This study was conducted with the aim of finding the prevalence rate of hypertension and the relationship between hypertension and selected socioeconomic and dietary parameters in females aged 15-49 years in a disadvantaged community in Jordan. A household survey was carried out, using a questionnaire as an instrument for interviewing subjects. About 19% of females had hypertension, ranging between 7.5% in the very young to 58% in women aged 45-49 years. Hypertension was significantly associated with almost all variables studied such as age, education, marital status, parity, obesity, and dietary patterns. Some strategies were suggested to improve the situation in the future.

Background: Hubble-Bubble smoking is a common smoking practice and spreading fast among young adults even in western countries. People think it is less toxic than cigarette smoking. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of oxidative stress markers and antioxidants in the blood of Hubble-Bubble (smokers compared to controls as a sign of toxicity, since disease process is caused by abnormal antioxidant capacity. Methods: Blood samples were collected by authorized personnel from recruited healthy volunteers (28 habitual Hubble-Bubble smokers and 18 nonsmokers). The levels of oxidative stress markers (Malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl) and antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) and lipids were measured. Results: Protein carbonyl level in HB smokers’ group (2.58 mmol/gm of protein) was significantly higher than in control group (2.58 ±0.8 vs. 2.04 ±0.8 mmol/gm of protein). While CAT level in HB smokers’ group was significantly lower than the control group (22545.4±504 vs 24772.0±344.6 mU/ml). Also, a clear difference for GPx level was found between study groups (1091.6±122 vs. 3144.9± 409mU/ml). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding the SOD and MDA levels as well as the lipids concentration. Conclusions: HB smoking is associated with increased levels of carbonyl proteins and decreased levels of catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in the plasma, which might contribute to the several adverse health effects associated with HB smoking.

Smoking produces adverse effects on lipid profile and homocysteine, thus increasing the cardiovascular disease risk in coronary heart disease patients. The present study was undertaken to evaluate plasma lipid profile, lipoprotein (a) and homocysteine in coronary heart disease of smoker male and female patients in two age groups; below and above 50 years old, comparing them with nonsmokers healthy matched control. Triglyceride plasma level (291.33 ±101 mg/dl , mean ± SD, P value=0.01) was elevated significantly in smoking coronary heart disease males less than 50 years old as compared to controls, while cholesterol (233.54 ±44.9 mg/dl, P value= 0.02), LDL-cholesterol (174 ±58.3 mg/dl, P value=0.09) , lipoprotein (a)-Lp(a) (65.06 ±25.2 mg/dl, P value=0.05), and triglycerides (188.18 ±62.0 mg/dl, P value=0.01) are significantly increased in males more than 50 years old. No lipid profile parameter was significantly elevated in smoking coronary heart disease female less than 50 years old, while only homocysteine (28.83 ±5.7 mg/dl, P value= 0.02) was elevated significantly in females more than 50 years. In conclusion, smoking affects lipid profile and homocysteine and increases the cardiovascular disease risk among smokers.