BLACK-MALE COLLEGE-STUDENTS AND HYPERTENSION - A QUALITATIVE INVESTIGATION

Qualitative research was used to determine what young black male colle ge students do and believe in the hypertension related areas of nutrit ion, stress and exercise. Black female college students also were aske d about their perception of the men's beliefs and behaviors in regard to the above mentioned areas. The study identified stress, especially the stress of being a black male in the US, as the most important conc ern of both male and female students. There was also agreement in both gender groups that relatives and close friends, especially females, h ad more influence on men's health behavior than professionals or celeb rities. The study discusses the implications of these findings for hyp ertension prevention programs targeted at young black male college stu dents.