title: Enhancing adherence of antihypertensive regimens in hypertensive African-Americans: current and future prospects.
abstract: Patient adherence to antihypertensive medication is an important strategy for blood pressure control in hypertensive patients. However, rates of antihypertensive medication adherence among hypertensive African-Americans are unacceptably low. This article examines the current understanding of patient, clinical, provider and healthcare system factors associated with medication adherence in hypertensive African-Americans. Studies demonstrated that patient and clinical factors, such as self-efficacy and depression, are consistently associated with medication adherence in hypertensive African-Americans patients. Provider communication shows promise as a correlate of medication adherence, but more research on provider and healthcare system factors are still needed. The authors recommend that interventions targeted at increasing medication adherence among hypertensive African-Americans focus on self-efficacy. It is also imperative that clinicians screen hypertensive patients for depression and treat, if necessary.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4217, USA. lisml@nursing.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Chinwe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ogedegbe
authors.forename: Gbenga
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ogedegbe
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000208:ethnology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents