Black male college students and hypertension: a qualitative investigation

Qualitative research was used to determine what young black male college students do and believe in the hypertension related areas of nutrition, stress and exercise. Black female college students also were asked about their perception of the men's beliefs and behaviors in regard to the above mentioned areas. The study identified stress, especially the stress of being a black male in the US, as the most important concern of both male and female students. There was also agreement in both gender groups that relatives and close friends, especially females, had more influence on men's health behavior than professionals or celebrities. The study discusses the implications of these findings for hypertension prevention programs targeted at young black male college students.