Culturally Education on Blood Pressure Medication Adherence in Haitian Patients - Essay Example

Statement of the Problem

Hypertension is considered the most prevalent cause of mortality in Haiti. The country has very substandard comparable results and unique problems linked to the high pervasiveness of stroke, kidney failure, and heart disease, which are the adverse prognostic outcomes of uncontrolled blood pressure (Jean-Charles, 2014). Hypertension's global burden is increasing, and the low- and middle-income countries, including Haiti, shouldered about 80 percent of Hypertension attributable disease (Baptiste et al., 2018). Hypertension rate is the highest in Haitians immigrants when comparing to African-Americans and they are least likely to have their hypertension treated (Park & Jang, 2015). Sanon et al. (2015) concurred that the rate of high blood pressure on Haitian women is the highest compared to African-American women and are more likely to develop chronic high blood pressure. Therefore, the effort to contain the disease among Haitian patients has been very challenging. Various factors have consequently led to the escalated prevalence of high blood pressure, including poor adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medication, patients' cultural beliefs and spiritual choices, and inadequate access to health care (Tymejczyk et al., 2019). Therefore, health care providers must be well-aware of the causative' risk factors of high blood pressure in this population group and cultural practices contributing to the high incidence of Hypertension in Haitians. Studies have suggested that culturally appropriate education on antihypertensive medication could enhance patients' adherence to the antihypertensive drug ((Beune et al., 2014; Meinema et al., 2017). Nevertheless, the need for more research is acknowledged by these researchers. Thus, this study explores the specific effect of culturally appropriate education on medication adherence in hypertension management among Haitian hypertensive patients. This alleviates the Haitian patients from the adverse effects of Hypertension to foster their life (Sirutis et al., 2019).

Background

indeed, Hypertension is higher in Haitians compared to whites or other African –Americans. According to Baptiste et al. (2018), Hypertension has become a major cause of renal and cardiac diseases globally. Haiti was formally regarded as the most prosperous French colony due to its agricultural land (Baptiste et al., 2018). The country produces large quantities of fruits, grains, and vegetables. Many of these products can be used as an element of a dietary approach to stop Hypertension due to their high potassium, fiber, and grains.

Additionally, Haitians normally walk for long distances like 10 km per day on average to minimize transportation costs. Therefore, exercise is a routine in Haiti. Given the fresh produce and daily practice scenario, it is expected that Haitians would have less Hypertension (Baptiste et al., 2018). The reality is that there is a high prevalence of Hypertension. This is because Haitians consume excessive amounts of salts. The Haitians consume to nearly 30 to 35g of sodium In their diet.

Due to higher morbidity of Hypertension, it is paramount to have a formal class. There is a need to adhere to the well-established standards of American society in the education programs, according to (Sirutis et al., 2019). There is a burden of Hypertension has the psychological and fiscal wellbeing of the nation. Adherence to the anti-hypertension medication minimizes with age ((Beune et al., 2014). Given that time is an irreversible factor in a mission to stop the ailment, there is a need to emphasize improving medication adherence to decrease obesity ((Beune et al., 2014). Additionally, improved awareness of hypertension disease is paramount to the lives of many people. In Haiti, the high knowledge about patients related determinants of treatment is essential in improving the required treatment.

There are numerous hemodynamic and psychological determinants of the prevalence of Hypertension among the Haitians. Although there has been speculation on the etiology differences, there is no single unique cause of Hypertension that can be identified to explain the high prevalence (Tymejczyk et al., 2019). Obesity is a major contributor to Hypertension. The association is considered to be due to an increase in leptin and renal medullary factors that lead to an increased lymphatic nervous system—according to (Meinema et al., 2017), leading to elevated blood pressure that can increase cardiovascular risk. The research has also indicated that obese Haitian have a higher rate of sodium retention compared to whites.

Psychological studies indicate that the prevalence of salt among African Americans is 50%, whereas the whites have only 40% (Tymejczyk et al., 2019). The cultural education on adherence to medication remains an essential feature in Hypertension's treatment (Meinema et al., 2017). The cultural knowledge that involves diet has indicated efficacy in minimizing the blood pressure. According to (Tymejczyk et al., 2019), the combination diet reduced BP by 13.2/ 6.1mmHg among black Americans.

Indeed, culture influences hypertension patients' maintenance to maintain their B.p and adherence to medication regimens. In the words of Baptiste et al. (2018), nurses and other healthcare providers need to be prepared to offer culturally sensitive education regarding Hypertension when interacting with patients. Baptiste et al. (2018) indicate that the Haitians have illness beliefs and practices making them be at a higher risk for other diseases associated with low income, negative health behaviors, and primary care.

Markedly, the providers should be mindful that Haitians with low socioeconomic backgrounds have risk factors, including alcohol, tobacco, and other chronic diseases like obesity. Haitians mainly concentrate on survival needs like food, safety, and shelter(Park & Jang, 2015). Besides, medication adherence is imperative, but the Haitians often fail to comply with the treatment regimen due to the disease's absence of knowledge (Jean-Charles, 2014). Medication may also be too expensive. Conversely, healthcare providers lack cultural competence and sensitivity in evaluating African Americans' cultural health beliefs.

In practice, culturally and linguistically, intervention programs lead to medication adherence (Jean-Charles, 2014). The programs that can be implemented include weight loss programs, nutritional classes, and exercise to motivate patients' healthy behaviors (Park & Jang, 2015). The healthcare may also suggest prayers that may assist in minimizing fears, decreasing emotional and physical fears.

If medical professionals have a clear understating of the Haitians culture, this population's need may be met, and medication adherence may increase. Indeed, culture plays a crucial role in patients’ health behaviors. Dr. Elijah Saunders pioneered her quest to advance health equity to control and prevent hypertension disease. Saunders also offered insights on important insights to inform clinical and public health practice (Jean-Charles, 2014). The time has come for improved efforts in providing global leadership in rigorously designed interventional studies that point to optimal prevention. The cultural education has remained a strategic plan in implementation research, training as well as education.

Given Hypertension's reach and magnitude, it is essential to have an intensified effort at the population level. The management of B.p can continue to strengthen the team efforts (Jean-Charles, 2014). A more innovative and thinking on culture creates solutions for controlling Hypertension. The culturally dated patient’s adherence involves lifestyle recommendations among Haitians (Park & Jang, 2015). The intervention on lifestyle healthcare has significant medication adherence. The medication health beliefs are indicated to be one of the salient features leading to poor adherence among the Haitians (Park & Jang, 2015). The patients who evaluate medication as harmful and non-effective have a lower endorsement that the medicines needed to manage Hypertension (Park & Jang, 2015). Cultural adherence education increases trust in healthcare providers through culturally sensitive interactions.