BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE-: We performed a pilot project to assess the need for and feasibility of a church-based stroke risk reduction intervention in a predominantly Mexican American community. METHODS-: Participants were recruited after each mass on a single weekend from 2 Catholic churches in Corpus Christi, Texas. Questionnaires about personal stroke risk factors and interest in program participation were completed, and blood pressure screening was performed. RESULTS-: A total of 150 individuals participated (63% Mexican American, median age 62). A substantial majority (84%) were interested in being part of a long-term church-based health education project. Blood pressure was >139/89 mm Hg in 50 of 78 (64%) of individuals with a self-reported history of hypertension, and in 17 of 69 (25%) of individuals without known hypertension, with no ethnic differences in blood pressure. Mexican Americans were younger, had a higher BMI, and were more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. CONCLUSIONS-: There is substantial burden of stroke risk factors in these predominantly Mexican American church communities. Church-based health interventions may be a way to reduce stroke in this at-risk population. © 2008 American Heart Association, Inc.
CITATION STYLE
Zahuranec, D. B., Morgenstern, L. B., Garcia, N. M., Conley, K. M., Lisabeth, L. D., Rank, G. S., … Brown, D. L. (2008). Stroke health and risk education (share) pilot project: Feasibility and need for church-based stroke health promotion in a bi-ethnic community. Stroke, 39(5), 1583–1585. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.503557
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