Wen-Wen Li1, Margaret I Wallhagen, Erika S Froelicher. 1. Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA. wenwenli@yahoo.com
Abstract
AIM: This paper is a report of a study to explore the relationship between demographic and cultural factors and antihypertensive medication adherence in older Chinese immigrants. BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a well-known controllable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases worldwide, but only 20-80% of patients who take antihypertensive medications adhere adequately to their treatment regimen. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2002 and 2003, with a convenience sample of 75 older men and 69 older women (n = 144, response rate 80%). Medication adherence was defined as > or =80% of the total score on the Morisky scale. FINDINGS: Age (75.2 +/- 5.7 vs. 75.9 +/- 7.0 years, P = 0.51) and length of stay in the United States of America (12.7 +/- 6.4 vs. 12.7 +/- 6.6 years, P = 0.97) were similar for men and women. More men were married (85% vs. 46%, P < 0.01). A smaller proportion of men were poor (39% vs. 65%, P < 0.01), believed in religion (49% vs. 70%, P = 0.01), and could speak no English (32% vs. 57%, P < 0.01). Fewer men used Chinese herbs to treat hypertension (4% vs.13%). Hypertension control was low for men and women (53% and 48%, P = 0.51). Adherence in men and women was 69% and 75% (P = 0.42) respectively. For men, shorter length of stay in the United States of America was negatively associated with non-adherence (OR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.57). No association between length of stay and non-adherence was found for women. CONCLUSION: More research, including gender-specific studies, is needed to understand better how to develop an effective and culturally sensitive strategy to help older Chinese immigrants manage their hypertension.
AIM: This paper is a report of a study to explore the relationship between demographic and cultural factors and antihypertensive medication adherence in older Chinese immigrants. BACKGROUND:Hypertension is a well-known controllable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases worldwide, but only 20-80% of patients who take antihypertensive medications adhere adequately to their treatment regimen. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2002 and 2003, with a convenience sample of 75 older men and 69 older women (n = 144, response rate 80%). Medication adherence was defined as > or =80% of the total score on the Morisky scale. FINDINGS: Age (75.2 +/- 5.7 vs. 75.9 +/- 7.0 years, P = 0.51) and length of stay in the United States of America (12.7 +/- 6.4 vs. 12.7 +/- 6.6 years, P = 0.97) were similar for men and women. More men were married (85% vs. 46%, P < 0.01). A smaller proportion of men were poor (39% vs. 65%, P < 0.01), believed in religion (49% vs. 70%, P = 0.01), and could speak no English (32% vs. 57%, P < 0.01). Fewer men used Chinese herbs to treat hypertension (4% vs.13%). Hypertension control was low for men and women (53% and 48%, P = 0.51). Adherence in men and women was 69% and 75% (P = 0.42) respectively. For men, shorter length of stay in the United States of America was negatively associated with non-adherence (OR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.57). No association between length of stay and non-adherence was found for women. CONCLUSION: More research, including gender-specific studies, is needed to understand better how to develop an effective and culturally sensitive strategy to help older Chinese immigrants manage their hypertension.
Authors: Jia-Rong Wu; Debra K Moser; Marla J De Jong; Mary Kay Rayens; Misook L Chung; Barbara Riegel; Terry A Lennie Journal: Am Heart J Date: 2008-12-24 Impact factor: 4.749