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

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Women Toward Prenatal Genetic Testing

Objectives: We aim to address public knowledge, attitudes, and practices relative to prenatal genetic testing as a starting point for policy development in Jordan. Study design: We conducted a cross-sectional prenatal genetic testing knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey with 1111 women recruited at obstetrics and gynecology clinics nationwide. Data were analyzed using a variety of descriptive and inferential statistical tests. Results: The overwhelming majority (>94%) of participants considered prenatal genetic testing, particularly non-invasive prenatal genetic screening, procedures to be good, comfortable, and reasonable, even when the non-diagnostic nature of non-invasive prenatal genetic screening was explained. Likewise, 95% encouraged the implementation of non-invasive prenatal genetic screening within the Jordanian health system, but most preferred it to remain optional. However, women in higher-risk age brackets, in consanguineous marriages, and with less education were significantly less interested in learning about non-invasive prenatal genetic screening. Only 60% of women interviewed were satisfied with the services provided by their obstetric/gynecologist. The more satisfied the women were, the more they are likely to adapt non-invasive prenatal genetic screening. Conclusions: In sum, although the data support the receptivity of Jordanian women to national implementation of non-invasive prenatal genetic screening, such policies should be accompanied by health education to increase the genetic literacy of the population and to engage high-risk populations. Thus, this offers rare insight into the readiness of 1 particular Arab population to adapt non-invasive prenatal genetic screening technologies

Self‐medication among pregnant women attending outpatients' clinics in northern Jordan‐a cross‐sectional study

Abstract Self‐medication can facilitate patients’ access to medicinal products, save time, and reduce financial and health‐care service use burden. On the other hand, irresponsible use of self‐medications can result in adverse consequences. Self‐medication is common among different demographic groups including pregnant women. In general, medicinal products might have harmful effects on mothers and baby. This study aimed to assess self‐medication practices among pregnant women in the northern region of Jordan. A cross‐sectional study was conducted on pregnant women attending outpatient clinics in the northern region of Jordan. Self‐medication practices among the target population were assessed using a survey questionnaire that was administered through interviewer‐assisted mode. Data were collected between December 2019 and September 2020, and descriptive statistics and inferential analysis were applied. A total of 1,313 pregnant women were surveyed (response rate = 95.50%). Self‐medication and the use of herbal remedies were practiced by 33.10% and 32.14% of the participant, respectively. Headaches and general pains were the most frequently reported conditions treated by self‐medication practice with either conventional medicinal products or herbal remedies. The gravidity (≥4) and the gestational stage (≥28 weeks) were the predictors of self‐medication practice. This study showed that self‐medication was not widely practiced by pregnant women in the northern region of Jordan. Disease simplicity and previous history were the main motives for self‐medicating. Efforts should be made by health‐care providers to address pregnant women and educate them to increase their awareness about the unsafe use of medicines and the harmful effects on fetus