Self-management of multiple chronic conditions among African American women with asthma: a qualitative study

ObjectiveThe current article seeks to examine the ways in which African-American women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) describe their disease experience and how they cope with their disease. This qualitative study provides deeper insight into whether experiences of African-American women with SLE differ from previous qualitative study findings.MethodsQualitative data were gathered using interviews and a focus group, from participants in the Peer Approaches to Lupus Self-management (PALS) programme. Data were analysed for themes related to disease experience and how participants cope with their disease. Twenty-seven African-American women with SLE were recruited into the peer mentoring programme, of which 7 served as mentors and 20 served as mentees. A 12-week peer mentoring intervention delivered by phone and based on the Chronic Disease Self-Management and Arthritis Self-Management Programs.ResultsThree categories encompassing a total of 10 subcategories emerged from analyses: (A) interpersonal, familialandromantic relationships; (B) individual experiences of living with SLE; and (C) physician–patient relationships.ConclusionWe gained insight on several issues related to patient perspectives of African-American women with SLE, and the context surrounding their thoughts and feelings related to lupus, including their providers, families and other social support networks. Additional research efforts could explore and address the thematic domains and respective subthemes identified here. Although limited due to the preliminary nature of the study, this information can be used to create future evidence-based interventions to decrease the impact of SLE on African-American patients.

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Factors related to advance care planning among older African American women: Age, medication, and acute care visits

Palliative & Supportive Care ◽

10.1017/s1478951519001007 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 413-418

Author(s):

Jung Kwak ◽

Julie L. Ellis

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

African American Women ◽

Advance Care Planning ◽

Chronic Conditions ◽

Emergency Department Visits ◽

Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽

Care Planning ◽

American Women ◽

Older African American Women ◽

Advance Care

AbstractObjectivesAdvance care planning (ACP) is linked with high-quality clinical outcomes at the end of life. However, ACP engagement is lower among African Americans than among Whites. In this study, we sought to identify correlates of ACP among African American women with multiple chronic conditions for two reasons: (1) African American women with multiple chronic conditions have high risks for serious illnesses, more intensive treatments, and circumstances that may require substitutes' decision-making and (2) identifying correlates of ACP among African American women can help us identify important characteristics to inform ACP outreach and interventions for this group.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted with 116 African American women aged ≥50 years who were recruited from the central area of a mid-western city.ResultsOn average, participants were 64 years old (SD = 9.42). The majority were not married (78%), had less than a college education (50%), and had an annual income of $15,000 (54%). Their mean numbers of chronic conditions and prescribed medications were 3.31 (SD = 1.25) and 8.75 (SD = 4.42), respectively. Fifty-nine per cent reported having talked with someone about their preferences (informal ACP); only 30% had completed a living will or a power of attorney for healthcare (formal ACP). Logistic regression showed that age, the number of hospitalizations or emergency department visits, and the number of prescription medications were significantly correlated with both informal and formal ACP; other demographic and psychosocial characteristics (the knowledge of ACP, self-efficacy, and trust in the medical system) were not.Significance of resultsResults of this study suggest a need for targeted, culturally sensitive outpatient ACP education to promote ACP engagement in older African American women, taking into account age, the severity of chronic conditions, and levels of medication management.

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Novel Interventions for HIV Self-management in African American Women: A Systematic Review of mHealth Interventions

Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care ◽

10.1016/j.jana.2014.08.002 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 139-150 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Kimberly Adams Tufts ◽

Kaprea F. Johnson ◽

Jewel Goodman Shepherd ◽

Ju-Young Lee ◽

Muna S. Bait Ajzoon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

African American ◽

African American Women ◽

Self Management ◽

American Women

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Patient Experiences with Pregnancy Planning and Perspectives on Reproductive Care in Community Health Centers: A Qualitative Study of African American Women in Chicago

Women s Health Issues ◽

10.1016/j.whi.2016.10.008 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 322-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rachel E. Stones ◽

Debra B. Stulberg ◽

Jennifer K. Bello Kottenstette

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Community Health ◽

African American Women ◽

Community Health Centers ◽

Patient Experiences ◽

Health Centers ◽

American Women ◽

Pregnancy Planning

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Overcoming barriers to recruitment and retention of African–American women with SLE in behavioural interventions: lessons learnt from the WELL study

Lupus Science & Medicine ◽

10.1136/lupus-2020-000391 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. e000391

Author(s):

Cristina Drenkard ◽

Kirk Easley ◽

Gaobin Bao ◽

Charmayne Dunlop-Thomas ◽

S Sam Lim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

African American Women ◽

Research Team ◽

Performance Standards ◽

Self Management ◽

Close Monitoring ◽

Culturally Competent ◽

Behavioural Interventions ◽

American Women ◽

Recruitment And Retention

BackgroundAfrican–Americans are historically under-represented in SLE studies and engaging them in behavioural interventions is challenging. The Women Empowered to Live with Lupus (WELL) study is a trial conducted to examine the effectiveness of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) among African–American women with SLE. We describe enrolment and retention challenges and successful strategies of the WELL study.MethodsThe Georgians Organized Against Lupus (GOAL) cohort, a population-based cohort established in Atlanta, Georgia, was used to enrol a sample of 168 African–American women with SLE into the CDSMP. The CDSMP is a 6-week, group-based programme led by peers to enhance self-management skills in people with chronic conditions. Study performance standards were predefined and close monitoring of recruitment and retention progress was conducted by culturally competent staff members. Continuous contact with participants, research coordinators’ notes and regular research team meetings served to assess barriers and define strategies needed to meet the desired recruitment and retention outcomes.ResultsWhile no substantial barriers were identified to enrol GOAL participants into the WELL study, WELL participants faced difficulties registering for and/or completing (attending ≥4 sessions) a CDSMP workshop. Major barriers were unpredicted personal and health-related issues, misunderstanding of the scope and benefits of the intervention, and transportation problems. Early implementation of tailored strategies (eg, CDSMP scheduled on Saturdays, CDSMP delivered at convenient/familiar facilities, transportation services) helped to reduce participant barriers and achieve a CDSMP registration of 168 participants, with 126 (75%) completers. Frequent contact with participants and compensation helped to reach 92.3% retention for the 6-month survey.ConclusionsPredefined standards and monitoring of participant barriers by a culturally competent research team and proactive solutions were critical to implementing successful strategies and achieving the desired recruitment and retention outcomes of a behavioural trial involving African–American women with SLE.Trial registration numberNCT02988661.

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