title: Explanatory models of hypertension among Nigerian patients at a University Teaching Hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To elicit the explanatory models (EM) of hypertension among patients in a hospital-based primary care practice in Nigeria. Design. Semi-structured in-depth individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with 62 hypertensive patients. Interviews and focus groups were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was guided by phenomenology and content analysis using qualitative research software ATLAS.ti 5.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients expressed four categories of EM of hypertension: (1) perceptions of hypertension, (2) consequences, (3) effect on daily life, and (4) perception of treatment. Focus group discussions and individual interviews yielded a wide range of insights into the social and cultural factors influencing patients' beliefs and health behavior. Participants were aware of the risks of hypertension. There was disagreement between participants' own understanding of the serious nature of hypertension, the need for long-term treatment, and the desire to take long-term medication. Participants acknowledged the use of traditional medicine (e.g., teas and herbs) and healers. Different themes emerged for men versus women such that women often focused on family issues while men tended to discuss external stressors stemming from work as a cause of hypertension. Men were concerned with frequent urination, decreased libido, and erectile dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge gained will inform development of patient-centered treatment plans and targeted behavioral and educational interventions.
authors.affiliation: Global Health Sciences, Prevention Public Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. kelly.taylor@ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Kelly D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Ayoade
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adedokun
authors.forename: Olugbenga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Awobusuyi
authors.forename: Peju
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adeniran
authors.forename: Elochukwu
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Onyia
authors.forename: Gbenga
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ogedegbe
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000523:psychology*; D055809:Illness Behavior; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011320:Primary Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications