Urban African American Women Research Articles

African American Family Structure

This study addresses the following research questions: (a) What are the various types of family structures that exist in urban African American households? and (b) to what extent do differences in family structure influence social, psychological, and economic well-being as reported by urban African American women? The authors present findings from 301 African American women who participated in a community-based nutrition prevention program in a large Midwestern urban center. This study's results indicate that family structure has more influence on African American women's economic well-being than do social and psycho-logical factors. Implications of these findings for intervention are presented.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of a Telephone 24-hour Dietary Recall Method vs an In-person Method among Urban African-American Women

Objective To examine the comparative accuracy of telephone and in-person 24-hour dietary recall methods. Subjects One hundred eighty-five African-American females, aged 40 years and older, recruited from Sunday church services in Baltimore City, Md. Methods Participants were trained to estimate portion size with plastic food models and a 2-dimensional food recall booklet. Dietary intake was then assessed with 2 in-person 24-hour dietary recalls and 1 telephone 24-hour dietary recall, all using a computer-assisted, multiple pass approach. Results from the 2 in-person recalls were averaged and compared with the results from the telephone recall. Statistical analyses Cross-tabulation, paired t test, Pearson's correlation, chance-corrected agreement, and stepwise linear regression analyses were performed. Results There were no significant differences between the telephone and in-person methods for any nutrient. Agreement between methods was moderate for all major dietary components, with corrected correlations between methods ranging from 0.26 to 0.97 ( P<.001), and kappas ranging from 0.155 to 0.372 ( P<.01). Levels of low-energy reporting were high (88% telephone, 91% in-person), though there were no significant differences between methods. Conclusions The telephone 24-hour dietary recall method appears to be comparable to the standard in-person method among older African-American women. Portion-size training in person may make subsequent telephone dietary recalls acceptable in this population. J Am Diet Assoc. 2000:100; 1172-1177.

Overweight and Depressive Symptoms among African-American Women

Background. In a national survey, a correlation between overweight and depression was explained by dieting and poor health. This study examines overweight and depressive symptoms among urban African-American women, taking into account demographic factors, health status and practices, and psychosocial constructs.Methods. Respondents are 429 participants in a pilot for a culturally tailored intervention promoting healthful eating and exercising. Anthropomorphic and self-administered questionnaire data were collected at a community health club site.Results. Controlling for demographic factors, overweight is associated with symptoms of depression, a relationship that is partially explained by health status, but not by dietary restraint. Using multiple regression, poor health status, alcohol intake, hostility, and low levels of ethnic identity (connectedness with the African-American community) are independent predictors of depressed mood. In this study, dietary restraint reflects healthful eating and is inversely related to depression. The overweight/depression association is stronger among women with high levels of education and high levels of ethnic identity (statistical interactions).Conclusion. Poor health likely contributes over time to both overweight and depressed mood. Ethnic identity enhancement strategies should be studied for their effectiveness in strengthening identity and for their potential in attracting individuals especially likely to benefit from lifestyle change programs.

Understanding Drinking During Pregnancy Among Urban American Indians and African Americans: Health Messages, Risk Beliefs, and How We Measure Consumption

Little is known about urban American Indian and African American women's drinking during pregnancy, or their beliefs about the risk of doing so. However, rates of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) are believed to be highest among those ethnic groups. The Developing Effective Educational Resources (DEER) project recruited pregnant American Indian, African American, and white women from urban California areas (n = 321), to develop culturally appropriate consumption measures, to gather epidemiological data about drinking during pregnancy, and to assess exposure and reactions to health warnings intended to encourage abstinence during pregnancy. The study found high levels of exposure to health warnings among all ethnic groups, but many women were unclear about the actual consequences of FAS, about the risk of drinking even beer or wine or wine coolers, or about the value of reducing intake at any time during pregnancy. The majority of the women who drank malt liquor, fortified wine, wine, and spirits reported having larger than standard drinks, and daily drinkers had the highest levels of reporting error. When drink size was considered in the calculation of alcohol volume, average daily volume of consumption during pregnancy increased to the FAS risk level (average daily volume > or = 1) in the overall sample and among the African American and white subjects. Because some women, especially heavy drinkers, will continue drinking despite exposure to abstention-oriented health messages, it may be prudent to develop campaigns and interventions that provide factual information to help at-risk women reduce their drinking during pregnancy. Women could be advised of beverage equivalency, of standard drink sizes, and of how their own drinks compare with standard ones. Reliance on standard drink sizes in research can result in significant underreporting of consumption, especially among pregnant risk drinkers.

Survivors' Identification of Protective Factors and Early Warning Signs for Intimate Partner Violence

An exploratory, qualitative study generated hypotheses about women in violent heterosexual relationships: reasons women stay, what helps end the violence, barriers, potential early warning signs, resources, racial differences, and location differences. Twenty-two focus groups of urban and rural African American and White women in five U.S. regions were convened. Participants were at least 18 years of age, had experienced physical violence in intimate relationships, and had been free of violence for at least 6 months. Findings provide insights and tangible suggestions for social institutions to help victims. The findings suggest a need for health communications messages and interventions to help others vulnerable to abuse.

Dietary fat patterns in urban African American women.

The purpose of this study was to describe the scope of fatty food preferences of urban African American women and to examine factors associated with the selection of high fat foods. A volunteer sample of urban African American women church-goers were invited for dietary and risk factor screening at health fairs held following Sunday services. A standardized instrument, the Fat Intake Scale (FIS), was administered primarily by dietitians to estimate dietary fat intake and usual food choices. A sum score of 25 or more is thought to be associated with higher fat and cholesterol intake. As a validation of the FIS, a 24-hour recall was administered to a subsample. Sociodemographics, smoking status and comorbidity were assessed by self-report. Body weight, height, and total blood serum cholesterol were assessed using standardized measurement techniques. In the 521 participating women, 61% were classified as obese based on national reference norms for body mass index (BMI). More than 81% had an FIS of 25 or greater. On multiple logistic regression analysis, significant predictors of a higher fat diet (FIS > or = 25) included age greater than 45 years, obesity, and the absence of comorbidity. These findings suggest that there are independent predictors of selection of a diet high in fat. This has implications for planning and targeting community-based nutrition interventions for African American women who exhibit among the highest rates of obesity in the U.S. and who suffer an excess burden of obesity-related diseases.

Attitudes about entering a nursing home: Comparisons of older rural and urban African-American women

This research examines the attitudes of older (65+) rural and urban African-American women about the possibility of entering a nursing home. Personal, in-depth interviews consisting of structured and open-ended questions were conducted among community-dwelling elders (N = 98) and their responses subjected to content analysis. Approximately one-third of the sample, expressed positive attitudes about entering a nursing home. Positive attitudes reflected three themes: (1) nursing homes are a good option if the elder's physical condition demands them; (2) nursing homes are a good option if the care is good; and (3) an undifferentiated appreciation for or positive perspective on nursing homes. Slightly more than half of the respondents reported negative attitudes about nursing homes. Their responses fell into four categories: (1) they expressed the feeling that moving to a nursing home would require a big adjustment; (2) they perceived nursing homes as bad places to live; (3) they believed that nursing homes are places where you go to die; and (4) some elders described an undifferentiated but generalized resistance to entering a nursing home. The remainder of the sample (about one in seven elders) offered assessments of nursing homes (either positive or negative) that were dependent on their family's circumstances. Residential differences were observed in both positive and negative categories. These findings lend further evidence to the proposition that residential context shapes perceptions of long-term care choices and raises questions about the degree to which entering a nursing home is perceived as negative, particularly among African-Americans.

Relationships of Substance Abuse to Dietary Intakes and Anthropometric Measurements in Urban African American Pregnant Women.

LEARNING OUTCOME: Through the use of anthropometric measurements, examine the impact of alcohol and substance abuse on the nutritional status of pregnant women.Relationships of illicit and licit drugs to dietary intakes and anthropometric measurements were examined in 163 urban African American pregnant women. Socio-demographic and dietary data were collected via questionnaires. Maternal anthropometric measurements were determined from the participants’ medical records. Fasting blood samples were screened for marijuana, heroin, opiate and phencyclidine (PCP). The participants were designated as drug users, trace drug users and non-drug users based on screening threshold concentrations. Drug use was determined by self reports and biochemical analysis. Prevalence of self reported drug use was lower than the prevalence based on biochemical analysis. Chi-square analysis showed significant relationships between smoking and use of alcoholic beverages (P<0.05). No significant differences were noted when the soda-demographic characteristics were compared. Kilocalories, protein, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B12 and phosphorus were consumed consistently in amounts equal to or exceeding 100% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). Vitamin B6, calcium, folate, iron, magnesium and zinc were consumed in amounts below the RDA. No significant differences in food energy and nutrient intakes were found among the groups (P>0.05). The maternal anthropometric measurements though similar among the three groups, were mainly highest among the drug using group.

GROWING UP IN AN ERA OF INCREASED LEAD (Pb) EXPOSURE: IS THERE A RISK TO THE NEXT GENERATION? † 636

Greater than 85% of children raised in the 1970s had blood lead (BPb) levels ≥10 μg/dL, the level currently defining childhood Pb poisoning. After accumulation in bone, release of skeletal Pb to blood occurs, particularly when the kinetic rates of bone turnover are elevated, such as during pregnancy. We examined a group of childbearing-aged urban African-American and Hispanic women to determine whether they had measurable bone Pb. Methods: Tibial bone Pb content was assessed by L-line X-ray fluorescence (LXRF). This is a noninvasive, low dose radiation technique that measures cortical bone Pb. Other measures included age, years in New York City (NYC), BPb and a home Pb assessment employing KXRF methodology.Results: A convenience sample of 35 women were enrolled. The mean(± sd) age was 28±8 years. Their average time living in New York City was 19±11 years. Mean BPb was 5±6 μg/dL; 5 women had BPb≥ 10 μg/dL. Pb was detected on some surfaces in all the homes and on many surfaces in some homes. Bone Pb was detectable by LXRF in 6 of the 35 women, only two of whom had a BPb ≥10 μg/dL. There was no significant correlation between bone Pb and BPb, or age, home Pb or years in NYC.Conclusion: Bone Pb levels may be elevated in a substantial number of urban minority women of childbearing age. Few of these women would be identified by BPb screening. The risks to the developing fetuses from maternal bone Pb stores deserves further investigation.

Poor African American Women and Work: The Occupational Attainment Process

I use multiple measures to examine the occupational attainment process among urban African American women from low-income backgrounds. Using 10-year follow-up data and earlier study data, I found that employment histories and current employment had more impact than childbearing events or amount of education on the income and job quality of minority women in their mid-twenties. Simply being employed led to an adequate job with minimal financial self-sufficiency. The most important contributor to a “good job,” one with ample earnings and more than adequate non-wage benefits, was having content-specific educational goals in high school, attaining post-high school training in the same content area, and obtaining jobs that utilized this content background. These findings suggest that chronological interruptions in the traditional occupational attainment process are normative for poor African American women, and, by themselves, are not opportunity costs; however, interruptions in content consistency result in lowered occupational attainment.

Inner-city women and AIDS: The psycho-social benefits of unsafe sex

The paper describes and analyzes findings from a larger study of the links between low levels of condom use and impoverished, urban, African-American women's experiences and understandings of heterosexual relationships. The research identifies and explores psycho-social barriers to safer-sex. This article examines, in detail, HIV/AIDS risk denial and women's strategic use of unsafe (condomless) sex and "monogamy narratives" to build and to maintain this denial. The tendency to view urban African-American women's conjugal affiliations as instrumental is questioned.