Physical Health Screenings Among African-American Church and Community Members

J Relig Health. 2016 Oct;55(5):1786-99. doi: 10.1007/s10943-016-0264-1.

Abstract

This study sought to identify characteristics, including religiosity, related to having received health screenings among persons who attend African-American churches or receive church-based community outreach services. A sample of 602 was recruited during two phases as part of a larger project. Blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose screenings were the most frequently reported screenings ever and in the last 12 months. Although religiosity was significantly related to several of the health screenings in bivariate analysis, it is not a predictor of health screenings in multivariate analyses. Innovative strategies are needed to promote screenings such as church-based health fairs.

Keywords: African-Americans; Church; Health screenings.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Health Promotion / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Kansas
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Religion and Medicine*
  • Residence Characteristics*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Young Adult