Date of Conferral

9-10-2024

Date of Award

September 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Education and Promotion

Advisor

Carol Spaulding

Abstract

Sodium reduction therapies such as daily sodium monitoring, adhering to the American Heart Association (AHA) recommended sodium guidelines, and following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet lowers blood pressure. Black males living in rural communities would benefit the most from sodium reduction therapies since they experience the highest rates of stroke and death from hypertension. However, Black males living in rural communities are underrepresented in studies, and little information exists on whether these sodium reduction therapies are known, believed, or practiced. This basic qualitative study researched sodium intake, monitoring, and reduction among eight clinically diagnosed hypertensive Black males aged 25–55 years old living in rural Virginia. This study also examined participants’ attitudes and awareness of the DASH diet, AHA sodium guidelines, and the sodium nutrition fact label (NFL). The study was conducted over the phone using individual semistructured interviews comprised of open-ended questions. The interview questions were developed using the social ecological model as a guide. Through inductive thematic coding, it was established that all participants believed that sodium intake increased their blood pressure. However, only one participant knew about the DASH diet and the AHA-recommended sodium guidelines, and none used the NFL to monitor sodium on a regular basis. The findings of this study have potential implications for social change since it showed health programs designed to teach daily recommended sodium guidelines, sodium monitoring, and the DASH diet are not reaching this high-risk population through health education campaigns or healthcare providers.

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