Faisal H. Aboul-Enein

Does shisha smoking affect blood pressure and heart rate

AimThe aim of this investigation was to explore the correlation of shisha smoking with blood pressure and heart rate values.Subjects and methodsThis is a randomized cross-sectional epidemiological study involving a total of 14,310 adults selected from various regions of Jordan. Well-trained pharmacy students interviewed participants in outpatient settings. The frequencies of water-pipe-smoking males and females in the sample were 21.11% and 10.27%, respectively. Measures of blood pressure and heart rate values were carried out in outpatient settings. For each participant, the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were measured three times with 10–15-min intervals in the sitting position and at the resting state. The arterial blood pressure (ABP) was calculated from the measured SBP and DBP.ResultsSmokers had significantly higher blood pressure and heart rate values than non-smokers. Both smokers and non-smokers with a positive family history of hypertension had significantly higher values of blood pressure than those with a negative family history.ConclusionA significant elevation of blood pressure and heart rate was observed among shisha smokers. Current cigarette smoking associated with frequent water pipe smoking resulted in greater elevation in blood pressure measurements among both types of tobacco smokers.

Public awareness of the abuse of herbs and drugs to decrease body weight: a novel national survey in Jordan

ObjectivesThe aim of this investigation was to measure the degree of public preferences regarding the various weight-loss practices and to assess the level of awareness regarding the risks and health hazards associated with the application of unhealthful measures to lose weight.MethodsApproximately 30,000 individuals selected from various regions in Jordan filled in a self−reported questionnaire. Participants were interviewed by well–trained senior pharmacy students and were asked to report their response to various aspects regarding body weight-loss practices.ResultsOf the respondents, 74.55% agreed that dietary restriction is the major intervention to lose weight. A modest majority of respondents (39.09%) believed that nervousness and irritability are serious drawbacks for uncontrolled administration of the hormone thyroxine. The highest percentage of responding females (67.12%) reported diarrhea as a major adverse effect to laxative abuse.DiscussionThe availability and the number of adverse events associated with herbal and dietary supplements to lose weight are on the rise. Obese patients should consider realistic expectations and be encouraged to follow healthy lifestyle interventions. Health care professionals are best suited to educate obese patients about unhealthy practices like laxative and diuretic abuse.

Dark chocolate and blood pressure: a novel study from Jordan.

AIM The goal of this study was to assess the effect of dark chocolate intake on cardiovascular parameters like blood pressure and heart rate values in a normotensive population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS This is a randomized cross-sectional study involving a total of 14,310 adults that were selected from various regions of Jordan. Well-trained pharmacy students interviewed participants in the outpatient settings. Participants reported their weekly intake of dark chocolate that has been further classified into mild (1-2 bars/week), moderate (3-4 bars/week), and high intake ( > 4 bars/week). For each participant, the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate were measured three times with (10-15) minute intervals in the sitting position and the resting state. The arterial blood pressure (ABP) was calculated from the measured SBP and DBP values. RESULTS All measured blood pressure values were significantly decreased for participants who reported higher dark chocolate consumption. Our results showed that heart rate values were not affected by variable intake of dark chocolate. In addition, increasing dark chocolate intake was associated with a significant decrease of blood pressure values in participants irrespective of the family history of hypertension or the age of the individual. However, heart rate values were unaffected. CONCLUSION Higher intake of dark chocolate can be associated with lower values of blood pressure, while its effect on heart rate values was not consistent.

Pilot study: awareness of university students in Jordan of the positive health effects of garlic

BackgroundOne of the most popular herbal remedies, garlic, is used for its many medicinal applications. These historically valuable applications could be summarized by its cardiovascular, antineoplastic, and antimicrobial properties. However, public knowledge of the health benefits of taking garlic is much better known than the adverse events that may result when garlic interacts with other medications.AimThis study aims to investigate the public’s knowledge in Jordan regarding garlic’s healthy effects as well as the possibly undesired interactions with Western-style medications that may occur.MethodThis cross-sectional randomized study investigated participants’ knowledge regarding the healthy effects of garlic. Selected individuals of the sample were interviewed by 117 well-trained senior pharmacy students (4th and 5th year students). Each individual was asked to fill out a questionnaire on his/her knowledge of the beneficial effects of garlic on health and its serious drug interactions. The interviewer checked the completed form and counseled the participant on the questions which were not known or answered incorrectly.ResultsParticipants were found to be very aware of the healthy effects of garlic. However, a smaller percentage (19–30%) of them knew it could have significant interactions with some medications.ConclusionPublic awareness in Jordan of the beneficial healthy effects of garlic is better than the awareness of its serious interactions with some drugs.

Perception and knowledge of a common skin disorder among university students in Jordan

BackgroundPsoriasis is one of the most common dermatological diseases. Improving public awareness of the different aspects of psoriasis is important to improve the overall knowledge about the disease and enhance public attitude towards sufferers. A sample consisting primarily of university students was undertaken to understand public perception of this disease.AimsThe objective of this investigation is to assess the level of public awareness of various aspects of psoriasis including possible risk factors, affected body areas, best persons to manage the disease, and other issues.MethodsSelected individuals of the sample were interviewed by well-trained senior pharmacy students. Each individual was asked to fill in a questionnaire consisting of six sections on his/her knowledge of various aspects of psoriasis.ResultsOf the respondents, 63.8% agreed that psoriasis makes patients’ lives uncomfortable. One third of participants believed that the exact etiology of the disease is still unclear. A positive family history for psoriasis was selected by the highest percentage of respondents as a triggering factor for the disease and the scalp was selected as the major body site affected by psoriatic lesions. Differences in public attitude toward sufferers were detected when results were analyzed according to sample gender, age, nature of job, educational level, and ethnicity. A dermatologist was selected by a clear majority of participants as the best person to treat psoriasis.ConclusionIt can be concluded that a high degree of public awareness of psoriasis exists among different ethnicities in Jordan. However, community education is needed to improve the population’s knowledge regarding the nature of psoriasis, important risk factors, and the best source of health services. This paper illuminates a perceptual gap between what people think they understand of this disease and the scientific literature.