Fam Med. 1999 Oct; 31(9): 647-51.

Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and health care dilemmas in the Philadelphia Vietnamese community.

Pham TM, Rosenthal MP, Diamond JJ.

Department of Family Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, USA.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prior studies have shown low awareness of hypertension and cardiovascular disease and low health care utilization in the US Vietnamese community. This study assessed awareness and understanding of these chronic conditions, health care barriers, and cultural beliefs in the Philadelphia Vietnamese community. METHODS: This qualitative study analyzed data collected from focus groups, family interviews, and individual interviews of community members and health care providers during 1996 and 1997. RESULTS: Awareness of hypertension was higher than expected but low for heart disease. Understanding of the cause and primary prevention of these illnesses was low, as was health care utilization. Major barriers to receiving health care included problems with language, medical insurance, and transportation. Desired resources were interpreter services, increased medical insurance, translated educational materials, health education classes, and community health fairs. The community widely held the belief that Western medicine is "stronger, faster, and curative" while folk medicine is "weaker, slower, but preventive." CONCLUSIONS: The Vietnamese community appreciates the importance of hypertension and cardiovascular disease and believes that traditional, Western medicine is necessary for care but perceives significant barriers. Providing needed services and specific intervention programs could improve access and understanding, as well as enable health promotion, disease prevention, and appropriate care.