Health perception and adherence with blood pressure control among rural Chinese adults with hypertension

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine associations among blood pressure, personal and illness characteristics, illness perception and medication and self-management adherence among adults with hypertension in rural mainland China. Background: Despite the high prevalence of hypertension in China, the control rate is only 20%. Identifying factors associated with blood pressure control is critical. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: Data were collected from 163 hypertensive adults in two rural villages in mainland China. Measures included a demographic questionnaire, the Chinese Illness-Perception Questionnaire-Revised, Medication Adherence Inventory and the Inventory of Adherence to Self-management. Height, weight, and blood pressure were also measured using standard approaches. Hierarchical linear regression was used to assess the association between blood pressure and significant variables identified in bivariate analysis. Findings: The mean systolic pressure observed in this sample was 147 mmHg and the diastolic mean was 81 mmHg. None of the variables analysed were associated with systolic blood pressure. Gender, age, and household annual income were associated with diastolic blood pressure, explaining 23% of the variance in the regression model. Illness coherence contributed an additional 2%. Conclusion: These findings suggest: (a) healthcare providers should focus on educating rural hypertensive adults about healthful diets and behaviours to manage hypertension, especially for those with high household income; (b) knowledge-based health education alone is not adequate; (c) illness perception may not be directly associated with blood pressure; and (d) the Chinese Illness-Perception Questionnaire-Revised and the Inventory of Adherence to Self-management require validation and potential revision for use with rural Chinese populations.