Table 1.
Baseline Characteristics of Study Participants
| Characteristics | Virtual Visit‐Assisted Program (n=10) | LABBPS, Intervention Arm (n=139) |
|---|---|---|
| Age, mean±SD, y | 57.3±5.9 | 54.4±10.2 |
| Body mass index, mean±SD, kg/m2 * | 29.4±5.1 | 30.7±5.5 |
| Married or living with a partner, n (%) | 4 (40) | 64 (46.4) |
| Highest education, n (%) | ||
| Less than high school | 1 (10) | 6 (4.5) |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency) | 2 (20) | 30 (22.6) |
| Some college, or associate's degree | 5 (50) | 68 (51.1) |
| Bachelor's degree | 2 (20) | 22 (16.5) |
| Graduate or professional degree | 0 (0) | 7 (5.3) |
| Household income, % of the federal poverty level, n (%)† | ||
| <100% of federal poverty limit | 2 (20) | 41 (31.8) |
| 100%–300% of federal poverty limit | 4 (40) | 36 (27.9) |
| 301%–500% of federal poverty limit | 1 (10) | 26 (20.2) |
| >500% of federal poverty limit | 2 (20) | 26 (20.2) |
| Regular medical care provider, n (%) | 10 (100) | 106 (76.8) |
| Any health insurance, n (%) | 10 (100) | 118 (84.9) |
| Barbershop patronage | ||
| Duration of patronage, mean±SD, y | 13.4±9.6 | 10.4±9.9 |
| Time between visits, mean±SD, wk | 2.4±1.8 | 2.0±0.9 |
| Cardiac risk factors, n (%) | ||
| Current smoker | 2 (20) | 43 (31.4) |
| Diabetes mellitus | 5 (50) | 31 (22.3) |
| High cholesterol | 7 (70) | 49 (35.3) |
| Blood Pressure Data‡ |
Virtual Visit‐Assisted Program (n=9)§ |
LABBPS, Intervention Arm (n=139) |
|---|---|---|
| Systolic blood pressure, mean±SD, mm Hg | ||
| Baseline | 157.4±15 | 152.4±10.1 |
| 12 mo | 126.4±5.2 | 123.8±8.8 |
| Change | −28.7±13.4 | −28.6±12.7 |
| Diastolic blood pressure, mean±SD, mm Hg | ||
| Baseline | 85.2±11 | 91.9±11.3 |
| 12 mo | 75.0±7.2 | 74.1±8.2 |
| Change | −8.9±14.7 | −17.8±11.9* |
| Hypertension control rate after 12 mo, n (%) | ||
| Blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg | 9 (100) | 118 (94) |
| Blood pressure <135/85 mm Hg | 9 (100) | 110 (88) |
| Blood pressure <130/80 mm Hg | 6 (67) | 85 (68) |
LABBPS indicates Los Angeles Barbershop Blood Pressure Study.
*
The body mass index components (height and weight) were self‐reported.
†
One participant declined to answer. The 2015 US federal poverty guidelines are based on the total household income and family size; in 2015, the federal poverty threshold was $11 770 for a single person and $4160 for each additional person.
‡
P values for all comparisons between telemedicine and LABBPS were >0.05, except where indicated *.
§
One participant was excluded from analysis because of noncompliance to the protocol.