Perceived Barriers to and Facilitators of Hypertension Management among Underserved African American Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the perceived barriers to and facilitators of hypertension self-management among underserved African American older adults in a southeastern clinic.

DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive.

SETTING: Urban cardiovascular health clinic in a southeastern state.

PARTICIPANTS: 28 African Americans diagnosed with hypertension.

METHODS: Interview questions were focused on knowledge of hypertension management and barriers and facilitators to hypertension self-management. Thematic content analysis was applied.

RESULTS: Patients reported increased hypertension knowledge after attending the clinic. All patients reported knowledge of the severe consequences of uncontrolled hypertension. Perceived barriers to hypertension management included lack of money, lack of motivation to exercise, and fear of injury from exercising. Perceived facilitators of hypertension management included weight loss, unexpected diagnosis of hypertension, family members with hypertension and diabetes, and social support.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that perceived barriers and facilitators influence a patient's decision to manage hypertension. Findings suggest the importance of health literacy and patient-provider communication at this particular clinic. Possible factors in the social environment may influence hypertension management. This study adds to the literature by understanding the perceived barriers to and facilitators of hypertension management of an underserved sample in a southeastern clinic. The results suggest a need for the redesign and transformation of future hypertension education strategies aimed at this clinic sample.