Develop a Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Education Package in Jordan: Using Participatory Action Research Approach to Create Ripple of Change

IInfant mortality is high in Jordan, a developing country in the Middle East, at 19 per 1000 live births. Most mortality risk factors are preventable. The SIDS incidence rate has also been extrapolated as 11.22 per 1000 live births [1]. This is much higher than the United State of America (USA), a developed country (0.54 per 1000 live births) [2]. Most of modifiable SIDS risk factors can be reduced by increasing knowledge, change behaviors and practices regarding SIDS risks and prevention measures. There has not been a major investment in educating Jordanians about SIDS. Heath care providers are identified as an effective group who can make a wide change by educating and advising families. They can deliver the information in workplaces to families visiting heath institutions, as well as to families met during regular daily life within their community. This study investigated the development of a Jordanian SIDS Infant Education Package (JSEP), implemented in a major hospital in North Jordan. The targeted group comprised a convenience sample of 103 nurses and midwives working /training in the maternal, childbirth and neonatal units at the King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) in Jordan. The feasibility of the developed JSEP was evaluated by conducting three focus groups

Blood lead level and correlation with pregnancy-associated anaemia

BackgroundThe most common reason that leads to anaemia is related to the reduction in certain trace elements such as Fe. However, it has been found that an elevation in some other heavy metals such as Pb could also lead to anaemia.AimsThis research aims to assess the Correlation between Pb blood levels and Fe, Haemoglobin levels during pregnancy among Jordanian women.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Northern area of Jordan. Venous blood samples collected from 167 pregnant women for the determination of haemoglobin (Hb), Fe and Pb levels of which 17 in the first trimester, 19 in second trimesters, 131 in third trimesters. Women were classified into two groups, the first group included cases with blood Pb Levels ≥10µg/dL (high blood Pb level group, n=118) and the second with blood Lead levels less than 10µg/dL (low blood Lead level group, n=49).Results About 71.4 per cent of women had anaemia (n=120; Hb>10.5g/dl) and 70.7 per cent of women had a high blood Pb level of ≥10µg/dL). Pb blood levels ranged from 6.45 to 28.0μg/dL. The mean (SD) of blood Pb level was 12.1 (4.1) µg/dL. The mean haemoglobin and Fe levels did not differ significantly between women with low and high levels of Pb. Blood Pb levels were not significantly correlated with haemoglobin levels (r=-0.025; P=0.747) nor with iron levels (r=0.099; P=0.241). After adjusting for important variables, Pb was not significantly associated with haemoglobin (P=0.223) and with iron (P=0.116).Conclusion The level of Pb in the blood of pregnant women has no any association with haemoglobin and Fe levels during pregnancy

Cross-cultural comparison of fertility specific quality of life in German, Hungarian and Jordanian couples attending a fertility center

Background: Only a few studies have reported cross-cultural comparisons regarding psychosocial consequences of infertility. Differences between societies with different cultural backgrounds were revealed and seemed to be based on the importance of pronatalism. Our aim was to measure cross-cultural differences in fertility specific quality of life of infertile couples in Germany, Hungary and Jordan who attend a fertility center in a cross-sectional study. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in one fertility clinic in Germany, in five fertility clinics in Hungary and in one fertility clinic in Jordan. Overall 750 couples (252 couples in Jordan, 246 couples in Germany and 252 couples in Hungary) attending the first medical infertility consultation were asked to fill out our questionnaire set. Fertility specific quality of life (FertiQoL) and sociodemographic differences were measured between couples from three countries. Results: Jordanian couples had the shortest relationship (5.8 ± 4.3 yrs.), though they reported the longest duration of child wish (4.2 ± 3.6 yrs.) and fertility treatments (3.0 ± 3.3 yrs.). The proportion of high education was considerably higher in Jordanian women and men (60 % and 66 %, respectively) compared to the other two samples. First, marked cross-country differences were obtained on Emotional, Mind/Body and Relational subscales of the FertiQoL, indicating that Jordanian couples reported poorer fertility-related quality of life than Germans and Hungarians (p < 0.001). After controlling for the sociodemographic and medical variables, a significant difference only in the Emotional domain was observed (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The study revealed only a few cultural based differences in fertility specific quality of life between the couples of the three countries. Thus, infertility counselors should pay attention to psychosocial problems rooted in individual sociocultural aspects of the infertile couple regardless of cultural stereotypes. Further studies should identify sociocultural factors within different subgroups of infertile patients instead of focusing different societies as a whole because intra-cultural psychosocial differences in experiencing infertility seem to be more important for the individual patient than intercultural differences

Knowledge and Practices of Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescent Schoolgirls in Jordanian Badia Region: A Field Study

&nbsp; Abstract &nbsp; Background: Normal menstrual cycle is associated with physiological and pathological changes throughout the girls&rsquo; lives. It involves physical changes in a girl&#39;s body designed to prepare her for pregnancy each month. Significant changes in a girl&rsquo;s life take place during adolescence and the onset of menstruation. Aims: The study aims to assess the level of knowledge and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent schoolgirls in the Jordanian Badia Region. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2022. The total number of participants was 550 from six schools for girls in the Badia region. Data was collected using a questionnaire that assessed knowledge and practices of the menstrual cycle. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency,&nbsp;percentage) and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to determine the predictors of the level of knowledge and practice of the menstrual cycle. Results: The adolescent schoolgirls have adequate level of knowledge, represented by a percentage of 65. Furthermore, the results show that the overall level of girls&rsquo; practices was at a poor level (58%), the highest score was for&rdquo;Schoolgirls should have a discussion with their mothers about menstruation and what to do during their periods&rdquo;, and the lowest score was for &ldquo;If she has to, she will have to change the pads at school&rdquo;. Moreover, age, mothers&rsquo; highest level of education, and family income were the predictors of safe knowledge and practices of the menstrual cycle. Conclusion: Overall, the adolescent schoolgirls are reasonably knowledgeable. Additionally, the girls&#39; overall level of practice was poor and menstrual hygiene knowledge and practices need to be improved. Therefore, health programs concerning knowledge and safe practices of menstrual cycles should be conducted in a school setting

The impact of an online educational program to reduce second-hand exposure to smoke among nonsmoking pregnant women; a hospital-based intervention study

Background: Second-hand smoke is recognized as a public health concern, especially for pregnant women. Objectives: To compare pregnant women's exposure and perceptions of SHS pre-and post-intervention. Materials and methods: The study was conducted with a sample of 32 pregnant women at a tertiary university hospital in Jordan. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, researchers asked women about their knowledge, attitude and behavior regarding prenatal exposure to smoke before and after an intervention that included motivation, communication, education and counselling by using a range of media. A cotinine test was conducted to measure levels in second-hand smokers. Results: The average maternal age was 30.88 ± 1.69 years; 68% were highly educated, 43% were employed, 37% reported not having sufficient income, and 62% did not attend for antenatal care on a regular basis. There was a significant increase in knowledge and awareness regarding second-hand smoking and its effect on pregnancy outcomes after the intervention. More than 90% of pregnant women supported a comprehensive policy in relation to smoking, and 33% of used to leave the room where others smoked. This percentage increased to 70% after the intervention. Cotinine level decreased after the intervention in 81% of cases. Conclusions: There is an increase in knowledge and awareness regarding second-hand smoking and its effects on pregnancy outcomes after implementation of an educational intervention

Misconceptions towards traditional medicine among infertile women in north Jordan

The study aimed to identify the misconceptions towards traditional medicine among infertile women in north Jordan. To achieve the objective of the study, the descriptive survey method was used. The study instrument (questionnaire) consisting of (14) items was distributed to a purposive sample of (162) women who attended the IVF at the King Abdullah University Hospital in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 10/4/2022-30/6/2022. The results showed that the total degree of misconceptions towards traditional medicine among infertile women scored a mean of (1.08), indicating a small degree from their point of view. The reason for turning to traditional medicine may sometimes be that traditional medicine is available and easy to obtain and free of chemicals. Also, traditional medicine is more economical in terms of money than modern official medicine. In addition, the results showed statistically significant differences in the misconceptions towards the treatment with traditional medicine among infertile women due to the age variable in favor of the age group 20-30 years. However, no statistical differences were found according to the variables of the educational level (high school and less, university) and place of residence (countryside, city, desert)

Predictive factors and adverse perinatal outcomes associated with maternal smoking status

Abstract To identify risk factors for smoking among pregnant women, and adverse perinatal outcomes among pregnant women. A case–control study of singleton full-term pregnant women who gave birth at a university hospital in Jordan in June 2020. Pregnant women were divided into three groups according to their smoking status, active, passive, and non-smokers. They were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire that included demographic data, current pregnancy history, and neonatal outcomes. Low-level maternal education, unemployment, secondary antenatal care, and having a smoking husband were identified as risk factors for smoke exposure among pregnant women. The risk for cesarean section was ninefold higher in nulliparous smoking women. Women with low family income, those who did not receive information about the hazards of smoking, unemployed passive smoking women, and multiparty raised the risk of neonatal intensive care unit admission among active smoking women. This risk increased in active and passive women with lower levels of education, and inactive smoking women with low family income by 25 times compared to women with a higher level of education. Smoking is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Appropriate preventive strategies should address modifiable risk factors for smoking during pregnancy

Effectiveness of Prophylactic Cervical Cerclage in Prolonging Higher-Order Multiple Pregnancies

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the value of prophylactic cervical cerclage in prolonging higher-order multiple pregnancies. Methods:This retrospective study included all women with higher-order multiple pregnancies beyond 24 gestational weeks treated at the King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid, Jordan, and King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between February 2014 and January 2015. Selected maternal characteristics and obstetric outcomes were compared between women who received prophylactic cervical cerclage and those who did not. Results: A total of 146 women with higher-order multiple pregnancies were included in the study; of these, 94 (64.4%) underwent a prophylactic cervical cerclageinsertion procedure and 52 (35.6%) women did not. No significant difference was found between the two groups with regards to maternal age, parity or number of fetuses. However, the mean gestational age at delivery was significantly higher for women without compared to those with prophylactic cervical cerclage (32.9 weeks versus 31.7 weeks) according to both univariate and multivariate analyses (P = 0.013 and 0.046, respectively). Additionally, 40.4% of women without and 14.9% of women with prophylactic cervical cerclage gave birth after 34 gestational weeks (P = 0.003). Conclusion: Overall, prophylactic cervical cerclage was not associated with prolongation of the pregnancy among women with higher-order multiple pregnancies in the current study