Influence of perceived religious beliefs on cardiovascular health beliefs, behaviors and blood pressure management among hypertensive adults in Jamaica and Colombia.

Hypertension is highly prevalent with poor control in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Religious beliefs may influence hypertension management. This study examined the relationship between perceived religious influence on blood pressure (BP) management and the behaviors and beliefs impacting cardiovascular health among adults with hypertension in Jamaica and Colombia. We surveyed 576 adult participants from 24 primary care clinics in Jamaica and Colombia. Our main exposure was perceived religious influence on BP management, assessed using the question: "Do religious beliefs play an important part in managing your BP?" Outcomes included beliefs about the causes and treatment of hypertension and behaviors(fruit/vegetable intake, medication adherence, smoking), and a composite outcome of healthy behaviors. Linear and logistic regression models were used for the analyses, adjusting for age, sex, education, and urban/rural residence. Respondents had a mean age of 64.6 years and 69% were female. Overall, 43% of the participants reported perceived religious influence on BP management. These participants were less likely to believe in the need for long-term treatment with antihypertensive medication (OR = 0.37;95%CI:0.21,0.63). They also reported lower medication adherence (OR = 0.51;95%CI:0.32,0.81) and were less likely to report sufficient fruit (OR = 0.53;95%CI:0.34,0.83) and vegetable intake (OR = 0.28;95%CI:0.17,0.46). We also observed an association with the composite outcome of healthy behaviors (OR = 0.33;95%CI:0.21,0.52). In conclusion, participants who reported religious beliefs as being important in management of their BP had lower knowledge of the need for long-term treatment with antihypertensive medication and less desirable health behaviors. These findings suggest the need for culturally tailored interventions in LMICs that incorporate religious beliefs.