Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: July | Volume: 7 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 212-220
Validity of Self-Reported High Blood Pressure among Black and White Seventh-Day Adventists
Dede Kossiwa Teteh1, Jerry W. Lee1, Susanne B. Montgomery2, Colwick M. Wilson3
1School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
2School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
3Kettering Health Network and Kettering College
Corresponding Author: Dede Kossiwa Teteh
ABSTRACT
Background: Self-reported diagnosis of high blood pressure is frequently used to study representative samples of a population.
Objective: Using a cross-sectional design, we examined the relationship between self-reported high blood pressure and clinical evidence for the disease, such as use of antihypertensive medications.
Methods: A community-based sample of older Seventh-day Adventist adults aged 50 years and older (n = 457) was recruited from a prospective cohort study. Confirmed high blood pressure was defined as using an antihypertensive medication, having a systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg,or a diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg.
Results: There were 236 (52.0%) out of 457 participants with self-reported high blood pressure. Blacks (n = 118, 64.8%) reported higher rates of high blood pressure compared to Whites (n = 118, 42.9%). Based on the diagnostic criteria 13.6% (n = 62) were undiagnosed with high blood pressure. Blacks (49.7%) were more likely to report a true positive diagnosis and Whites (50.2%) were more likely to report a true negative diagnosis of high blood pressure. Sensitivity was 72% and specificity 80%. Sensitivity was significantly higher for Blacks (80%) than for Whites (62%)Agreement between self-report and diagnostic criteria for high blood pressure was substantial (kappa 0.68) across all participants.
Conclusions: Our findings add to the evidence that self-report is usually a valid method for assessing high blood pressure, at least for studies with large sample sizes. The greater sensitivity rate for Blacks than Whites suggests that self-report of high blood pressure is more accurate for Blacks.
Key words: validity, high blood pressure, Seventh-day Adventist, self-reports