A Faith-based Intervention to Improve the Management of Hypertension Among African Americans

High mortality rates among African Americans related to complications of uncontrolled hypertension continue. Successful management of chronic diseases require self-care behaviors that will foster healthy outcomes and limit morbidities and mortalities. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine if a faith-based self-management education program would improve self-care activities related to the management of hypertension among African American adults. Reed’s Self-Transcendence Theory provided the framework. Participants of the study were ten African American adults, who reported a diagnosis of hypertension for six months or longer. Participants completed an eight-week education program focused on strategies for hypertension management. The education program was enhanced with the utilization of spiritual components, such as prayer and scripture reading. Although most of the health outcomes measured did not improve, a statistically significant increase in medication adherence was observed among participants post intervention.