An exploration of the variables that are associated with health promotion behaviors among urban Black women in the United States

48^th World Congress on Advanced Nursing Research

June 14-15, 2018 | Dublin, Ireland

Millie Hepburn

Quinnipiac University, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Adv Practice Nurs

Abstract :

Purpose: To improve understanding of variables impacting health promotion behaviors among urban Black women. Methods: Cross-sectional survey was used. Urban Black women (n=132) between the ages of 30 to 64 years participated. The survey was conducted in a US metropolitan region in 2015. The survey measures: health literacy (NVS), self-efficacy (NGSE), readiness for change (HRI) was correlated to health promotion behaviors (HPLPII). Analysis: Univariate statistics addressed demographic characteristics; bivariate/simultaneous linear regression determined the relationships between the NVS, NGSE and HRI to health promotion behaviors (HPLPII). Results: Demographics: 72.6% completed high school and 25% completed college, and mean BMI>32. Positive correlations existed between each variable to health promotion behaviors: NVS (r=.244, p<.002), NGSE (r=.312, p<.001), HRI (r=.440, p<.001), and accounted for 29.8% of variances in health promotion behaviors. Education and health literacy were also correlated (rs=.414, p=.001). Conclusion: Although health literacy, self-efficacy and readiness for change are associated with health promotion behaviors, readiness for change was the most highly correlated. Clinical Relevance: Development of programs to facilitate health promotion behaviors among urban Black women should include interventions that address health literacy, self-efficacy, and readiness for change in order to reduce critical health disparities. Demographic characteristics, such as body mass index, education and lifestyle behaviors were shown to correlate to health promotion behaviors. millie.hepburn@quinnipiac.edu