title: Medication adherence and spiritual perspectives among african american older women with hypertension. A qualitative study.
abstract: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how African American older adults use spirituality to adhere to their antihypertensive medications. Data collection included in-depth individual interviews with 21 older African American women. Content analysis revealed five themes: The Lord Helps Those Who Help Themselves; Staying in the Lord for Guidance; God Is My Rock; Guardian Angels and Saints; and Brings Me Peace, Ease of Burdens, and Ability to Cope. Findings of this study suggest that spirituality is perceived as a positive resource that helps study participants adhere to their antihypertensive medication regimen. Possible faith-based interventions for nurses and other health care professionals to use with their patients are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Division of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-4217, USA. lisaml@nursing.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D029181:Spirituality; D001741:Black or African American
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents