Date of Degree

12-2017

Document Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Program

Nursing

Advisor

Dianne Lavin

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to improve hypertension (HTN) treatment adherence among limited English proficient Hispanic patients with uncontrolled HTN. Limited English Proficiency (LEP) significantly reduces HTN control among Hispanics by diminishing their understanding of HTN diagnosis, treatment adherence, and complications. A language sensitive education session focusing on antihypertensive medications, reduced sodium intake, and appointment keeping was implemented among LEP Hispanic patients 21 to 85 years of age, with uncontrolled HTN, receiving care at a federally funded south San Antonio clinic. The Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale was utilized to measure adherence in the following domains: medication, low sodium diet, and appointment keeping. At the end of the project, 30 patients completed the intervention. Baseline characteristics were similar for the group. After 10 weeks, HTN control improved by 7%, the mean systolic blood pressure decreased by 5.44 mmHg, and mean diastolic blood pressure decreased by 2.57 mmHg. Results of paired t-tests showed statistical significance between pre and post intervention scores for medication adherence (M = 6.47, SD = 4.20, t (29) = 8.45, p < .05), low sodium diet adherence (M = 3.60, SD = 2.47, t (29) = 7.98, p < .05), and appointment keeping adherence (M = 2.50, SD = 1.72, t (29) = 7.98, p < .05). The intervention led to significant improvements in HTN control among LEP Hispanic patients, supporting the need for language sensitive patient education in the clinical setting.

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