Experiences Related to Lifestyle Behaviors for Hypertension in South Carolina Women

Date of Conferral

10-11-2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Education and Promotion

Advisor

Deneen Long-White

Abstract

Abstract Changes in lifestyle behaviors are the most effective way to prevent one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide: hypertension. The rate of hypertension among women in South Carolina keeps rising despite many programs urging them to change behaviors such as losing weight and increasing exercise. It is unclear why hypertension and stroke-related deaths continue to rise among South Carolina women. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the everyday lived experiences of women ages 35 to 64 with lifestyle behavior changes as part of their hypertension treatment strategies. In this study, Heidegger's hermeneutic phenomenology served as a subjective lens to explore women's experiences with hypertension. Data collection for this study was one-on-one interviews with seven women at risk for or diagnosed with hypertension. The interviews were hand-coded for emergent themes. Using the Colaizzi method of data analysis, five themes emerged from the data: (a) awareness, (b) daily life, (c) stress, (d) barriers, and (e) knowledge. The findings indicate that medical professionals and health educators must understand patients' experiences to create more effective partnerships. The implication for positive social change is that health professionals and healthcare educators will be better able to collaborate with women on implementing lifestyle behavior changes, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and possibly reducing stroke and other chronic health diseases.

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