Perceptions of Heart-Healthy Behaviors among African American Adults: A Mixed Methods Study

Mixed methods approach to understanding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among immigrants in the Chicago

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has been particularly high among immigrant populations, whose experience is shaped by a history of racism and discriminations, and distrust of the healthcare system. In this study we draw from the Theory of Planned Behavior to examine COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among immigrants in Chicago.

METHODS

A mixed-methods approach comprising of both focus groups and a health survey was conducted from February to August 2022. Five focus groups were held (N = 35) among Black, Asian and Arab/Palestine participants to understand attitudes and beliefs around the COVID-19 vaccine. Focus groups were analyzed using a modified template approach to text analysis. Based on these findings and themes, we developed a survey that was conducted among 413 immigrants from the mentioned communities. We used hierarchical ordinal regression analyses to examine the relationship between COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and vaccination status.

RESULTS

Qualitative analysis suggest that the major factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy included fear of adverse reactions, misinformation around COVID-19 and the vaccine, negative social norms around vaccination, and external pressure to get vaccinated. From our quantitative analysis we found that 24% of participants were unvaccinated, 5% were partially vaccinated, 32.3% were vaccinated but not boosted, and 39% were vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19. Hierarchical regression models suggest that immigrants who hold negative attitudes and social norms around the COVID-19 vaccine are less likely to vaccinate.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding vaccine hesitancy among immigrants allows for the creation of culturally and linguistically tailored education that can be utilized to increase vaccine confidence and uptake.

Cardiovascular Disease Burden and Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Young Black Patients: A National Analysis of 2 Cohorts 10 Years Apart (2017 Versus 2007)

Background We aim to compare the burden of cardiovascular disease risk factors and major adverse cardiac events and in-hospital outcomes among young Black patients (aged 18-44 years) hospitalized in 2007 and 2017 using data obtained from the National Inpatient Sample database. Method and Results Comparison of the sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and inpatient outcomes, including major adverse cardiac events (all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, ventricular fibrillation/flutter, pulmonary embolism, and coronary intervention), between 2017 and 2007 was performed. Multivariable analyses were performed, controlling for potential covariates. A total of 2 922 743 (mean age, 31 years; 70.3% women) admissions among young Black individuals were studied (1 341 068 in 2007 and 1 581 675 in 2017). The 2017 cohort had a younger population (mean, 30 versus 31 years; P<0.001), more male patients (30.4% versus 28.8%; P<0.001), and patients with higher nonelective admissions (76.8% versus 75%; P<0.001), and showed an increasing burden of traditional cardiometabolic comorbidities, congestive heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease, coagulopathy, depression, along with notable reductions in alcohol abuse and drug abuse, compared with the 2007 cohort. The adjusted multivariable analysis showed worsening in-hospital outcomes, including major adverse cardiac events (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.21), acute myocardial infarction (aOR, 1.34), cardiogenic shock (aOR, 3.12), atrial fibrillation/flutter (aOR, 1.34), ventricular fibrillation/flutter (aOR, 1.32), cardiac arrest (aOR, 2.55), pulmonary embolism (aOR, 1.89), and stroke (aOR, 1.53). The 2017 cohort showed a decreased rate of percutaneous coronary intervention/coronary artery bypass grafting and all-cause mortality versus the 2007 cohort (P<0.001). Conclusions In conclusion, young Black patients have had an increasing burden of cardiovascular disease risk factors and worsened in-hospital outcomes, including major adverse cardiac events and stroke, in the past decade, although with improved survival odds.

Raw bioelectrical impedance measurements are not different between White and Black adults when matched for sex, age, BMI, and other physical characteristics

Raw bioelectrical impedance measurements are often used as a prognosticator of health status because of their association with disease states and malnutrition. Although studies consistently show the effect of physical characteristics on bioelectrical impedance, few investigations describe the effect of race, particularly for Black adults, and many bioelectrical impedance standards were produced from primarily White adults almost 2 decades ago. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the racial differences in bioelectrical impedance measurements using bioimpedance spectroscopy between non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black adults matched for age, sex, and body mass index. We hypothesized that Black adults would have a lower phase angle from higher resistance and lower reactance compared with White adults. One hundred non-Hispanic White (n = 50) and non-Hispanic Black (n = 50) males (n = 34) and females (n = 66) matched for sex, age, and body mass index completed this cross-sectional study. Participants underwent several anthropometric assessments, including height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, bioimpedance spectroscopy, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bioelectrical impedance measures of resistance, reactance, phase angle, and impedance were all collected at frequencies of 5, 50, and 250 kHz and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis was performed using 50-kHz data. There were no significant differences for any anthropometric variable between Black and White participants in the total sample or by sex groups. In addition, there were no significant racial differences for any bioelectrical impedance assessment, including bioelectrical impedance vector analysis. Differences in bioelectrical impedance are likely not a function of race between Black and White adults and concerns regarding its utility should not be based on this characteristic.

An Examination of Culturally Relevant Health Messages in African-American Churches

This quantitative study examined the presence of culturally relevant health messages for African-Americans based on a preexisting dataset from 21 African-American churches in South Carolina (USA). Content analysis served as the primary methodological approach to code printed media messages based on their cultural relevance among African-Americans (Cohen's kappa = .74). Within the dataset (n = 2166), 477 (22%) items were identified as culturally relevant. A low prevalence of culturally relevant messages was found across the three message topics, two media types, and one media source. Due to the limited presence of culturally relevant messages, researchers should collaborate with African-American churches to design health promotion messages.

Perceived cardiovascular disease risk and tailored communication strategies among rural and urban community dwellers in Rwanda: a qualitative study

Background

In Rwanda, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the third leading cause of death, and hence constitute an important public health issue. Worldwide, most CVDs are due to lifestyle and preventable risk factors. Prevention interventions are based on risk factors for CVD risk, yet the outcome of such interventions might be limited by the lack of awareness or misconception of CVD risk. This study aimed to explore how rural and urban population groups in Rwanda perceive CVD risk and tailor communication strategies for estimated total cardiovascular risk.

Methods

An exploratory qualitative study design was applied using focus group discussions to collect data from rural and urban community dwellers. In total, 65 community members took part in this study. Thematic analysis with Atlas ti 7.5.18 was used and the main findings for each theme were reported as a narrative summary.

Results

Participants thought that CVD risk is due to either financial stress, psychosocial stress, substance abuse, noise pollution, unhealthy diets, diabetes or overworking. Participants did not understand CVD risk presented in a quantitative format, but preferred qualitative formats or colours to represent low, moderate and high CVD risk through in-person communication. Participants preferred to be screened for CVD risk by community health workers using mobile health technology.

Conclusion

Rural and urban community members in Rwanda are aware of what could potentially put them at CVD risk in their respective local communities. Community health workers are preferred by local communities for CVD risk screening. Quantitative formats to present the total CVD risk appear inappropriate to the Rwandan population and qualitative formats are therefore advisable. Thus, operational research on the use of qualitative formats to communicate CVD risk is recommended to improve decision-making on CVD risk communication in the context of Rwanda.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13330-6.

Optimal serum ferritin level range: iron status measure and inflammatory biomarker

This report provides perspectives concerning dual roles of serum ferritin as a measure of both iron status and inflammation. We suggest benefits of a lower range of serum ferritin as has occurred for total serum cholesterol and fasting blood glucose levels. Observations during a prospective randomized study using phlebotomy in patients with peripheral arterial disease offered unique insights into dual roles of serum ferritin both as an iron status marker and acute phase reactant. Robust positive associations between serum ferritin, interleukin 6 [IL-6], tissue necrosis factor-alpha, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein were discovered. Elevated serum ferritin and IL-6 levels associated with increased mortality and with reduced mortality at ferritin levels <100 ng mL-1. Epidemiologic studies demonstrate similar outcomes. Extremely elevated ferritin and IL-6 levels also occur in individuals with high mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Disordered iron metabolism reflected by a high range of serum ferritin level signals disease severity and outcomes. Based upon experimental and epidemiologic data, we suggest testing the hypotheses that optimal ferritin levels for cardiovascular mortality reduction range from 20 to 100 ng mL-1 with % transferrin levels from 20 to 50%, to ensure adequate iron status and that ferritin levels above 194 ng mL-1 associate with all-cause mortality in population cohorts.

Food Access and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Metropolitan Atlanta Census Tracts With Residents at Low Risk and High Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: The Morehouse-Emory Cardiovascular Center for Health Equity Study

Introduction

Perceived and actual access to healthy foods may differ in urban areas, particularly among Black people. We assessed the effect of objective and perceived neighborhood food access on self-reported cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Black people living in areas of high risk and low risk for the disease in Atlanta, Georgia. We hypothesized that perceived and objective food access would independently predict self-reported CVD.

Methods

We used survey data from the Morehouse–Emory Cardiovascular (MECA) Center for Health Equity Study. Study participants consisted of 1,402 Black adults, aged 35 to 64, residing in urban Atlanta census tracts with high rates or low rates of CVD. We assessed perceived neighborhood healthy food access by self-reported selection and quality of produce and low-fat food options. We assessed objective food access by the 2015 US Department of Agriculture Food Access Research Atlas. Low access was defined as census tracts with at least 500 people living more than 1 mile from a large food retailer. Self-reported CVD included related conditions and/or procedures. We used multilevel logistic models adjusted for demographic characteristics to examine the association between objective and perceived food access and self-reported CVD.

Results

Overall, self-reported CVD was not significant for perceived (odds ratio = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.59–1.29) or objective (odds ratio = 0.74; 95% CI, 0.48–1.12) healthy food access. Similar results were obtained among adults living in areas with higher-than-expected rates of CVD.

Conclusion

Results of this study suggest the odds for self-reported CVD events were not significantly affected by perceived or objective access to healthy foods.

Towards cardiovascular disease prevention in Nigeria: A mixed method study of how adolescents and young adults in a university setting perceive cardiovascular disease and risk factors

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global problem but its increasing prevalence in the working age group in developing countries like Nigeria is concerning and needs urgent attention.

METHODS

The study was a mixed method design: quantitative phase with 402 participants and qualitative phase with 16 participants in two focus groups. The participants in the quantitative survey phase completed two questionnaires on the knowledge and perception of CVD and its risk factors. Data from the quantitative cross-sectional survey were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The qualitative data were analysed using content thematic analysis.

RESULTS

We report that 39.1% of the participants had high knowledge whilst 61.9% had low and average knowledge of CVD and its risk factors. Of the participants, 78.1% had a wrong perception of CVD and its risk factors. Participants from faculties of veterinary medicine and basic medical sciences had better knowledge than others who were not medically inclined (F = 16.11; p 0.001). Only participants from the faculty of veterinary medicine had the right perception of CVD and its risk factors. There was no significant difference in knowledge and perception scores between male and female participants. The qualitative study buttressed the results from the cross-sectional survey, where adolescents and young adults highlighted academic stress and poverty as major risk factors for CVD.

CONCLUSION

Adolescents and young adults in this study did not have good knowledge of CVD and its risk factors. They also had a wrong perception about CVD and its risk factors.

Rams Have Heart, a Mobile App Tracking Activity and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption to Support the Cardiovascular Health of College Students: Development and Usability Study

BACKGROUND

With the increasing use of mobile devices to access the internet and as the main computing system of apps, there is a growing market for mobile health apps to provide self-care advice. Their effectiveness with regard to diet and fitness tracking, for example, needs to be examined. The majority of American adults fail to meet daily recommendations for healthy behavior. Testing user engagement with an app in a controlled environment can provide insight into what is effective and not effective in an app focused on improving diet and exercise.

OBJECTIVE

We developed Rams Have Heart, a mobile app, to support a cardiovascular disease (CVD) intervention course. The app tracks healthy behaviors, including fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity, throughout the day. This paper aimed to present its functionality and evaluated adherence among the African American college student population.

METHODS

We developed the app using the Personal Health Informatics and Intervention Toolkit, a software framework. Rams Have Heart integrates self-reported health screening with health education, diary tracking, and user feedback modules to acquire data and assess progress. The parent study, conducted at a historically black college and university-designated institution in southeastern United States, consisted of a semester-long intervention administered as an academic course in the fall, for 3 consecutive years. Changes were made after the cohort 1 pilot study, so results only include cohorts 2 and 3, comprising a total of 115 students (n=55 intervention participants and n=54 control participants) aged from 17 to 24 years. Data collected over the study period were transferred using the secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure protocol and stored in a secure Structured Query Language server database accessible only to authorized persons. SAS software was used to analyze the overall app usage and the specific results collected.

RESULTS

Of the 55 students in the intervention group, 27 (49%) students in cohort 2 and 25 (45%) in cohort 3 used the Rams Have Heart app at least once. Over the course of the fall semester, app participation dropped off gradually until exam week when most students no longer participated. The average fruit and vegetable intake increased slightly, and activity levels decreased over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Rams Have Heart was developed to allow daily tracking of fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity to support a CVD risk intervention for a student demographic susceptible to obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. We conducted an analysis of app usage, function, and user results. Although a mobile app provides privacy and flexibility for user participation in a research study, Rams Have Heart did not improve compliance or user outcomes. Health-oriented research studies relying on apps in support of user goals need further evaluation.

Putting Knowledge into Practice: Low-Income Women Talk about Food Choice Decisions

Insights into barriers and facilitators for healthy eating are needed to improve low-income women's diets and to decrease disease risk. The study objectives were to explore women's qualitative perceptions of influences on their food choices such as food security, their knowledge of nutrition-related health risk factors and self-efficacy for diet change, and their dietary intakes in practice. Thirty-six women, aged 19-50, who were eligible to receive income-based assistance were recruited in central Iowa. Focus group discussions on defining healthy foods, influences on food choice, and nutrition information sources were analyzed using a socioecological model framework. Demographics, nutrient intake estimates, food security status, health behaviors, and self-efficacy for nutrition behavior change were collected by survey. Most participants were White (61%), single (69%), food insecure (69%), and living with children (67%). Few women met dietary recommendations. Barriers to healthy eating include cost, convenience/preparation time, family taste preferences, and limitations of federal food assistance programs. Facilitators are high self-efficacy for nutrition change and health knowledge on average. These results challenge the strategy of using nutrition education to improve healthy eating and instead show that intervention messaging should focus on limited, achievable steps to improve dietary choices that fit within cost, convenience, and taste constraints.

Chronic pain, cardiovascular health and related medication use in ageing African Americans with osteoarthritis

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

To describe the (a) prevalence and perceptions of cardiovascular disease and related health conditions in African Americans with osteoarthritis pain, (b) their knowledge of cardiovascular safety of commonly prescribed analgesics for osteoarthritis and (c) frequency of high-risk analgesic use.

BACKGROUND

African Americans have more disabling osteoarthritis pain and an excessive burden of cardiovascular disease than any other US racial group. However, minimal research has investigated the relationship between chronic pain and cardiovascular disease and subsequent medication knowledge and use in African Americans. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative and Srengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology checklists were followed.

DESIGN

A descriptive, secondary mixed-methods analysis.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 110 African American adults (50-94 years and older) completed surveys and individual qualitative interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square or Fisher's exact test, t test, Mann-Whitney U and a qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Hypertension was the most common cardiovascular condition reported, and African Americans with hypertension reported greater pain than those without. The survey questions revealed that most participants did not possess accurate knowledge about the appropriateness of analgesics in heart failure and other cardiovascular-related diseases; however, during the interviews, some did acknowledge a general understanding of the negative effects of some medications. Still, many older adults were taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs despite having hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

There was evidence of multimorbidity in our sample; based on our data, chronic osteoarthritis pain and hypertension are two highly comorbid conditions, suggesting a possible syndemic. More disparate is the lack of knowledge that African Americans possess as it relates to safe use of analgesic medications when cardiovascular disease is present.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Chronic pain and cardiovascular-related diseases are common and often co-occur and should be evaluated in all older adults, particularly African Americans. Both issues are important to manage, including the safe and appropriate use of medications, to prevent adverse effects.

Family Legacy of Diabetes-Related Behaviors: An Exploration of the Experiences of African American Parents and Adult Children

African Americans are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and this risk may be influenced by familial experiences and cultural norms throughout the life course. This led us to conduct this study of 20 African American families with strong histories of T2DM to explore familial complexities that prevent or help manage diabetic symptoms. Experiences were analyzed inductively through individual family profiles created using content-analytic summaries. When profiles were further analyzed for emerging and theoretically informed data patterns, two themes emerged: (a) family interactions characterized by T2DM-related actions and communication patterns, and (b) intergenerational patterns of openness characterized by variations in approach within generational cohort and parental gender. Through inquiries related to intergenerational experiences with T2DM, nursing and health care professionals may be better able to tailor and promote success for prevention and management of behaviors among high-risk African Americans.