Date of Award
Summer 2024
Document Type
DNP Executive Summary
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
Faculty Chair
Dr. Laura Barrow
Preceptor
Dr. Parthenia Oliver
Abstract
Background: African Americans have a high rate of hypertension, which varies by region. Additionally, African Americans struggle to understand the risks of uncontrolled high blood pressure and the necessity of medication adherence in lowering strokes, heart attacks, and quality of life.
Purpose: The project aims to implement a patient education program to improve medication adherence and blood pressure control for African American patients in a primary care setting.
Methods: Twenty African Americans ages 18–65 with hypertension (130/80 mm Hg or above) and six months of nonadherence participated in this project. The pre-, mid-, and post-questionnaires assessed medication adherence and blood pressure control over six weeks using the Hill-Bone High Blood Pressure Scale. The American Heart Association toolkit was used for hypertension education.
Results: The Wilcoxon-Signed Rank Test compared median responses to the Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale at the study’s midpoint and endpoint, indicating a notable shift in medication adherence or lifestyle. The Kruskal-Wallis test found no significant changes in systolic blood pressure readings following the intervention.
Conclusion: Though not statistically significant, the project was clinically significant in that improvement was noted in medication adherence. Several limitations must be considered, including a small sample size and a short duration of time.
Recommended Citation
James, Daphne, "Strengthening Medication Adherence in African Americans Diagnosed with Hypertension" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 123.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/etds_nursing/123
DNP Project Poster
James DNP Slide Presentation.pdf (1086 kB)
DNP Slide Presentation