Monica Jones

Abstract

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. Surveys indicate that one out of four Americans has high blood pressure. It occurs more often in men than women and is most common in African-American males. Despite the fact that there are constantly improving treatments available, many hypertensive patients are noncompliant with prescribed treatment plans. The focus of this descriptive study was to identify facilitators and barriers to compliance in hypertensive middle-aged African American adults. Pender's Health Promotion Model served as the theoretical framework. The research question guiding this study was as follows: What are the facilitators and barriers in regard to compliance in hypertensive middle- aged African-American adults? Utilizing convenience sampling, a questionnaire was presented to 50 middle-aged African-American adults who reside in the Delta area of a southeastern state. Data collected from the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as means, frequency, and percentages. Analysis of the data found 1 1 1 that 26% of the sample reported daily medication compliance. Thirty-one percent verified low-salt dietary modifications. Regular exercise was also confirmed by 56% of the participants. Subjects reported that the top two facilitators to hypertensive treatment compliance were adequate transportation to pick up medications and income or insurance to pay for medications, respectively. The two major barriers to hypertensive treatment compliance were "forgetting medication or not liking to take medication daily" and "not liking to exercise." The findings of this study indicated that respondents identified physical or external factors as the greatest facilitators to hypertensive treatment compliance. They also suggested that the primary barriers are internal or personal perceptions. Recommendations for further study include replication of this study with a larger sample size and more studies with a valid and reliable research tool as well as incorporation of teaching and learning strategies that effect compliance to medication treatment.

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

8-1-2003

Publication Number

27919854

First Advisor

Ann Kelley

Second Advisor

Melinda Rush

Document Type

Thesis

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