Publication Date

Spring 2016

Degree Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Tamara McKinnon

Second Advisor

Mercy Egbujor

Third Advisor

Carolyn Gandy

Keywords

Hypertension, Adherence, Nigerian immigrants

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the perceptions that affect medication adherence among hypertensive Nigerian immigrants in Sacramento, California. The research questions focused on factors that influenced the adherence to hypertension medication; specifically, how the sample population explained the cause of hypertension and whether culture and religion impacted the cause and management of hypertension. A phenomenological approach was used to understand perceptions about medication adherence. A predefined group of 9 acted as a purposive sample and was given semi-structured individual interviews. Qualitative data analysis of the interviews was performed using Colaizzi's 7-step method. Results from the study found the cause of hypertension was believed to be genetics, stress, and diet. Education was strongly cited as the reason for dispelling cultural beliefs toward hypertension cause and management of the illness. Reasons for nonadherence were linked mostly to forgetfulness and side effects of hypertensive medication on sexual performance in males. Participants reported that prayer did not affect medication adherence, but was used for psychological healing. Living in the United States was viewed as a both a positive and negative influence on the management of hypertension.

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