Low‐salt diet adherence in African Americans with hypertension. Issue 19 (23rd July 2018) - Bolin, Linda P
Abstract : Aims and objectives: To identify health and physiological measures, depressive symptoms and locus of control (LOC) in adherence to a low salt (1, 500 mg sodium), diet in African American (AA) adults with hypertension (HTN). Background: Adherence determinants to self‐management behaviours among AA adults with HTN is essential in prevention of outcomes such as stroke. A low‐salt diet is one key factor in the successful management of HTN. Design: A cross‐sectional correlational design. Methods: Systolic blood pressure, co‐morbidities, serum creatinine, potassium, education, depression, LOC and social support were examined in relationship to self‐reported adherence to a low‐salt diet in a sample of AA adults ( N = 77) aged 55–84. Demographic and physiologic data were collected in addition to diet adherence on a 100 mm visual analog scale. Standardised tools included Multidimensional Health LOC scale and the Patient Health Question‐9 Depression Instrument. Results: Lower adherence to a low‐salt diet was more prevalent in females ( n = 27; 73%). A moderate negative correlation ( r = −0.294; p < 0.01) was found with low‐salt diet adherence in the PHQ‐9 ( r = −0.294; p < 0.01). Both multiple regression, models significantly influenced adherence to low salt diet, with both models explaining 24% of the variance; internal LOC ( F = 2.599 [8, 68]; p = 0.02) and external LOC ( F = 2.667 [8, 68]; p = 0.013). Conclusion: Increasing awareness of factors affecting adherence to a low‐salt diet is important for clinicians for effective management of HTN in AA adults. Relevance to clinical practice: Nurses are encouraged to adopt a comprehensive assessment of those with HTN to identify psychosocial needs, in particular depressive symptoms, as a potential secondary prevention measure.