Hypertension control, predictors for medication adherence and gender differences in older Chinese immigrants.
OBJECTIVE
This paper is a report of a study to explore the relationship between demographic and cultural factors and antihypertensive medication adherence in older Chinese immigrants.


BACKGROUND
Hypertension is a well-known controllable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases worldwide, but only 20-80% of patients who take antihypertensive medications adhere adequately to their treatment regimen.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2002 and 2003, with a convenience sample of 75 older men and 69 older women (n = 144, response rate 80%). Medication adherence was defined as > or =80% of the total score on the Morisky scale.


RESULTS
Age (75.2 +/- 5.7 vs. 75.9 +/- 7.0 years, P = 0.51) and length of stay in the United States of America (12.7 +/- 6.4 vs. 12.7 +/- 6.6 years, P = 0.97) were similar for men and women. More men were married (85% vs. 46%, P < 0.01). A smaller proportion of men were poor (39% vs. 65%, P < 0.01), believed in religion (49% vs. 70%, P = 0.01), and could speak no English (32% vs. 57%, P < 0.01). Fewer men used Chinese herbs to treat hypertension (4% vs.13%). Hypertension control was low for men and women (53% and 48%, P = 0.51). Adherence in men and women was 69% and 75% (P = 0.42) respectively. For men, shorter length of stay in the United States of America was negatively associated with non-adherence (OR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.57). No association between length of stay and non-adherence was found for women.


CONCLUSIONS
More research, including gender-specific studies, is needed to understand better how to develop an effective and culturally sensitive strategy to help older Chinese immigrants manage their hypertension.
Li
Wen-Wen
WW
Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA. wenwenli@yahoo.com
Wallhagen
Margaret I
MI
Froelicher
Erika S
ES
D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014481:United States
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents