Cultural factors and medication compliance in Chinese immigrants who are taking antihypertensive medications: instrument development.

Chinese immigrants in the United States have a moderate to high prevalence of hypertension, but little is known about antihypertensive medication compliance in Chinese immigrants. This study presents some first-generation measures of antihypertensive medication compliance in a sample of Chinese immigrants. A literature review and two qualitative pilot studies were conducted to generate culturally sensitive instruments. Items were developed to assess cultural factors and medication compliance in Chinese immigrants receiving antihypertensive medications. Cultural factors included measures of cultural health perception of hypertension, health perceptions of Chinese herbs, health perceptions of Western medications, beneficial self-care behaviors, and social support. Four medication compliance scales were developed. The applicability of these scales was tested in a Chinese immigrant population (n=200). Cronbach's alpha for the cultural factors scales ranged from .57 to .91. Two of the medication compliance scales had Cronbach's alphas above .60. Results showed that most of the scales are applicable and acceptable in a Chinese immigrant population and had good reliability. However, further testing with a larger sample in other regions of the country is indicated.