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Heart Disease Knowledge and Awareness in African American and Hispanic Women
Martha O Rojo1, Latrina Y Prince1, Chenghui Li2
1From the College of Nursing.
Insights
Coronary heart disease (CHD) knowledge and awareness are alarmingly low among African American and Hispanic women. This highlights a critical need for targeted interventions to reduce disparities in women's cardiovascular health.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death for women in the U.S.
- Minority women face higher rates of CHD and worse outcomes.
- Racial disparities in CHD necessitate research into knowledge and awareness gaps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Coronary heart disease (CHD) knowledge and awareness in African American and Hispanic women.
- To identify potential demographic factors influencing CHD knowledge and awareness.
Main Methods:
- Survey research design with a convenience sample of 100 African American and Hispanic women.
- Online survey administered in English and Spanish assessing CHD knowledge (Life's Simple 7) and awareness (adapted AHA survey).
- Data analysis included cross-tabulations and multivariable repeated measures analysis to compare groups.
Main Results:
- Both African American and Hispanic women demonstrated limited CHD knowledge and awareness.
- 73% of participants were unaware that CHD is the leading cause of death in women.
- 75% reported being only moderately or not at all informed about CHD.
Conclusions:
- Findings underscore the urgent need for improved CHD knowledge and awareness strategies.
- Targeted interventions are crucial for African American and Hispanic women to address health disparities.
- Further research is needed to develop innovative approaches to enhance cardiovascular health literacy.
Objectives:
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among US women. Minority women have higher rates of CHD and are more likely to experience adverse outcomes. Because of racial disparities in CHD outcomes, the purpose of this study was to assess CHD knowledge and awareness in African American and Hispanic women.
Methods:
Using a survey research design, a convenience sample of African American and Hispanic women was surveyed in their local communities. CHD knowledge, awareness, and demographic data were collected using an online survey. The survey was administered in English and Spanish using an iPad. CHD knowledge was assessed using a 7-item survey based on the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 brochure. CHD awareness was assessed using a 7-item survey adapted from the American Heart Association's Survey of Women's Cardiovascular Disease Awareness. CHD knowledge was scored on a scale of 0 to 7, and awareness was assessed based on responses to each question. The data analysis consisted of cross-tabulations and multivariable repeated measures analysis. We assessed differences in CHD knowledge and awareness based on race/ethnicity. We hypothesized that there would be statistically significant differences in CHD knowledge and awareness based on specific demographic factors (eg, age, income, education, health literacy).
Results:
A total of 100 African American (n=50) and Hispanic (n = 50) women participated in the study. Results revealed that CHD knowledge and awareness were limited for both groups. Seventy-three percent of participants (African American 66%; Hispanic 80%) did not know that CHD is the leading cause of death in women and 75% (African American 60%; Hispanic 90%) were moderately or not at all informed about CHD.
Conclusions:
These findings support the need for more research on innovative strategies to improve CHD knowledge and awareness, particularly in African American and Hispanic women who are at highest risk, thereby addressing racial/ethnic and gender disparities in CHD morbidity and mortality.
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