Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Vasileios Margaritis

Abstract

Despite the evident improvements in the awareness of hypertension among the adult population in the United States, disparities remain in the burden of the disease, its treatment efficacy, and its control when data are compared along age, gender, and race. The purpose of this study was to determine the strength of the relationship between blood pressure control and prescription medication and lifestyle modification (smoking cessation, changes in eating habits, and weight loss). The target population were adult young Black men, and the control variables were age, low socioeconomic status (SES), and disparities in health care. A convenience sample of Black men (age 16-45 years) was obtained (N = 297) from the 2013-2014 NHANES dataset, and bivariate and multiple regressions were conducted after the assumptions were satisfied. The results indicated a statistically significant relationship between prescription medication and systolic blood pressure control (B = -4.327, p = 0.009). The findings of the study can promote social change by highlighting that medication compliance must be encouraged and adhered to by members of this high-risk group. However, further research is suggested to explore the efficacy of lifestyle modification closely to determine if this is a viable treatment option for young Black men of low SES in the United States.

Share

 
COinS