title: Acculturation, Health Literacy, and Illness Perceptions of Hypertension among Hispanic Adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hypertension treatment rates are disproportionately lower among Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic Blacks. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among acculturation, health literacy, and illness perceptions of hypertension among Hispanics.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional correlational design was used, including 144 Hispanic adults with a self-reported diagnosis of hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  The instruments used included the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics, the Newest Vital Sign instrument to measure health literacy, and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant relationships were found among acculturation, health literacy, and several illness perceptions (consequences, control, symptoms, and emotions).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acculturation and health literacy play an important role in illness perceptions of hypertension among Hispanics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings could be helpful in the development of tailored health promotion interventions to improve hypertension management among Hispanic adults.
authors.affiliation: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL, USA aperez@siue.edu.
authors.forename: Amelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000451:nursing; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016746:Transcultural Nursing; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hispanics; acculturation; health literacy; hypertension; illness perceptions