CONTENT CONCLUSION

RESULTSMETHODS

OBJECTIVE

BACKGROUND

SIGNIFICANCE

Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Knowledge Gained Among Jackson Heart Study (JHS) Science, Language Arts and

Mathematics (SLAM) Participants Melvin L. Smith Jr., BA1; Deborah Minor, Pharm.D2; Wendy White, PhD3; Annie Gjelsvik, PhD1

1 Brown University, 2 University of Mississippi Medical Center, 3 Tougaloo College

Mississippi leads the nation in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the prevalence of risk factors, including obesity. Alarming trends among children and adolescents suggest the need for early interventions to address and prevent these risk factors. In 2011, 16.5% and 15.8% of Mississippi children were overweight and obese, respectively, compared to the national averages of 15.2% and 13%.

Assessments identified that the prevalence of overweight/obesity and pre-hypertension/hypertension among SLAM participants is much higher than state and national rates. Participation appeared to increase knowledge, though post-scores were less than ideal, at less than 75%. While previous reviews support the impact of participation on increasing knowledge and some self-reported healthy behaviors, these findings demonstrate the need for longitudinal evaluation of ongoing and consecutive years to determine effective methods of addressing CVD risk factors in this vulnerable population.

All participants completed pre- and post-surveys (“Know Your Numbers?” health awareness, CDC Y-BRFSS). Height and weight were determined without shoes (scale-mounted stadiometer, Tanita® Body Composition Analyzer/Scale); BMI was calculated. Blood pressures were measured according to American Heart Association standards using electronic sphygmomanometers and appropriate sized cuffs.

The knowledge-based survey responses were scored for each participant (correct, incorrect), with a mean calculated for the group. The mean scores were stratified by demographics (gender), self-reported previous education, and self-reported health status. Differences in Pre and Post-Test scores by demographic and self reported health characteristics were analyzed using T-test and One-Way ANOVA test.

Participants (n=28) were 71% female, average age 15 years, and predominately African American (96%). The majority (61%) were overweight/obese (mean= 24 BMI SD=5.3) falling in between the 85th and 95th percentile of the CDC’s measurement for calculating BMI in children and teens. 40% were pre-hypertensive and hypertensive, but mean systloic (mean= 116 SD=13.5) and diastolic (mean=66 SD=14) blood pressure was still relatively high for this age group. Average total on the knowledge-based questions improved from a baseline of 52% to 70% on the post-survey (Paired t-test; p<0.0001). This improvement in scores did not differ by gender, previous education, or general self-reported health.

Our purpose was to assess the prevalence of CVD risk factors and the impact of education interventions among the ninth grade SLAM 2014 participants.

The SLAM program is a summer collaborative effort of Tougaloo College and the JHS, with a goal of increasing African American involvement in public health and health related sciences. The SLAM “Know Your Numbers” initiative is an innovative approach to improving health literacy and increasing knowledge and awareness of CVD risk factors.