Quantitative analysis of stress and cholesterol levels in university teachers and housewives of hyderabad-Pakistan

ABSTRACT

To evaluate environmental, psychological and physiological stresses in university teachers and housewives and correlate it with serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Eighty females from middle socioeconomic groups [40 university teachers and 40 housewives] aged between 30-45 years were selected for this study. All subjects were selected from Hyderabad and its adjoining areas. Environmental, psychological and physiological stress levels were measured using Likert scale. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were measured by CHOD-PAP method and triglyceride levels were measured by GPO method. Housewives had high levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride but low levels of HDL cholesterol than the university teachers. Environmental, psychological and physiological stresses were also significantly high in housewives as compared to university teachers. High levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride and low levels of HDL cholesterol in housewives correlated to their stressful lifestyle