A Study of Cardiovascular Disparities in the Greater Mankato Somali Community to Prevent Hypertension

‐ We will randomly assign participants to either the treatment or control group.Participants in the treatment group will be given access to the education or BPmonitor. Participants in the control group will receive referrals only to a PCP. Wewill use pre‐ and post‐intervention to examine baseline data (during randomization)and assess changes in BP status and PCP follow up. A 3 weeks and 3 months assessmentwill determine BP control and PCP status. By comparing between pre‐ andpost‐intervention data, we can identify whether the educational content is effectivein improving participants' knowledge, attitude, and health seeking behavior for highBP. By comparing between the treatment and control groups, we can examine to whatextent the education and BP monitoring influences the effectiveness of theeducational intervention. ‐ We will assess reach by tracking and recording the number of community membersscreened at each screening station, the Mosque and Halal Store. Each person willonly be screened at baseline, 6 weeks and 3 months and we will record their systolicand diastolic blood pressures, age, sex, PCP status, and most recent visit with ahealthcare provider. Additionally, the CHW will follow up with those that werereferred for education and/or PCP visit to identify how many followed through withthe recommendations (daily BP check, 30 minutes physical activity, dietary changes).Interviews will be conducted with community members who were referred to PCP andhealth educators due to high BP to assess the impact of the CHW/educators on theirhealth seeking behaviors including motivation to make changes such as checking bloodpressures, making dietary changes, increasing physical activity and seeking primarycare, as well as how their experience with peer education was. CHW will also beinterviewed to understand their overall perception of screening, suggestions forimprovement. Following a community members referral to the champions for acute careneeds (if they don't have a PCP or are unable to get in in a timely manner),participants' feedback about their visit with the provider will be collected toassess their overall experience with the provider.Approach for Aim 2: Test the effectiveness of training Halal staff and Somali leaders toeducate community members regarding culturally appropriate dietary recommendations andother lifestyle interventions for hypertension. For this aim Halal store owners andcommunity leaders will keep a weekly record of the number of community members theyreached out to. Additionally, community members who receive peer education will beinterviewed to determine if the education from the Halal store owners was helpful, andwhat their experience was like Halal store owners and community leaders will also beinterviewed to assess their overall perception of the peer education.Approach for Aim 3: Build research capacity within the GMHEP members to engage incommunity‐based research projects. Focus group will be conducted with GMHEP membersfollowing educational session to determine their experience with research education andcomfort with conducting focus groups to peers.