Providers, Peers Influence Aspirin Use Among African-Americans

 Positive cultural beliefs around taking aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are associated with greater adoption of the intervention among African-Americans, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Community Health.

Jeremy R. Van't Hof, M.D., from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and colleagues assessed aspirin use for CVD prevention in African-Americans and evaluated associations with demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and health behaviors and beliefs. The analysis included survey results from 684 African-American adults aged 45 to 79 years.

The researchers found that secondary-prevention aspirin use was 62 percent among respondents, while primary-prevention aspirin use was 32 percent overall and 54 percent among respondents with more than two CVD risk factors. There was a strong association for history of diabetes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.42) and hypertension (aOR, 2.25) with primary-prevention aspirin use. The association was even stronger for those reporting a conversation with a health care provider (aOR, 6.41). Aspirin use was more likely among participants who responded positively to statements about people similar to them taking aspirin or statements that close contacts think they should take aspirin (aOR, 4.80 and 7.45, respectively).

"These findings support a hypothesis that aspirin use may increase by encouraging conversations with health care providers and creating a supportive social environment for aspirin use," the authors write. "Further studies need to be done to test this hypothesis."

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