Cultural Considerations in Hypertension Management: Chinese Americans

Here are some health and illness practices that may complicate hypertension treatment for Chinese-American clients:

• Dietary Practices: Traditional Chinese cuisine can be high in sodium (salt), a major contributor to hypertension.
• Limited English Proficiency: Language barriers can hinder communication with healthcare providers and understanding of treatment plans.
• Emphasis on Balance and Yin/Yang: Traditional Chinese medicine views health as a balance of yin and yang. Clients might be hesitant about medications perceived as disrupting this balance.
• Family Decision-Making: Healthcare decisions might involve the entire family, potentially leading to delays or resistance to treatment.
• Stigma of Mental Health: Hypertension can sometimes be associated with stress or emotional imbalance. Clients might be reluctant to discuss these aspects due to stigma surrounding mental health.

Locus of Control and Filipino-Americans:

Locus of control refers to the extent to which people believe they have control over their health. Filipino Americans may exhibit a spectrum of locus of control:

• External Locus of Control: Some Filipino Americans might believe their health is influenced by fate, luck, or external forces like supernatural beings. This can lead to delays in seeking medical help.
• Internal Locus of Control: Others might believe in personal responsibility for their health and actively seek professional medical care.

Culturally Competent Care: Understanding a client’s locus of control can help healthcare providers tailor communication and encourage self-management strategies.

Folk Medicine and Vietnamese Americans:

Folk medicine and folk healers (often called “Thuoc Ba Ba”) play a significant role in Vietnamese healthcare, particularly among immigrants. Here’s why:

• Familiarity and Trust: Folk medicine practices are often familiar and trusted within Vietnamese communities.
• Accessibility: Folk remedies might be readily available and affordable compared to Western medicine.
• Cultural Significance: Folk medicine is often intertwined with Vietnamese cultural beliefs and traditions.

Importance in Hypertension Management:

• Non-Disclosure: Clients might not disclose use of traditional remedies to their doctor, potentially leading to interactions and reduced medication effectiveness.
• Complementary or Alternative Therapy: Folk remedies can be explored as complementary or alternative therapies alongside conventional medicine, but with open communication with the healthcare provider.

Culturally Competent Care: Healthcare providers should inquire about folk medicine use and collaborate with patients to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.