Use of Blood Pressure Monitors in Pharmacies by Hypertensive Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Viera Anthony J, Cohen Lauren W, Mitchell C Madeline, Sloane Philip D
Primary Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hypothesis
What is the proportion of hypertensive patients who use blood pressure monitors stationed in pharmacies and how does use vary by demographic or health characteristics?
Conclusion
Hypertensive patients' use of BP monitors located in pharmacies is common, with younger patients, Blacks, and those with high school education being slightly more likely to report using them.
Supporting Evidence
- 66% of respondents reported using a monitor stationed in a pharmacy.
- Respondents older than 65 years were less likely to use pharmacy-stationed monitors (35%).
- 48% of Blacks reported using pharmacy-stationed monitors compared to 39% of whites.
Takeaway
Many people with high blood pressure check their blood pressure at pharmacies. Younger people and those with a high school education are more likely to use these monitors.
Methodology
A cross-sectional mail survey of hypertensive adults enrolled in a practice-based research network in North Carolina.
Potential Biases
Possible selection bias resulting in a sample of people generally more interested in their health.
Limitations
The sample may not be fully representative of the general population, and the study did not assess how often respondents used the monitors.
Participant Demographics
{"mean_age":59.6,"gender_distribution":{"female":68.5,"male":31.5},"race_distribution":{"white":67.5,"black":32.5},"education_distribution":{"high_school_graduate":32.5,"some_college_or_more":41.9,"less_than_high_school":25.6}}
Statistical Information
P-Value
{"age":0.04,"race":0.03,"education":0.02}
Confidence Interval
{"overall_use":"95% CI 58.7 to 67.0","pharmacy_use":"95% CI 61.3 – 71.5"}
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website