Data Collection to Understand Hypertension Screening Hesitancy in Southwest Louisiana
Location
LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans
Start Date
9-4-2025 11:30 AM
End Date
9-4-2025 1:30 PM
Description
Background: Early detection of hypertension is critical, as chronic high blood pressure is a risk factor for several of the leading causes of death in the United States (Chobanian et al., 2003). Residents of Southwest Louisiana—40% of whom have hypertension—would benefit from increased hypertension screenings (LDH, 2017). However, recent efforts have fallen short; nurses offering free hypertension screenings in community clinics report that patients tend to decline the free, quick, and non-invasive screening. To screen residents despite their apparent lack of interest, we must first identify their baseline attitudes towards hypertension screening, reasons for declining screening, and their understanding of the risks of chronic hypertension.
Description: An interprofessional public health group created a 22-question mixed-methods survey to collect data on demographics, health care use and hesitancy, blood pressure measurement habits, understanding of hypertension risks, and reasons for hypertension screening hesitancy. After administering the survey at LDH health fairs and health units, the data was reviewed and discussed within a cardiovascular health focus group.
Accomplishments: The survey was administered to 72 patients, and the respondent demographics were largely representative of Southwest Louisiana. Common themes emerged from the data that could be used to guide future screening efforts.
Discussion: Hypertension is a prevalent condition, which means there exists a wide range of beliefs and a potential for minimizing hypertension’s risks since “everyone” has it. This project’s renewed data collection once health care workers identified a lack of community screening interest follows standard public health practice—public health efforts must be data-supported to effectively solve the targeted issues.
Future Steps: Based on the survey’s findings, public health messaging around hypertension screening will change. Patients need to understand that they will have hypertension no matter if they screen or not; screening just allows them to be proactive and increase their chances of living a longer, healthier life.
Recommended Citation
Girard, Cecile; Metoyer, Brittni; and Cavanaugh, Lacey, "Data Collection to Understand Hypertension Screening Hesitancy in Southwest Louisiana" (2025). School of Public Health Delta Omega Honors Day Poster Sessions. 17.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/dohd/2025/2025/17
Poster
Girard,Cecile(presentatio)2025.mp4 (14210 kB)
Presentation
Data Collection to Understand Hypertension Screening Hesitancy in Southwest Louisiana
LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans
Background: Early detection of hypertension is critical, as chronic high blood pressure is a risk factor for several of the leading causes of death in the United States (Chobanian et al., 2003). Residents of Southwest Louisiana—40% of whom have hypertension—would benefit from increased hypertension screenings (LDH, 2017). However, recent efforts have fallen short; nurses offering free hypertension screenings in community clinics report that patients tend to decline the free, quick, and non-invasive screening. To screen residents despite their apparent lack of interest, we must first identify their baseline attitudes towards hypertension screening, reasons for declining screening, and their understanding of the risks of chronic hypertension.
Description: An interprofessional public health group created a 22-question mixed-methods survey to collect data on demographics, health care use and hesitancy, blood pressure measurement habits, understanding of hypertension risks, and reasons for hypertension screening hesitancy. After administering the survey at LDH health fairs and health units, the data was reviewed and discussed within a cardiovascular health focus group.
Accomplishments: The survey was administered to 72 patients, and the respondent demographics were largely representative of Southwest Louisiana. Common themes emerged from the data that could be used to guide future screening efforts.
Discussion: Hypertension is a prevalent condition, which means there exists a wide range of beliefs and a potential for minimizing hypertension’s risks since “everyone” has it. This project’s renewed data collection once health care workers identified a lack of community screening interest follows standard public health practice—public health efforts must be data-supported to effectively solve the targeted issues.
Future Steps: Based on the survey’s findings, public health messaging around hypertension screening will change. Patients need to understand that they will have hypertension no matter if they screen or not; screening just allows them to be proactive and increase their chances of living a longer, healthier life.
Comments
Mentor: Lacey Cavanaugh, MD, Louisiana Department of Health, Lake Charles, LA