Maternal Anemia in Rural Jordan: Room for Improvement

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to estimate the prevalence and determine factors associated with anemia among pregnant women in rural Jordan. A cohort of 700 pregnant women from a National Health Service hospital and ten health centers completed a questionnaire. Of the total, 243 (34.7%) had anemia. The prevalence was the highest for women in their 3rd trimester (42.5%) compared to those in 2nd trimester (32.7%) and 1st trimester (18.9%). Gestational age, body mass index, history of previous surgery, and multivitamin intake during pregnancy were significantly associated with anemia. Women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters had higher odds of anemia (OR = 2.2 and 3.3, resp.). Underweight women had higher odds of anemia (OR = 2.9). History of previous surgery and multivitamin intake during pregnancy were associated with higher odds of anemia (OR = 1.6 and 1.9, resp.)

Seeking consultation for urinary incontinence:Behaviours and barriers among Jordanian women

INTRODUCTION: The rates of seeking consultation for urinary incontinence (UI) and the barriers against consultations vary among countries and study populations and are influenced by various factors such as embarrassment, perception of illness, resources and culture.OBJECTIVES: To study healthcare-seeking behaviours and barriers among Jordanian women.METHODS: Between 1 March 2020 and 15 April 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey among women 18 years of age or more who have UI and have access to the internet. We collected women's characteristics, UI types, severity, bother, seeking consultation behaviours and barriers. Logistic regression analyses were used to study the variables associated with seeking consultation.RESULTS: The data of 1454 women with a mean age (SD) of 41.5 (11.5) years were analysed. Mixed UI was the most common type (56.3%), while 43.8% of the participants sought consultation, and 33.8% waited 1 year before seeking consultation. The most common barriers were embarrassment (52.2%), considering UI as a normal occurrence with ageing (41.5%), and limited expectations of improvement from treatment (42.0%). The most common barriers vary according to UI type. Embarrassment was the most commonly reported barrier by women with mixed UI (29.4%), UI as normal with ageing was mostly considered by women with stress UI (11.5%) and treatment for UI is going to be expensive was expressed by women with mixed UI (19.4%). Seeking consultation decreased among women with more educational achievement (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44-0.87) with university graduates doing so less than women with high school or less educational achievement. Additionally, seeking consultation was more among women who were aware of a family member with UI (aOR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.03-2.01) compared to women who were not. Also, multiparous women (aOR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.19-2.77) sought consultation more than nulliparous women. Seeking a consultation was more among women who were bothered by the impact of UI on various daily activities, namely, household activities (aOR: 1.42; 95% CI: 0.85-2.37), prayers (aOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.07-2.71) and sex life (aOR: 2.48; 95% CI: 1.45-4.21) compared to women who were not bothered. Seeking a consultation was less among women who reported embarrassment as a barrier (aOR: 0.534; 95% CI: 0.34-0.84) compared to women who were not embarrassed.CONCLUSION: Four in 10 women with UI sought care, but with a considerable delay between the onset of symptoms and actual care seeking. These outcomes could be explained by the impact of various barriers. Additionally, barriers might vary in different cultures and countries, so culture-sensitive questionnaires should be considered when healthcare-seeking consultations and barriers are studied.</p

Conception Preferences during COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns

Background: The COVID-19 lockdowns imposed new challenges to couples who were planning to conceive. In this research paper, we aimed to study the perceptions of women in Jordan during the pandemic regarding fertility behavior, the desire to use assisted reproductive technology (ART) and the awareness and beliefs of potential risks related to conception. Methods: A validated online-based questionnaire was distributed to women from April–May 2020, Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical software SPSS version 22 and R software (2020); p values ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The total number of participants was 814 women, with 78.2% of the participants (58.7% fertile and 76.6% infertile) believing that pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic could be risky. Among them, 16% and 40%, respectively, were trying to conceive during the pandemic, and 97.4% and 89.9%, respectively, were not willing to use ART if needed during the pandemic. Young, nulliparous women who were married for less than one year were significantly associated with the desire to conceive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: This study concluded that the fertility behavior of women in Jordan changed during the pandemic, and their desire for natural conception and for using ART declined, as they believed that there were potential risks related to conceiving during the pandemic. However, the effect was greater among the general fertile population than the infertile

Is age of menarche related to urinary symptoms in young Jordanian girls? A prospective cross-sectional study

الملخص: أهداف البحث: هناك ارتفاع في معدل انتشارسلس البول، خصوصا عند السيدات، في جميع أنحاء العالم. افترضت هذه الدراسة أن العمر عند بداية الحيض، كنقطة نمو، قد يكون عامل خطورة لحدوث سلس البول. طرق البحث: أجريت هذه الدراسة المستقبلية المستعرضة على الفتيات اللاتي حضرن إلى العيادة الخارجية للأمراض النسائية في مستشفى الملك عبد الله الجامعي، في الأردن خلال العام ٢٠١٣-٢٠١٤. وقد تم جمع التاريخ الطبي والبيانات الديموغرافية، وتم دراسة الصلة بين بداية الحيض والمشاكل البولية. النتائج: تضمنت الدراسة ٣٦٠ فتاة (متوسط العمر: ١٧.٦± ٤.٠١ عاما). وأفادت ١٠١ مشاركة (٢٨.٩٪) أنهن يعانين من الحاجة الملحة للتبول؛ و٢٣ (٦.٦٪) من سلس البول؛ و١٧ (٤.٩٪) منهن استخدمن الفوط البولية في الليل؛ و٢٣ (٦.٦٪) لديهن عدوى بولية متكررة؛ وتلقى ٦١ (١٢.٣٪) علاجا لسلس البول، و٤٣ (١٢.٣٪) تم علاجهن لالتهابات المسالك البولية. كما تم تسجيل كثرة التبول أثناء الليل بشكل ملحوظ في الفتيات الأصغر سنا عند دورتهن الأولى. وارتبطت مشاكل البول الأخرى أثناء الحيض مثل الحاجة الملحة للتبول بشكل كبير بزيادة العمر عند الدورة الأولى. الاستنتاجات: يمثل العمر عند بداية الحيض مؤشرا خطرا مهما لنشوء سلس البول لاحقا عند النساء. Abstract: Objectives: Urinary incontinence (UI) is highly prevalent worldwide, especially in women. This study hypothesized that the age of menarche, a developmental landmark, may be a risk factor for the development of UI. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on girls presenting to the gynaecology outpatient clinic at King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan, from 2013 to 2014. Medical history and demographic data were collected, and associations between age of menarche and urinary problems were examined. Results: The study enrolled 360 girls (mean age 17.60 ± 4.01 years). Of the participants, 101 (28.9%) reported experiencing urgency in urination, 23 (6.6%) had UI, 17 (4.9%) reported using urine pads at night, 23 (6.6%) had recurrent urinary infections, 61 (12.3%) had received treatment for UI, and 43 (12.3%) had been treated for urinary infections. Nocturia was significantly more frequently reported in younger girls at their first period (p = 0.02). Other urinary problems during menstruation, such as urge incontinence, were significantly associated with older age at first period (p = 0.05). Conclusion: Age of menarche represents an important risk indicator for later development of UI in women. الكلمات المفتاحية: سلس البول, العمر عند بداية الحيض, سلس البول الليلي, الحيض, Keywords: Age of menarche, Menstruation, Nocturnal enuresis, Urinary incontinenc

Distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups among pregnant women attending the obstetrics and gynecology clinic at the Jordan University Hospital

Abstract The ABO and D antigen status of red blood cells (Rh blood grouping systems) are important hematological classification systems that categorize blood groups according to the presence or absence of certain erythrocytic antigens. These antigens affect the outcomes of blood transfusions as well as various hematological and immunological diseases. We aimed to study ABO and Rh blood group distribution among pregnant women visiting the antenatal care clinic at Jordan University Hospital (JUH) in Amman, Jordan. A retrospective analysis of all pregnant women delivering at the Jordan University Hospital (JUH) between October 1, 2016, and September 31, 2021. ABO and D antigen status of red blood cells (Rh blood groups) were summarized and documented. 20,136 pregnant women data were analyzed, the O blood group was the most prevalent (n = 7840, 38.9%), followed by A (n = 7506, 37.3%). For the D antigen status, the Rh-positive (Rh+) category was the most common (n = 18,159, 90.2%). For the (O) blood group; O-Rh+ type was the most prevalent (90.1%). Determining the blood group type accurately helps eliminate the critical consequences of both ABO and Rh incompatibility and offers clinicians an opportunity to take timely prophylactic measures. In our analyses O and Rh+ blood groups were the most prevalent

Is there a relationship between children's behaviour and food cravings during pregnancy?

الملخص: أهداف البحث: الشغف للطعام هو ظاهرة معروفة أثناء الحمل وذلك بسبب المتطلبات الغذائية للنمو الأمثل للجنين. هذه الآلية تلعب دورا حيويا في ضمان التطور الطبيعي قبل وبعد الولادة. تهدف هذه الدراسة لتقييم ما إذا كان شغف الطعام يرتبط بسلوك الطفل. طرق البحث: أجريت دراسة استرجاعية في وحدة العيادات الخارجية النسائية في مستشفى محلي على سيدات أصحاء غير- حوامل، لديهن أطفال أعمارهم بين ١٨ شهرا إلى ٥ سنوات. وأكملت السيدات المؤهلات استبانة بخصوص سلوكيات أطفالهن وخبرتهن في الرغبة الشديدة للطعام خلال حملهن. استخدمت اختبارات مربع- كاي لاختبار العلاقة بين الرغبة الشديدة للطعام والسلوك. النتائج: تم إشراك ٣٣٦ سيدة في هذه الدراسة (معدل عمر الأطفال = ٤٤.١١ ± ١٥.٦٥ شهرا؛ ٥٥.٧٪ إناث). مرَّ بتجربة الرغبة الشديدة للطعام ٨٣.١٪ (عدد = ٣٦٦⁄٣٠٤) من المشتركات. كانت الفواكه هي الأكثر شيوعا من الأطعمة المرغوبة (عدد =١١٢؛ ٣٣.٣٪). وتضمنت الرغبات الشديدة الأخرى البسكويتات المالحة (عدد= ٤٠؛ ١٠.٩٪)، والحلويات (عدد =٣٥؛ ٩.٦٪)، واللحوم (عدد =٣٢؛ ٨.٧٪) والخضروات (عدد= ٢٩؛ ٧.٩٪). كما كان هناك قضايا سلوكية مختلفة للأطفال: دائما (أكثر من ٥٠٪ من الأوقات)، بعض الأحيان (١٠-٥٠٪ من الأوقات)، ولا شيء. الاستنتاجات: أظهرت تحليلاتنا أن معظم المشكلات السلوكية لم ترتبط بشغف الطعام أثناء الحمل. يحتاج الأطباء إلى استكشاف الإتجاهات المستقبلية من حيث كيفية تأثير الغذاء ونمو الجنين على القضايا السلوكية لدى الأطفال. Abstract: Objectives: Food craving is a well-known phenomenon during pregnancy that is driven by nutritional requirements for optimal foetal development. This mechanism plays a vital role in ensuring normal prenatal and postnatal development. The goal of the present study is to assess whether cravings experienced during pregnancy are related to children's behaviour. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the gynaecology outpatient unit of a local hospital on healthy non-pregnant women, with children aged between 18 months and 5 years. Eligible women completed a questionnaire regarding their child's behaviours and cravings experienced during their pregnancy. Chi-square tests were used to examine relationships between cravings and behaviour. Results: A total of 336 women were included in the study (child mean age = 44.11 ± 15.65 months; 55.7% females). Food cravings were experienced by 83.1% (n = 304/366) of the participants. The most commonly reported food craving was for fruit (n = 112, 33.3%). Other cravings included salty crackers (n = 40, 10.9%), sweets (n = 35, 9.6%), meat (n = 32, 8.7%), and vegetables (n = 29, 7.9%). There was variation in frequency of the children's behavioural problems: always (more than 50% of the occasions), sometimes (10–50% of the occasions), and none. Conclusions: Our analyses showed that most behavioural issues were not associated with cravings during pregnancy. Further investigation into how diet and foetal development may impact childhood behaviour is warranted. الكلمات المفتاحية: سلوك الطفل, الحمل؛ شغف الطعام, نمو الطفل, غذاء, Keywords: Child behaviour, Diet, Foetal development, Food cravings, Pregnanc