Cultural factors associated with antihypertensive medication adherence in Chinese immigrants.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about hypertension control and cultural factors related to medication adherence in Chinese immigrants.


OBJECTIVE
: The purpose of this study was to characterize Chinese immigrants with hypertension and to examine what cultural factors are associated with medication adherence.


METHODS
A cross-sectional design was used. Data were gathered from a convenience sample of 200 subjects recruited in an Asian outpatient clinic in the San Francisco Bay Area using self-report questionnaires and blood pressure measurements. Participants were Chinese immigrants 18 years old and older, taking antihypertensive medications, and able to speak Mandarin.


RESULTS
The mean age was 71 (+/-10) years. Half were men (50%). Most were married (70%), and reported an annual family income of <20,000 dollars (71%) and an average length of stay in the United States of 13 (+/-7) years. Medication adherence was reported by 75%, although only 51% had controlled hypertension. Four of 8 cultural factors were statistically significant predictors for medication nonadherence: lower perceived susceptibility [OR = 3.77 (95% CI 1.19, 12.01)]; higher perceived benefit of Chinese herbs [OR = 2.21 (95% CI 1.02, 4.81)]; lower perceived benefit of Western medications for hypertension [OR = 2.78 (95% CI 1.13, 6.84)]; and longer length of stay in the United States [OR = 2.48 (95% CI 1.12, 5.50)].


CONCLUSIONS
Four cultural factors were identified as significant predictors of medication nonadherence in this sample. These findings can guide culturally appropriate nursing interventions for hypertension management in Chinese immigrants.
Li
Wen-Wen
WW
Department of Physiological Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, CA 94143-0610, USA. wenwenli@yahoo.com
Stewart
Anita L
AL
Stotts
Nancy
N
Froelicher
Erika Sivarajan
ES
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001213:Asian; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents