Ma Mindy, Ma Alyson
Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33314, USA,
J Community Health. 2015 Oct;40(5):1024-30. doi: 10.1007/s10900-015-0027-z.
This study aimed to examine ethnic differences in knowledge of personal and target levels of cardiovascular health indicators between non-Hispanic whites and African Americans. A secondary objective was to evaluate the associations between knowledge of cardiovascular health indicators and health promotion behaviors. Participants (66.7% female) consisted of 265 whites and 428 African Americans, ages 18 and older recruited from primary care clinics and churches. Respondents completed a brief survey on blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol, blood glucose, body mass index (BMI), diet, and physical activity. Whites were more likely than African Americans to report knowing their personal and target levels of cardiovascular health indicators. Knowledge of personal BP and/or BMI was positively associated with actual physical activity, and awareness of personal blood glucose was positively associated with healthy dietary practices for participants in both groups. Among whites, awareness of personal BP and knowledge of target levels for BP, total cholesterol, and BMI were also associated with healthy diet. Results suggest there are racial/ethnic disparities in knowledge of personal and ideal levels of cardiovascular health indicators, and that this knowledge is related to health promotion behaviors. Targeted educational efforts are warranted to enhance knowledge of personal risk indicators among African Americans.
本研究旨在调查非西班牙裔白人和非裔美国人在心血管健康指标的个人水平和目标水平知识方面的种族差异。次要目标是评估心血管健康指标知识与健康促进行为之间的关联。参与者（66.7%为女性）包括265名白人及428名非裔美国人，年龄在18岁及以上，从初级保健诊所和教堂招募而来。受访者完成了一项关于血压（BP）、总胆固醇、血糖、体重指数（BMI）、饮食和身体活动的简短调查。白人比非裔美国人更有可能报告知晓自己心血管健康指标的个人水平和目标水平。个人血压和/或BMI知识与实际身体活动呈正相关，个人血糖意识与两组参与者的健康饮食习惯呈正相关。在白人中，个人血压意识以及血压、总胆固醇和BMI目标水平的知识也与健康饮食有关。结果表明，在心血管健康指标的个人水平和理想水平知识方面存在种族/民族差异，且这种知识与健康促进行为相关。有必要开展有针对性的教育工作，以增强非裔美国人对个人风险指标的了解。
