Factors influencing medication compliance among hypertensive older African American adults.

OBJECTIVE The purpose was to gain an indepth understanding of the factors influencing hypertension medication compliance among hypertensive older African Americans. DESIGN Qualitative descriptive. In depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 28 patients. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by the Colaizzi-style method. SETTING Patients at a cardiovascular clinic in the Southeast. PATIENTS 28 African American males and females aged > or = 55 with controlled and uncontrolled hypertension were recruited and interviewed. RESULTS Stroke Heart Attack and Prevention Program (SHAPP) patients reported self-efficacy, patient-provider communication, and social support contributed to their hypertension regimen compliance. Patients reported higher self-efficacy contributed to their hypertension control. Patients also reported that open communication with the SHAPP nurses and social support from their family, friends, and coworkers provided emotional support, information and guidance to assist them in being compliant with their hypertension management regimen. CONCLUSIONS Our results can inform SHAPP providers and staff about patients' hypertension medication compliance, can improve patient-provider communication in other SHAPP clinics, and can aid in future patient hypertension management. Our results also suggest the importance of self-efficacy, patient-provider communication, and social support in hypertension regimen compliance.