ABSTRACT
Despite pharmacologic advances, medication non-adherence continues to challenge primary care providers in blood pressure (BP) management. Medical, nursing and pharmacy students (n=11) were recruited and trained as health coaches for uninsured, hypertensive patients (n=25) of a free clinic in an uncontrolled open trial. Pre-post analysis was conducted on BP, medication adherence, frequency of home BP monitoring, and health behavior (eg, diet, exercise). Patient satisfaction and feasibility of a student coach model was qualitatively evaluated. In the 12 patients who completed the intervention, an increase in medication adherence as measured by the Brief Medication Questionnaire was observed (P<.01), with a 11 mmHg reduction in systolic BP (P=.03). Qualitative data showed patient satisfaction with the intervention and other health behavior change. This feasibility study shows use of student health coaches to combat medication non-adherence in uninsured, hypertensive adults is promising.
Subject(s)
Directive Counseling/statistics & numerical data , Hypertension/psychology , Medically Uninsured/psychology , Medication Adherence/psychology , Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use , Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory/psychology , Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory/statistics & numerical data , Directive Counseling/methods , Feasibility Studies , Female , Health Behavior , Humans , Hypertension/drug therapy , Male , Medically Uninsured/statistics & numerical data , Medication Adherence/statistics & numerical data , Middle Aged , Patient Satisfaction/statistics & numerical data , Rhode IslandABSTRACT
Despite generally lower socioeconomic status and worse access to healthcare, Latinos have better overall health outcomes and longer life expectancy than non-Latino Whites. This "Latino Health Paradox" has been partially attributed to healthier cardiovascular (CV) behaviors among Latinos. However, as Latinos become more acculturated, differences in some CV behaviors disappear. This study aimed to explore how associations between acculturation and CV behaviors among Latinos vary by country of origin. Combined weighted data from the 2005 and 2007 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) were used to investigate associations between acculturation level and CV behaviors among Latinos by country of origin. Among all Latinos, increased acculturation was associated with more smoking, increased leisure-time physical activity, and greater consumption of fast foods, but no change in fruit/vegetable and less soda intake. These trends varied, however, by Latino sub-groups from different countries of origin. Country of origin appears to impact associations between acculturation and CV behaviors among Latinos in complex ways.
Subject(s)
Acculturation , Cardiovascular Diseases/ethnology , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Health Behavior/ethnology , Hispanic or Latino , Adult , California , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Risk Reduction BehaviorABSTRACT
To explore colorectal cancer risk perceptions among Latinos. Focus groups discussions among Spanish-speaking Latinos conducted between February and July 2007 with 37 men and women who were age-eligible for colorectal cancer screening. Predominant themes of perceived colorectal cancer risk included: general cancer risks, risks related to nutrition and the digestive tract, and risks related to sexual practices. Participants frequently referred to the role of diet in keeping the colon "clean," suggesting that retained feces increase colorectal cancer risk. Among both men and women, rectal sex was commonly associated with increased colorectal cancer risk. Some Latinos may hold misperceptions about colorectal cancer risks, including an association between rectal sex and colon cancer, that may impact their screening behaviors. Clinicians and public health officials should consider these potential risk misperceptions and explore for other risk misperceptions when counseling and educating patients about colorectal cancer screening.
Subject(s)
Colorectal Neoplasms/ethnology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Hispanic or Latino , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Colorectal Neoplasms/epidemiology , Female , Focus Groups , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Rhode Island , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
This study explored the role of motorcycle taxi drivers in the pre-hospital care of road traffic injury victims in the province of Monte Plata, Dominican Republic. A cross-sectional survey was administered to a convenience sample of 58 motorcycle taxi drivers working at six different highway taxi posts. The majority of drivers surveyed (67.2%) indicated witnessing a motor vehicle crash. The most common type of help drivers reported providing was transportation of crash victims (41%). Only 15.8% of drivers had ever attended a first-aid course but 84.5% expressed interest in attending a course if given the opportunity.
