ACUTE CHEST PAIN IN AFRICAN-AMERICANS - FACTORS IN THE DELAY IN SEEKING EMERGENCY CARE

Objectives. African Americans have been shown to have longer delay tim es than the majority population in seeking care for acute cardiac prob lems. The purpose of this study was to determine whether socioeconomic factors affect delay times. Methods. Structured interviews were admin istered to 254 African Americans admitted to a public hospital and 194 African Americans admitted to a private hospital for suspected acute myocardial infarction. Results. Patient characteristics found by multi ple regression analysis to affect decision-making and travel time for care-seeking were structural access to care, persistence of symptoms, degree of incapacitation, consultation with a layperson, consultation with medical professionals, and mode of transportation.Conclusions. Wi thin-group differences were found to be related to socioeconomic statu s. Strategies to increase knowledge about heart attack symptoms, impro ve access to care, and improve the socioeconomic status of at-risk Afr ican Americans are indicated.