The Effects of Culture on Medication Adherence and Hypertension among Home-Care African Americans

Hypertension-related diseases are the leading cause of mortality and stroke among African Americans. To reduce the rate of nonadherence to antihypertensive medications among African Americans, it may be essential to integrate cultural health beliefs into educational interventions and physician–patient communication. Clinicians need to identify culturally appropriate interventions for this high-risk population, and using an evidence-based approach in action research will provide pragmatic actions that could potentially alter the trajectory of the disease in the community. As nonadherence to antihypertensive medications contributes to morbidity and mortality among hypertensive African Americans, researchers must explore the health beliefs known to influence nonadherence. The aim of this research was to explore the cultural aspects of medication adherence in terms of social, environmental, and contextual factors as they relate to African Americans to increase understanding of the complexities involved in medication adherence and its impact on hypertension among African Americans. The study included a sample of 12 participants (Six females and six males). Data collection involved face-to-face interviews and observation of the participants. The interview consisted of 14 open-ended questions, and the observations included six criteria (appearance, verbal interaction, physical behaviors and gestures, reaction to intrusion in personal space, movements, and demeanor and social standings). Data analysis involved using NVivo 11 qualitative analysis software to identify issues that increase understanding in terms of the factors affecting medication adherence among African Americans, such as cultural beliefs, family influences, behaviors, socioeconomic standing and environmental factors