Effectiveness of a Barbershop-Based Program to Improve High Blood Pressure Control and Awareness in Black Men

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Hypertension

• Registration Number: NCT00325533
• Lead Sponsor: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Brief Summary

Black men in the United States have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure than men of any other ethnic or racial group. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a high blood pressure detection and medical referral program conducted by barbers in predominantly Black barbershops at increasing awareness and lowering blood pressure levels among their Black male customers.

Detailed Description

High blood pressure affects approximately 35% of Black men in the United States. This may be due to the fact that Black men frequently have an unusually high number of risk factors for high blood pressure, including diabetes, high stress levels, and increased salt intake and sensitivity. While high blood pressure can often be controlled through diet, lifestyle changes, or medication, it is a chronic asymptomatic medical condition for which individuals should remain under the care of a regular medical provider. A predominantly Black barbershop may be an optimum and receptive setting for an intervention that focuses on improving the detection and treatment of high blood pressure among Black men. In this study, barbers, deemed as influential peers, will be trained to continually monitor their customers' blood pressure, deliver health messages designed to change risk perception and ideas about healthcare utilization, and provide social support for changes in healthcare-seeking behavior and blood pressure levels. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a barbershop-based intervention at increasing blood pressure awareness and lowering blood pressure levels among Black male customers. With over 18,000 Black barbershops in the United States, the results from this study may be extremely influential in improving the diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure in Black men.

This study will enroll Black men who are regular customers at a participating barbershop. Each barbershop will be randomly assigned to either a 10-month intervention group or a control group. Nurses will train the intervention group barbers to measure blood pressure and deliver health messages related to blood pressure control during each customer's visit. Before and after the intervention, study researchers will interview barbers and customers over an 8-week period to collect information on blood pressure control. A 12-month follow-up visit will include assessments of blood pressure levels, customer recognition of elevated blood pressure levels, and the number of customers receiving regular medical care.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2006-05
• Study First Submitted: 2006-05-12
• Study First Submitted QC: 2006-05-12
• Study First Posted: 2006-05-15
• Primary Completion: 2008-12
• Study Completion: 2009-06
• Status Verified: 2009-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-06-11
• Last Update Posted: 2014-06-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 2319

Inclusion Criteria

• African American
• Regular customer at one of the participating barbershops

Exclusion Criteria

• Does not speak English

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percentage of customers with high blood pressure who achieve recommended systolic and diastolic blood pressure values	Measured at 12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Customer recognition of elevated blood pressure levels	Measured at 12 months
Number of customers with high blood pressure with a regular medical provider	Measured at 12 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Dallas, Texas, United States