Publication Date

2000

Degree Type

Master's Project

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Jean M. Sullivan

Second Advisor

Mahra Teikmanis

Abstract

Little is known about health care beliefs and practices among Vietnamese elderly persons living in the United States. In general, studies of patient compliance with medical advice consistently demonstrate a high level of noncompliance. Not following recommendations can have serious negative consequences in the management of disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate compliance among a group of elderly Vietnamese clients with the plan given to them by their physicians for control of hypertension. Because the literature reports a high correlation between income and level of education with compliance in other groups, these factors were also studied as they related to this Vietnamese group. Thirty participants were surveyed with a Self-Reporting Adherence Scale (SRAS) questionnaire, to determine their compliance. A descriptive correlational study was done to determine the relationship between income and education regarding compliance to a plan to control hypertension in Vietnamese clients 65 years and older. The participants were selected from a convenience sample of senior Vietnamese men and women. The mean for compliance on the SRAS questionnaire showed a high level of compliance reflected as "most of the time" or four out of five with five being high on the Likert scale. There was also a positive statistical relationship found between both income and educational level with compliance using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. Suggestions were recommended for future research.

Share

COinS