and 94% reported improved knowledge of vulnerable populations and health equity. The majority (88%) reported that their participation supplemented material they learned in the classroom. Eighty-six percent of students reported that their encounters with community participants were of educational value. Integration of this program into the medical school curriculum was supported by 68% of students.

CONCLUSION

Keep Your Heart Healthy educates primarily preclinical medical students in cardiovascular disease prevention and prepares them to apply this knowledge for patient counseling. Results from student surveys demonstrate that this service-learning initiative enhances medical student knowledge in cardiovascular disease prevention, supplements classroom material, and provides students a valuable opportunity to apply interviewing and counseling skills in a real patient encounter.

Engaging African American Faith-Based Organizations in Adolescent HIV Prevention

To reduce current HIV disparities among African American youth, it is imperative to find effective ways to extend the reach of evidence-based HIV prevention. One promising community resource to support this effort is faith-based organizations (FBOs), a credible and respected resource in the African American community. This paper describes the experiences, perceptions, and challenges that African American FBOs and faith leaders face in engaging in adolescent HIV prevention and highlights facilitators and barriers to implementing HIV prevention in African American FBOs. The findings suggest that African American FBOs and faith-based leaders are uniquely positioned to be instrumental resources in reducing African American youth HIV disparities.

HEALS Hypertension Control Program: Training Church Members as Program Leaders

INTRODUCTION

Health disparities related to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) including stroke have remained higher in the African-Americans (AAs) than in other populations. HEALS is a faith-based hypertension (HTN) control program modified according to AA community needs, and delivered by the church-lay members called church health advisors (CHAs). This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of training CHAs as HEALS program leaders.

DESIGN

Four CHAs completed a 10-hour HEALS program training workshop at the Church, conducted by the nutrition experts. Workshop was evaluated by CHAs on their level of satisfaction, clarity of contents covered and comfort in delivery the program to the church congregation.

RESULTS

The overall six main HEALS curriculum components were completed. Workshop was highly evaluated by CHAs on length of training, balance between content and skills development, and level of satisfaction with program delivery.

CONCLUSION

Church-based culturally modified health promotion interventions conducted by the community lay members may be a way to reduce health disparities in ethnic minorities.

Building from within: pastoral insights into community resources and assets

OBJECTIVES

To explore perceptions of community pastors regarding the extent of community resources and assets in a rural, Southern, African American community.

DESIGN AND SAMPLE

Utilizing a qualitative, descriptive design, interviews were conducted with six African American pastors.

MEASURES

Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide based on an assets-oriented approach.

RESULTS

Pastors discussed various resources and assets, probable within the community that may be considered as support for program development. Key themes included: (1) community strengths, (2) community support, and (3) resources for a healthy lifestyle. The church was identified, throughout the interviews, as a primary source of strength and support for community members.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study of African American pastors, various perceptions of community resources were identified. Findings indicate that a sample, rural, Southern, African American community has a wealth of resources and assets, but additional resources related to health promotion are still necessary to produce optimal results. Specific programs to prevent chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease can provide an effective means for addressing related health disparities. Programs implemented through churches can reach large numbers of individuals in the community and provide an important source of sustainable efforts to improve the health of African Americans.

Feasibility of community-based screening for cardiovascular disease risk in an ethnic community: the South Asian Cardiovascular Health Assessment and Management Program (SA-CHAMP)

Background

South Asian Canadians experience disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The goal of this qualitative study was to determine the feasibility of implementing a sustainable, culturally adapted, community-based CVD risk factor screening program for this population.

Methods

South Asians (≥ 45 years) in Calgary, Alberta underwent opportunistic cardiovascular risk factor screening by lay trained volunteers at local religious facilities. Those with elevated blood pressure (BP) or ≥ 1 risk factor underwent point of care cholesterol testing, 10-year CVD risk calculation, counseling, and referral to family physicians and local culturally tailored chronic disease management (CDM) programs. Participants were invited for re-screening and were surveyed about health system follow-up, satisfaction with the program and suggestions for improvement. Changes in risk factors from baseline were estimated using McNemar’s test (proportions) and paired t-tests (continuous measures).

Results

Baseline assessment was completed for 238 participants (median age 64 years, 51% female). Mean TC, HDL and TC/HDL were 5.41 mmol/L, 1.12 mmol/L and 4.7, respectively. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures (mmHg) were 129 and 75 respectively. Blood pressure and TC/HDL ratios exceeded recommended targets in 36% and 58%, respectively, and 76% were at high risk for CVD. Ninety-nine participants (47% female) attended re-screening. 82% had accessed health care providers, 22% reported medication changes and 3.5% had attended the CDM programs. While BP remained unchanged, TC and TC/HDL decreased and HDL increased significantly (mean differences: -0.52 mmol/L, -1.04 and +0.07 mmol/L, respectively). Participants were very satisfied (80%) or satisfied (20%) with the project. Participants suggested screening sessions and CDM programs be more accessible by: delivering evening or weekends programs at more sites, providing transportation, offering multilingual programs/translation assistance, reducing screening wait times and increasing numbers of project staff.

Conclusions

SA-CHAMP demonstrated the feasibility and value of implementing a lay volunteer–led, culturally adapted, sustainable community-based CVD risk factor screening program in South Asian places of worship in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Subsequent screening and CDM programs were refined based on the learnings from this study. Further research is needed to determine physician and patient factors associated with uptake of and adherence to risk reduction strategies.