Correlation between Personality Traits, Learning Approaches and Academic Performance of Dental Students

The present study investigated the correlation between personality traits of dental students and their approaches to learning. Aims were to examine the influence of both measures on the academic achievement of dental students, and to provide recommendations for educators. Personality traits of final year dental students were determined using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. These students were also asked to complete Bigg’s revised two-factor version of the study process questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) and provide their grade point average (GPA). The de-identified data were analysed using zero-order correlation, Student t- test and a multiple regression procedures. Of the 170 students who volunteered, a total of 115 (67.6%) students showed deep approach (DA) to learning. Moreover, a significant positive relation between GPA and DA was found, whereas negative relation between GPA and surface learning approach (SA) was reported. Two of the five personality traits, namely conscientiousness and openness were positively related to deep learning approaches. Conscientiousness and DA were the best predictors of GPA. Results from zero-order correlation also revealed that openness significantly predicted deep learning approach and GPA. On the contrary, neuroticism was positively related to surface learning approach and negatively related to GPA. Neuroticism was significantly higher in female students

Dental anxiety among university students and its correlation with their field of study

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the subjective ratings of dental anxiety levels among university students enrolled at Jordan University of Science and Technology. In addition, the present study aimed to explore the sources of dental anxiety and the impact of gender on the perceived dental anxiety and the correlation between field of study and dental anxiety level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Modified Corah Dental Anxiety Scale was used to measure dental anxiety among the study population. Six hundred subjects were recruited into the study from Jordanian undergraduate students from the faculties of Medicine, Engineering, and Dentistry. RESULTS: Five hundred and thirty five complete questionnaires were returned, which accounts for a response rate of 89.2%. The totals of the mean anxiety scores were the following: Medical students, 13.58%; Engineering students, 13.27% and dental students, 11.22%. About 32% of the study population has scored 15 or more. Dental students had the lowest percentage of those who scored 15 or more. Surprisingly, the medical students were responsible for the highest percentage of those who scored 15 or above. Although women demonstrated statistically higher total dental anxiety scores than men (p= 0.03), the difference between both genders was small and could be clinically insignificant. The students were anxious mostly about tooth drilling and local anesthetic injection. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of adequate dental health education may result in a high level of dental anxiety among non-dental university students in Jordan. Further studies are required to identify the correlates of dental anxiety among university students

Factors affecting granting of credit facilities in commercial banks in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority- Jordan

This study came to check the factors affecting the credit facilities with banks' branches in Aqaba, through the following variables: customer borrowers, credit policies, central administration of the loans and the environmental conditions of the local economy. The study showed that all the factors were important for credit facilities through the replied of study sample.                                The most important recommendation of the study that the management should consider the following as important factor of issuing the loan: the primary and detailed feasibility studies, incentives for everyone who contributes in the collection of loans, Customer's financial reputation and Design different studies in the future with different variables. Key words: Credit facilities, Commercial banks, Bank client, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority

The Reality of Empowerment Women Leaders in Druze Schools within the Green Line and Its Relationship to their Job Performance واقع التّمكين القياديّ النّسويّ للمرؤوسين في المدارس الدرزية داخل الخطّ الأخضر وعلاقته بالأداء الوظيفيّ لديهم

Abstract: The study aimed to diagnose the reality of women leadership empowerment of subordinates in Druze schools within the Green Line and its relationship to their job performance, and to findout the factors that influence this. To achieve the aims of the study and to answer its questions, a correlational descriptive, survey methodology was used, using the questionnaire that was distributed to the study sample consisting of (290) individuals who were chosen in a simple random way represented by the study population. The results showed that the level of women leadership empowerment of subordinates came to a large degree too, and that the level of their job performance came to a large degree. In addition, the results showed a positive statistical significant correlation between the level of women leadership empowerment of subordinates, and their job performance in the Druze schools within the Green Line. Further to the results of the study, the study recommended that women leaders become encouraged to use the areas of administrative empowerment that is reflected positively in the level of job performance of subordinates. ملخص: هدفت الدراسة إلى تشخيص واقع التمكين القيادي النسوي للمرؤوسين في المدارس الدرزية داخل الخط الأخضر وعلاقته بالأداء الوظيفي لديهم، ومعرفة العوامل المؤثرة في ذلك. لتحقيق أهداف الدراسة، وللإجابة عن أسئلتها تم استخدام المنهج الوصفي المسحي الارتباطي، باستعمال الاستبانة التي تم توزيعها على عينة الدراسة المكونة من (290) فرداً تم اختيارهم بالطريقة العشوائية البسيطة ممثلة لمجتمع الدراسة. أظهرت النتائج أن مستوى التمكين القيادي النسوي للمرؤوسين جاء بدرجة كبيرة، وأن مستوى الأداء الوظيفي لديهم جاء بدرجة كبيرة، كما أظهرت النتائج وجود علاقة موجبة ذات دلالة إحصائية بين مستوى التمكين القيادي النسوي للمرؤوسين والأداء الوظيفي لديهم في المدارس الدرزية داخل الخط الأخضر، مما يدل على أنه بزيادة التمكين القيادي النسوي يزداد الأداء الوظيفي لدى المرؤوسين. وفي ضوء ما توصلت إليه الدراسة من نتائج، أوصت بتشجيع القيادات النسوية على استخدام مجالات التمكين الإداري (تفويض السلطة، واتخاذ القرارات، الاتصال، والنمو المهني والتحفيز) الذي ينعكس بصوره إيجابيه على مستوى الأداء الوظيفي للمرؤوسين

Factors affecting medical students in formulating their specialty preferences in Jordan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In recent years there has been a growing appreciation of the issues of career preference in medicine as it may affect student learning and academic performance. However, no such studies have been undertaken in medical schools in Jordan. Therefore, we carried out this study to investigate the career preferences of medical students at Jordan University of Science and Technology and determine factors that might influence their career decisions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was carried out among second, fourth and sixth year medical students at the Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan during the academic year 2006/2007. A total of 440 students answered the questionnaire which covered demographic characteristics, specialty preferences, and the factors that influenced these career preferences. Possible influences were selected on the basis of a literature review and discussions with groups of medical students and physicians. Students were asked to consider 14 specialty options and select the most preferred career preference.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The most preferred specialty expressed by male students was surgery, followed by internal medicine and orthopaedics, while the specialty most preferred by female students was obstetrics and gynaecology, followed by pediatrics and surgery. Students showed little interest in orthopedics, ophthalmology, and dermatology. While 3.1% of females expressed interest in anesthesiology, no male students did. Other specialties were less attractive to most students.</p> <p>Intellectual content of the specialty and the individual's competencies were the most influential on their preference of specialty. Other influential factors were the "reputation of the specialty", "anticipated income", and "focus on urgent care".</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynaecology were the most preferred specialty preferences of medical students at Jordan University of Science and Technology.</p

Apnea of prematurity: from cause to treatment

Apnea of prematurity (AOP) is a common problem affecting premature infants, likely secondary to a “physiologic” immaturity of respiratory control that may be exacerbated by neonatal disease. These include altered ventilatory responses to hypoxia, hypercapnia, and altered sleep states, while the roles of gastroesophageal reflux and anemia remain controversial. Standard clinical management of the obstructive subtype of AOP includes prone positioning and continuous positive or nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation to prevent pharyngeal collapse and alveolar atelectasis, while methylxanthine therapy is a mainstay of treatment of central apnea by stimulating the central nervous system and respiratory muscle function. Other therapies, including kangaroo care, red blood cell transfusions, and CO2 inhalation, require further study. The physiology and pathophysiology behind AOP are discussed, including the laryngeal chemoreflex and sensitivity to inhibitory neurotransmitters, as are the mechanisms by which different therapies may work and the potential long-term neurodevelopmental consequences of AOP and its treatment

Evidence for perinatal and child health care guidelines in crisis settings: can Cochrane help?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is important that healthcare provided in crisis settings is based on the best available research evidence. We reviewed guidelines for child and perinatal health care in crisis situations to determine whether they were based on research evidence, whether Cochrane systematic reviews were available in the clinical areas addressed by these guidelines and whether summaries of these reviews were provided in Evidence Aid.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Broad internet searches were undertaken to identify relevant guidelines. Guidelines were appraised using AGREE and the clinical areas that were relevant to perinatal or child health were extracted. We searched The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews to identify potentially relevant reviews. For each review we determined how many trials were included, and how many were conducted in resource-limited settings.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Six guidelines met selection criteria. None of the included guidelines were clearly based on research evidence. 198 Cochrane reviews were potentially relevant to the guidelines. These reviews predominantly addressed nutrient supplementation, breastfeeding, malaria, maternal hypertension, premature labour and prevention of HIV transmission. Most reviews included studies from developing settings. However for large portions of the guidelines, particularly health services delivery, there were no relevant reviews. Only 18 (9.1%) reviews have summaries in Evidence Aid.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We did not identify any evidence-based guidelines for perinatal and child health care in disaster settings. We found many Cochrane reviews that could contribute to the evidence-base supporting future guidelines. However there are important issues to be addressed in terms of the relevance of the available reviews and increasing the number of reviews addressing health care delivery.</p

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030