title: Antihypertensive medication adherence among elderly Chinese Americans.
abstract: This study explored the level of antihypertensive medication adherence and examined certain demographic attributes and influential factors in relation to antihypertensive medication nonadherence among Chinese American elders using a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Findings revealed that 52% of the elderly Chinese Americans adhered to their antihypertensive medications. Gender, education, years of residency in the United States, years of diagnosed hypertension, and perceived safety of taking antihypertensive medications did not contribute to the differences in medication adherence. Forgetfulness, medication adverse effects, language difficulties, and cultural barriers were the influential factors that hinder antihypertensive medication adherence. Developing effective and culturally appropriate strategies for Chinese American elders is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System, San Jose, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Ya-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Chia-Ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Mercy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wey
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001213:Asian; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000208:ethnology*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents