Health Promotion Behaviors among Urban Black Women

Abstract

Health-promotion behaviors among urban Black women are the forefront of US health policy regarding health disparities. This cross-sectional study explored factors such as health literacy, self-efficacy, and readiness for change with health-promotion behaviors of urban Black women. Although these variables are relevant, urban Black women have identified that spirituality and history of domestic violence were also relevant. The sample consists of 152 participants from outpatient clinics, community events, and grocery stores in one Northeastern US city. The anonymous online survey contained the following Instruments: Newest Vital Sign, New General Self-efficacy Scale, Health Risk Instrument, Daily Spiritual Assessment Scale, FAST Survey, and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Univariate statistics and bivariate/simultaneous linear regression identified significant relationships between health-promotion behaviors and the following: eeadiness for change, self-efficacy, and spirituality. Participants who engaged in health-promotion behaviors were ready to change, but these behaviors were negatively associated with spirituality, self-efficacy, and a history of domestic violence.