Examining the Factors That Influence African Americans in the Midwest to Reduce Salt Intake

Purpose: Salt intake is associated with cardiovascular diseases that are the leading cause of death especially among African American communities in the Midwest. Interventions need to be developed to address the culture of this population to decrease the health disparities of cardiovascular disease. This study applying the Health Belief Model aims to explore the factors that are associated with the behavior of reducing salt intake among this population. Methods: Three hundred ninety-nine African American adults participated in the telephone surveys. Logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: We found that affective risk perception in the form of concern of salt intake as well as self-efficacy were associated with the behavior of reducing salt intake among this population. However, seeing advertisement on mass media about the effect of eating too much salt and talking to anyone about heart problems or high blood pressure issues could not influence their behavior of reducing salt intake. Conclusion: This study shed light on how public health practitioners can potentially persuade African American population in Midwest to reduce salt intake through designing culturally appropriate interventions educating them about the risk of eating too much salt and increase their confidence in reducing salt in community settings.