Nyla Scarber
Research Mentor(s): Lenette Jones
Mentor Department: Health Behavior and Biological Sciences
Authors: Nyla Scarber, Mercy Aluko, Korrey E. Monroe, Zhariyah Laughlin, Yennuten Paarima, Paige Chapman, Lenette M. Jones
Session: Session 2 (10:00am – 10:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 91
Abstract
Hypertension (HTN) is one of the leading causes of mortality in the United States (U.S.) as it is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. HTN disproportionately affects African American women in the U.S., with a prevalence of 55%. Though self-management is crucial in controlling HTN, some individuals are not equipped with the knowledge of how to maintain a healthy blood pressure. Studies have shown that health information seeking behavior (HISB) plays a role in maintaining blood pressure as it consists of actively seeking out or obtaining health-related information. One goal of The Brain Relationships Among Information, Neuroprocessing, and Self Management (BRAINS) study is to explore the relationships between health information behaviors (acquisition, sharing, and use) and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) in a sample of African American women with hypertension. The BRAINS study, a cross-sectional study, sampled 99 adults aged 18-65 that identified as African-American women with hypertension. All participants were right handed. With the use of video conferencing, patients completed surveys on self regulation, patient activation, chronic disease self-efficacy, health information seeking behaviors, and health outcomes. Patients used a hemoglobin A1c kit mailed to them to measure their average blood sugar levels. Analysis of the data collected during the study shows that higher engagement in HISB correlates with lower blood sugar levels. These results showcase the importance of HISB among African American women with HTN. As these women expand their knowledge of HTN, they learn ways to self-manage their blood pressure and blood sugar (improving diet, increasing physical activity, etc.). Ultimately, seeking health-information pertaining to HTN can improve health outcomes.
