Abstract P148: Perceived Religious Influence on Health is Associated With Beneficial Cardiovascular Health Behaviors Within Predominantly Black Churches in New Orleans, Louisiana

Abstract

Introduction: CVD is the leading cause of death in the US. Black populations are disproportionately affected by CVD. Further, Black populations have substantially high rates of religiosity. Previous research has demonstrated a positive correlation between religiosity and health, but the mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we describe the relationship between perceived religious influence on CVD health behaviors, risk factors and confidence in participating in medical care within predominantly Black churches in New Orleans, Louisiana. Hypothesis: Perceived religious influence on health is positively associated with CVD health behaviors, risk factors and confidence in participating in medical care. Methods: A survey in 302 members of 13 churches with predominantly Black congregations was conducted during the needs assessment of the Church-based Health Intervention to Eliminate Racial Inequalities in Cardiovascular Health (CHERISH) trial. Religious influence on health was assessed with two statements, (1) “Religious beliefs have great influence on my health” and (2) “I tend to avoid things harmful to my body because of religious beliefs” and measured with a five-point Likert scale ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”. Outcomes included fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, smoking status, self-reported hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and confidence in asking questions to provider and understanding treatment plans. Logistic regression and cumulative odds logistic regression models were used to examine the association with individual and composite outcomes, respectively, adjusting for age, sex, and education. Results: Survey respondents were 77% (233/302) female with a mean age of 65.5 years, and 72% (218/302), 56% (168/302), and 37% (111/302) reported hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes, respectively. Perceived religious influence on health was associated with daily fruit and vegetable consumption (OR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.67), physical activity (OR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.96), composite health behaviors (OR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.48), confidence in asking questions to provider (OR = 3.46; 95% CI: 1.41, 9.12), and the composite confidence outcome (OR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.06, 4.26). Avoiding harmful things because of religion was associated with physical activity (OR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.17, 3.38) and composite health behaviors (OR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.42). There was no association between the exposures and self-reported hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or diabetes. Conclusion: Perceived religious influence on health was associated with beneficial CVD health behaviors and confidence in participating in medical care. These findings may inform cultural tailoring of interventions to reduce CVD among the US Black population.