Implementation of a Community- Based Outreach Hypertension Program in an Urban Beauty Salon

Abstract

Problem Statement: African American women have a lack of access to health care in underserved urban areas and are experiencing cardiovascular disease at a higher rate that negatively impacts their health, and increases medical costs.

Purpose: To determine if the implementation of a Community- Based Outreach Hypertension Program in beauty salons will increase African American women’s knowledge concerning hypertension, encourage self-management, and follow-up care for chronic disease management.

Methods: Twelve African American women with hypertension were recruited through mass screenings from an urban beauty salon. The Hypertension Evaluation of Lifestyle and Management Scale (HELM) and The Hypertension Self- Care Profile (HBP-SCP) were completed by eligible participants’ pre and post educational sessions at the salon. Referrals were provided as needed to nearby primary health care providers for follow-up treatment.

Analysis: A Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was conducted to evaluate the impact of the program on the participants’ scores on the HELM and HBP SCP questionnaires pre-intervention to post intervention. There was not a statistically significant difference in the scores but results are limited to small sample size, dropout rate, and eight-week timeframe.

Significance: Effective primary prevention interventions in beauty salons by advanced-practice nurses has the potential to promote healthy lifestyles among urban African American women; reduce health disparities and cardiovascular disease risk factors, and lower health care cost.