Optimal effect of medical treatment requires patients' adherence to those treatments, which plays a even greater role than the medical decision made by physicians. With the epidemiological dynamic evolving, chronic disease becomes the major burden of healthcare, such as AIDS, hypertension, COPD, tuberculosis, asthma, epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression and diabetes, which make the adherence especially medication adherence a sightworthy issue because the risk of poor adherence with the complexity and duration of treatment with both of them are inherent to chronic diseases. Among patients with hypertension, medication nonadherence contributes to poorly controlled blood pressure as an significant yet unrecognized role. With the mediator of negative outcomes of further development of vascular disorders, including stroke, heart failure, renal insufficiency and coronary diseases, medication nonadherence to antihypertensives become the root of all devil in terms of healthcare. In terms of healthcare utilization, it costs approximately 396 to 792 million dollars per year and creates a significant burden. Effect factors for medication nonadherence among hypertension patients include knowledge about hypertension, beliefs about hypertension, perceived beliefs about medication, inadequate self-management behaviors, physician-patient relationship, social support and healthcare policy. The achievements of current single level interventions are not satisfactory, therefore multiple level interventions are calling for attention.Everyone in the healthcare system are responsible to alter the situation. A comprehensive healthcare system that consummates all the effect factors is the effective and efficient solution. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1999. / Running title: Cognitive representations of hypertension. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1999. / Running title: Cognitive representations of hypertension. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Washington State University, August 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

This study examined the difference among 3 patient education intervention strategies and compliance in the hypertensive elderly. The strategies were verbal instructions, written instructions and both verbal and written instructions. An ex post facto descriptive design was implemented based on a Cognitive Information Processing Theory of Learning. Forty subjects were recruited and interviewed. Data analysis revealed that compliance did not differ significantly with the type of educational strategy.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

Dissertation / The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge of persons with hypertension in a selected geographical area regarding cardiovascular risk factors in order to make recommendations for patient education. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive study was done in the form of a survey using a questionnaire as measuring instrument. The population was hypertensive patients from selected private medical practices in the western part of KwaZulu-Natal and the bordering eastern part of the Free State. Convenience sampling was used and 46 respondents participated in the study. Only 16 (35%) of the respondents achieved a percentage on or above the competency indicator of 50%. Respondents performed worst in questions where definitions, for example hypertension, were assessed. Recommendations for a patient education document, nursing practice and further research were made. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

Dissertation / The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge of persons with hypertension in a selected geographical area regarding cardiovascular risk factors in order to make recommendations for patient education. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive study was done in the form of a survey using a questionnaire as measuring instrument. The population was hypertensive patients from selected private medical practices in the western part of KwaZulu-Natal and the bordering eastern part of the Free State. Convenience sampling was used and 46 respondents participated in the study. Only 16 (35%) of the respondents achieved a percentage on or above the competency indicator of 50%. Respondents performed worst in questions where definitions, for example hypertension, were assessed. Recommendations for a patient education document, nursing practice and further research were made. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)