Learning Objective #1: State the prevalence rate of hypertension among Filipino Americans

Learning Objective #2: Identify the factors associated with the control of hypertension in Filipino Americans

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Purpose: This exploratory descriptive study elicited the experiences and perspectives of Filipino Americans with hypertension (HTN) to determine the factors involved in the management and control of their illness.

Background: Filipino-Americans have remained a “hidden minority” in the U.S., although they are the fastest growing Asian ethnic/cultural group. Data suggest that their prevalence rate of HTN closely approximate that of African Americans but few studies exist to provide information about the factors involved in controlling their illness.

Methods: Two separate focus groups of hypertensive men (n=10) and 2 separate focus groups of hypertensive women (n=17) were conducted. Each group (4-8 participants treated during the past 12 months), completed a sociodemographic form and A Short Acculturation Scale for Filipino Americans (ASASFA).

Using semi-structured questions, a female and a male moderator conducted the separate focus groups, respectively. Interviews were tape-recorded and the tapes were transcribed, coded and analyzed with questions serving as information categories. To ensure trustworthiness of this qualitative study, member checks, peer debriefing, and an audit trail were implemented

Results: The participants (N=27) were all born in the Philippines, with an average stay in the U.S. of 25 years. Their ages ranged from 42 to 73. Though they identified themselves as more Filipino than American, their total mean ASASFA scores indicated that they were becoming bicultural—equally a Filipino and an American.

Several factors involved in the control and management of their illness emerged during the interviews: (a) cultural folkways and patterns; (b) acculturative stress; (c) perceptions of the nature and cause of HTN, its treatment, and the facilitators and barriers to its control; (d) use of indigenous and alternative health practices alongside Western medicine; and (e) culturally competent health caregivers.

Conclusions: Cultural, personal, and health-related factors are involved in the control and management of HTN in diagnosed FAs.