Exploring Predictors of Information Use to Self-Manage Blood Pressure in Midwestern African American Women with Hypertension

Abstract

Self-management of hypertension requires patients to find, understand, and use information to lower their blood pressure. Little is known about information use among African American women with hypertension, therefore the purpose of this study was to examine predictors of self-reported information use to self-manage blood pressure. Ninety-four Midwestern African American women (mean age = 59) completed questionnaires about information behaviors (seeking, sharing, use) and personal beliefs (attitude, social norms) related to self-management of blood pressure. Linear regression was used to identify significant predictors of information use. The total variance explained by the model was 36%, F(7, 79) = 6.29, p < .001. Information sharing was the only significant predictor (beta = .46, p < .001). These results provide evidence that information sharing is a potential health behavior to support intervention strategies for African American women with hypertension.

The impact of health information needs' satisfaction of hypertensive patients on their clinical outcomes

“…Our findings suggest that AH patients attribute their information needs over AH control and management with high importance. This is consistent with other studies suggesting that hypertension involves a rather demanding daily self-management practice and informed decision-making (Jones et al , 2018). The information needs related to patients' current health condition (e.g.…”

“…Health information plays an important role in patients' hypertension self-management (Jones et al , 2018) as well as in reducing uncertainty in the decision-making process for successfully self-managing a clinical condition. Specifically, studies associate patients' education (Waring et al , 2018), information needs, information seeking preferences and information needs’ satisfaction with the management of various health conditions, such as cancer (Jenkins et al , 2001; Muha et al , 1998), diabetes (Kostagiolas et al, 2020; Kalantzi et al , 2015) and congenital heart diseases (Moschovi et al , 2019).…”

“Maybe This Generation Here Could Help the Next Generation”: Older African American Women's Perceptions on Information Sharing to Improve Health in Younger Generations

“…There are several implications of the current study. Previous studies have outlined the benefits of information sharing among African American women with hypertension, for the sharer and recipient (Jones, Veinot, et al, 2017; Jones, Wright, et al, 2017). Moreover, the development of health messaging strategies to increase health communication among African American families is needed (Hovick et al, 2015).…”

“…Previous studies have shown that women who share blood pressure information may be more likely to participate in hypertension self-management behaviors (Jones, Veinot, Pressler, Coleman-Burns, & McCall, 2017). The current authors conducted focus groups with African American women with hypertension to better understand how they share information about self-management of blood pressure with their peers.…”

The relationships between health information behavior and neural processing in african americans with prehypertension

“…Such selfmanagement of elevated blood pressure typically entails patients finding, interpreting, and using blood pressure-related health information. Additionally, African-Americans' self-management behavior is associated with sharing of information with peers, or other lay people who have hypertension, or are at risk for the condition (Jones, Veinot, Pressler, Coleman-Burns, & McCall, 2017;Jones, Wright, Wallace, & Veinot, 2017). Research conducted with African-American patients with chronic illness highlights the need for targeted interventions that support health information behavior to enhance self-management (Jones et al, 2017b;Kaziunas, Ackerman, & Veinot, 2013).…”