title: The illness beliefs, perceptions, and practices of Filipino Americans with hypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe the illness beliefs, perceptions, and practices of Filipino Americans (FAs) with hypertension (HTN) to reveal their explanatory models (EMs) of the illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Audiotapes and transcripts of focus group interviews and observational notes were subjected to content analysis. Medical records and related empirical studies provided supporting data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, the EMs of FAs with HTN correspond to the biomedical model in relation to causes, consequences, and treatment of HTN. However, in spite of this biomedical knowledge, FAs with HTN have difficulty maintaining the required lifestyle changes and adhering to the medication regimen to control their illness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important for NPs to assess the EMs of FAs with HTN, including their use of traditional folk remedies and practitioners of folk medicine. The challenge is to provide cardiovascular health promotion and education in a culturally sensitive, congruent, and tailored manner to FAs with HTN to help them control their illness.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California 91702, USA. fdelacruz@apu.edu
authors.forename: Felicitas A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: dela Cruz
authors.forename: Carmen B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Galang
mesh_terms: D001213:Asian / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002140:California; D015984:Causality; D054521:Cultural Competency; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010679:Philippines / Q000208:ethnology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires