title: Perceived Barriers to and Facilitators of Hypertension Management among Underserved African American Older Adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To understand the perceived barriers to and facilitators of hypertension self-management among underserved African American older adults in a southeastern clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative descriptive.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urban cardiovascular health clinic in a southeastern state.
  
  
  METHODS
  28 African Americans diagnosed with hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interview questions were focused on knowledge of hypertension management and barriers and facilitators to hypertension self-management. Thematic content analysis was applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients reported increased hypertension knowledge after attending the clinic. All patients reported knowledge of the severe consequences of uncontrolled hypertension. Perceived barriers to hypertension management included lack of money, lack of motivation to exercise, and fear of injury from exercising. Perceived facilitators of hypertension management included weight loss, unexpected diagnosis of hypertension, family members with hypertension and diabetes, and social support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest that perceived barriers and facilitators influence a patient's decision to manage hypertension. Findings suggest the importance of health literacy and patient-provider communication at this particular clinic. Possible factors in the social environment may influence hypertension management. This study adds to the literature by understanding the perceived barriers to and facilitators of hypertension management of an underserved sample in a southeastern clinic. The results suggest a need for the redesign and transformation of future hypertension education strategies aimed at this clinic sample.
authors.affiliation: 1. Rural Health Research Institute, Georgia Southern University.
authors.forename: Marylen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rimando
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012648:Self Care; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: African Americans; Hypertension Management; Older Adults; Patient Education; Underserved