Depression is associated with low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D among Jordanian adults: results from a national population survey.

Although low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) have been associated with depression in clinical settings, this link in community-dwelling individuals is inconclusive. The present study aimed at examining the association between serum 25(OH)D and PTH levels and the presence of depression in a national population-based household sample of 4,002 Jordanian participants aged ≥25 years. The DASS21 depression scale was used to screen for depression, and serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and PTH were measured by radioimmunoassay. Multiple logistic regression models were used to explore the association between serum 25(OH)D and PTH levels and depression. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) decreased linearly with increasing quartiles of serum 25(OH)D (P(trend) = 0.00). The OR for having depression was significantly higher among individuals in the first and second quartiles (OR = 1.4, 1.23, respectively) than among those in the fourth quartile (P values = 0.00 and 0.03, respectively). This relationship remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, marital status, education, BMI, serum creatinine, number of chronic diseases (OR = 1.39 and 1.21 and P values = 0.00 and 0.05, respectively) and after further adjustment for exercise, altitude, and smoking (OR = 1.48 and 1.24, respectively, and P values = 0.00 and 0.03, respectively). No significant association was found between serum PTH levels and depression. The decrease in risk of depression among participants started to be significant with serum 25(OH) D levels higher than 42.3 ng/ml (lower limit of the range of the third quartile). This value may help pinpoint the desirable level of serum 25(OH)D to be attained to help aid the prevention and treatment of depression.

Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control, and associated factors: results from a national survey, jordan.

The study examined prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension (HTN), and associated factors and to evaluate the trend in hypertension between 2009 (period 2) and 1994-1998 (period 1). A national sample of 4117 adults aged 25 years and older was selected. Prevalence rate of HTN (SBP ≥ 140 or DBP ≥ 90 or on antihypertensive therapy) was 32.3% and was higher than the 29.4% prevalence rate reported in period 1. Prevalence rate was significantly higher among males, older age groups, least educated, obese, and diabetics than their counterparts. The rate of awareness among hypertensives was 56.1% and was higher than the 38.8% rate reported form period 1 data. Awareness was positively associated with age, smoking, and diabetes for both men and women, and with level of education and body mass index for men. Rate of treatment for HTN among aware patients was 63.3% and was significantly higher than the 52.8% rate reported in period1. Control rate of HTN among treated hypertensives was 39.6%; significantly higher than the 27.9% control rate in period 1. Control of HTN was positively associated with age but only for women. In conclusion, HTN is still on the rise in Jordan, and levels of awareness and control are below the optimal levels.

Psychiatric disorders among adolescent Jordanian returnees from Kuwait during the 1991 Gulf War.

Adolescent Jordanian returnees from Kuwait during the 1991 Gulf War were expected to have elevated rates of psychiatric disorders, therefore their mental health status was examined. We evaluated 1376 newly enrolled students in two public universities in northern Jordan using an Arabic translation of the self-administered General Health Questionnaire. The overall rate of psychiatric disorders among the study sample was 23.3%; the rate among adolescent returnees (30.8%) was significantly higher than among other adolescents (22.4%). Although psychiatric disorders were generally common among Jordanian adolescents, the exposure of Jordanian children in Kuwait to the Gulf War was still detrimental to their mental health status as adolescents.

Psychiatric disorders among adolescent Jordanian returnees from Kuwait during the 1991 Gulf War

Adolescent Jordanian returnees from Kuwait during the 1991 Gulf War were expected to have elevated rates of psychiatric disorders, therefore their mental health status was examined. We evaluated 1376 newly enrolled students in two public universities in northern Jordan using an Arabic translation of the self-administered General Health Questionnaire. The overall rate of psychiatric disorders among the study sample was 23.3%; the rate among adolescent returnees [30.8%] was significantly higher than among other adolescents [22.4%]. Although psychiatric disorders were generally common among Jordanian adolescents, the exposure of Jordanian children in Kuwait to the Gulf War was still detrimental to their mental health status as adolescents

Prevalence, awareness and management of hypertension in a recently urbanised community, eastern Jordan.

The objectives of this study were to: (1) estimate the magnitude of hypertension, and its levels of awareness and control of hypertension among a recently urbanised community of Jordanian aborigines; and (2) to compare the study findings with findings from other Jordanian communities. A sample was randomly selected from the roster of all inhabitants of the community aged 25 years or older. Data on 545 subjects included in the sample were collected during the months of January and February of 1995. A total of 89 (16.3%) subjects were suffering hypertension defined as systolic blood pressure > or =160 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure > or =95 mm Hg or on antihypertensive medication. Prevalence rate of hypertension was comparable to that reported from other Jordanian communities who have experienced an urban lifestyle earlier than the reference community. Logistic regression analysis indicated that hypertension was positively associated with age, illiteracy, body mass index, family history of hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. No association was detected between hypertension and each of gender, smoking, and total serum cholesterol. This study showed that the vast majority of hypertensive patients (82.0%) were aware of their diagnosis. However, more than two-thirds (68.5%) of those aware of their diagnosis did not achieve control of their hypertension. In conclusion, hypertension is a common public health problem in this community and that the hypertension management programme is far below the optimal level.

Prevalence and associated factors of hypertension: results from a three community-based survey, Jordan.

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension, to determine its association with certain cardiovascular disease risk factors, and to evaluate level of hypertension awareness and control in an adult population in Jordan. The study used a cross-sectional population survey of a systematic sample of three communities. Data for the sample of 2299 adults, aged 25 years and older, were collected from September 1994 to September 1995. A total of 370 subjects or 16.1% were found to have hypertension. The prevalence rate was higher among women (17.1%) than men (14.4%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that hypertension was positively associated with gender, age, family history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and total serum cholesterol, but negatively associated with level of education. No association between hypertension and smoking was detected in this study. About one-half (48.6%) of hypertensives in this study were unaware of their diagnosis. Awareness of hypertension was positively associated with age and family history. More than one-third (36.5%) of those aware of their diagnosis did not achieve control of their hypertension. Hypertension appears to be a common public health problem in Jordan. Awareness and control of hypertension are far below optimal levels.