The FAITH Trial: Baseline Characteristics of a Church-based Trial to Improve Blood Pressure Control in Blacks.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the baseline characteristics of participants in the Faith-based Approaches in the Treatment of Hypertension (FAITH) Trial. DESIGN: FAITH evaluates the effectiveness of a faith-based lifestyle intervention vs health education control on blood pressure (BP) reduction among hypertensive Black adults. SETTING PARTICIPANTS AND MAIN MEASURES: Participants included 373 members of 32 Black churches in New York City. Baseline data collected included participant demographic characteristics, clinical measures (eg, blood pressure), behaviors (eg, diet, physical activity), and psychosocial factors (eg, self-efficacy, depressive symptoms). RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 63.4 ± 11.9 years and 76% were female. About half completed at least some college (53%), 66% had an income ≥$20,000, and 42.2% were retired or on disability. Participants had a mean systolic and diastolic BP of 152.1 ± 16.8 mm Hg and 86.2 ± 12.2 mm Hg, respectively, and a mean BMI of 32 kg/m2. Hypertension (HTN) medications were taken by 95% of participants, but most (79.1%) reported non-adherence to their regimen. Participants reported consuming 3.4 ± 2.6 servings of fruits and vegetables and received 30.9% of their energy from fat. About one-third (35.9%) reported a low activity level. CONCLUSIONS: Participants in the FAITH trial exhibited several adverse clinical and behavioral characteristics at baseline. Future analyses will evaluate the effectiveness of the faith-based lifestyle intervention on changes in BP and lifestyle behaviors among hypertensive Black adults.

Rationale and design of Faith-based Approaches in the Treatment of Hypertension (FAITH), a lifestyle intervention targeting blood pressure control among black church members.

BACKGROUND: Uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) is a significant public health problem among blacks in the United States. Despite the proven efficacy of therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) on blood pressure (BP) reduction in clinical trials, few studies have examined their effectiveness in church-based settings-an influential institution for health promotion in black communities. METHODS: Using a cluster-randomized, 2-arm trial design, this study evaluates the effectiveness of a faith-based TLC intervention vs health education (HE) control on BP reduction among hypertensive black adults. The intervention is delivered by trained lay health advisors through group TLC sessions plus motivational interviewing in 32 black churches. Participants in the intervention group receive 11 weekly TLC sessions targeting weight loss, increasing physical activity, fruit, vegetable and low-fat dairy intake, and decreasing fat and sodium intake, plus 3 monthly individual motivational interviewing sessions. Participants in the control group attend 11 weekly classes on HTN and other health topics delivered by health care experts. The primary outcome is change in BP from baseline to 6 months. Secondary outcomes include level of physical activity, percent change in weight, and fruit and vegetable consumption at 6 months, and BP control at 9 months. CONCLUSION: If successful, this trial will provide an alternative and culturally appropriate model for HTN control through evidence-based lifestyle modification delivered in churches by lay health advisors.