Examining how COVID has affected African American women with Hypertension – UROP Spring Symposium 2021

Examining how COVID has affected African American women with Hypertension

Paige Chapman

Paige Chapman

Pronouns: She, her, hers

Research Mentor(s): Lenette Jones, Assistant Professor
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, School of Nursing
Presentation Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Session: Session 2 (11am-11:50am)
Breakout Room: Room 10
Presenter: 7

Event Link

Abstract

Forty seven percent of African American women are living with hypertension, which increases their risk of contracting COVID-19. We asked 100 African American women living with hypertension (ages 21 to 64) to complete a questionnaire using qualtrics. Using a cross sectional descriptive survey, participants were asked to self-report their blood pressure during COVID. A portion of the survey was used to raise the questions of how paticipants have been maintaining their health through eating and exercise patterns as a result of the virus. Sixty one percent of participants reported that they have not had to change the way that they manage their blood pressure since COVID-19. Participants that reported that they did have to change the way that they managed their blood pressure, ensured that they have had to exercise more, practice healthier eating habits, and that they haven’t seen their physician since COVID-19. In addition, the majority of participants did not lose their job or income due to the “Stay at Home” mandate, nor are they concerned about their ability to get their medications and supplements used to control their blood pressure. Our findings raise the question regarding if participants are considering all factors that have been impacted in their lives by COVID and how participants have been managing their hypertension in the first place.

Authors: Paige Chapman
Research Method: Clinical Research

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