Perceived Social Standing, Medication Nonadherence, and Systolic Blood Pressure in the Rural South.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Little is known about how perceived social standing versus traditional socioeconomic characteristics influence medication adherence and blood pressure (BP) among African American and white patients with hypertension in the rural southeastern United States.

Methods

Perceived social standing, socioeconomic characteristics, self-reported antihypertensive medication adherence, and BP were measured at baseline in a cohort of rural African American and white patients (n = 495) with uncontrolled hypertension attending primary care practices. Multivariate models examined the relationship of perceived social standing and socioeconomic indicators with medication adherence and systolic BP.

Findings

Medication nonadherence was reported by 40% of patients. Younger age [β =

SUBMITTER: Cummings DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5019540 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature