The objective of this study was to determine the impact on blood pressure control by screening and behavioral intervention education by faith community nurses within church congregations. The convenience sample population of 35 participants included data collection by three faith community nurses in five faith communities in a midwestern state over a six month period during 2011. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, self-reported cardiovascular risk factors and answered orally a health literacy test prior to initial blood pressure measurement. With subsequent blood pressure measurements during the study, the participant self-reported risk reduction interventions utilized. A statistically significant decrease of systolic blood pressure and mean pressure was evident when participants completed all 4 blood pressure measurement and education sessions. Lower frequency of measurement did not result in significantly significant decrease. Faith community nurses provide an effective means of lowering blood pressure through a combined process of blood pressure screening and individually-tailored cardiovascular risk reduction education with repeated interactions.

Key Words: faith community nursing, parish nursing, hypertension, blood pressure screenings.