<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Treatment and control of hy­pertension (HTN) is a challenging issue as undiagnosed HTN prevalence seems to be high among certain ethnic groups, such as African-descendant populations. The current study attempted to measure HTN preva­lence, awareness and control levels among Ghawarna, an African-descendant ethnic group living in the Jordan Valley (Al-Ghawr).</p><p><strong>Design, Setting and Participants: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted in a com­munity of Ghawarna between March and June 2013 in Ghawr Al-Mazraa Village in the southern part of the Jordan Valley. A total of 517 participants, aged &gt;25 years, were randomly selected using cluster random sampling technique.</p><p><strong>Main Measures: </strong>Data were collected using an interviewer-administrated questionnaire and on-location measurement of blood pressure (BP), height, and weight. Prevalence rates were compared by sex and age groups using chi-square test while backward selec­tion logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of HTN.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found 229 (44.3%) of the 517 participants had HTN. Of those 229 hypertensives, 146 (28.2%) participants were discovered to have HTN for the “first time.” Only 23 of the 83 who were aware of their hypertension had their BP controlled. When we added the undiagnosed HTN (<em>n</em>=146) to the uncontrolled HTN (<em>n</em>=60), the preva­lence of uncontrolled HTN became 90% (206/229). Older age, higher BMI, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia were associated with having HTN.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HTN prevalence, awareness and control levels are alarming among Gha­warna. <em>Ethn Dis</em>. 2015;25(3):321-328.</p>

Timing and frequency of the dosing (daily vs weekly) have no effect on the rise in serum 25(OH)D levels as long as the accumulative dose of cholecalciferol is similar. Cholecalciferol 50 000 IU bimonthly is required to maintain sufficient 25(OH)D levels.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Amnisure test in detecting premature rupture of fetal membranes in comparison with other clinical methods.Methods: A group of 154 pregnant ladies between 20-42weeks gestational age presented to our department with a history or a complain of PPROM. They underwent clinical examination (pooling from cervix, ferning test, nitrazine test, two out of three at least and ultrasound assessment for AFI) by the first examiner, after that patients were examined by Amnisure by a second examiner, all examiners were blinded to the results of each other. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values were all calculated.Results: Sample size was 153patients, mean age was 26.6years (SD 6.8) and the mean gestational age was 35.6 week (SD4.7), of those patients 79 were less than 37 complete weeks (53%) and 70 were more than 37complete weeks (47%), 91patients had positive Amnisure test at 1st evaluation (60.7%), while patients with positive 1st clinical evaluation consists of 75(50%). Patients with the diagnosis of definite ROM made after delivery were 113 (75%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the Amnisure test were found to be 93.6%, 75%, 80.2%, 91.5%, while they were 65.5%, 89.2%, 94.9% and 45.8% for clinical examination alone. Conclusion:This study could support the evidence that Amnisure test performed to detect rupture of fetal membranes is an accurate, easy to perform and quick test.