Esra Alkhasawneh

Depressive symptoms among Jordanian youth: Results of a national survey

This study examines level of depression and factors associated with depression among female and male youth in Jordan. The study uses data from a cross-sectional survey conducted among a national sample of 14–25xa0year old youth attending educational institutions in Jordan (Nxa0=xa08,129). On average, respondents reported frequently experiencing feelings of sadness (66xa0%), loss of joy (49xa0%) and loss of hope in living (43xa0%). Regression models demonstrated that higher levels of depressive symptoms were observed among females and among youth exposed to violence. Better parent–child relationships were associated with lower depression score. Among males depressive symptoms were associated with poor economic status, low assertiveness and a higher likelihood of alcohol use and smoking. There is a need for mental health prevention programs for youth in Jordan that enhance youth’s social and emotional skills, strengthen parent–child relationships, and reduce violence in school, home and in the community.

Predictors of routine episiotomy in primigravida women in Oman

PURPOSEnEpisiotomy is still the most common surgical procedure performed on women, despite the evidence against its routine use. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the practice and predictors of routine episiotomy on primigravidae in Oman.nnnMETHODSnDemographic data, reasons for and rate of performing routine episiotomies, and perceptions of 269 obstetricians, midwives and nurses from 11 hospitals in Oman regarding the procedure were recorded and analyzed.nnnRESULTSnThe rate of episiotomies was 66%. In terms of performing routine episiotomies (p<0.05): non-Omanis were 4.49 times more likely than Omanis; bachelors degree-holders were 2.26 more likely than diploma-holders; and regional hospitals were 2.36 times more likely than tertiary hospitals. The majority perceived episiotomies reduce spontaneous perineal tearing risk, reduce shoulder dystocia complications, and allow for easier suturing.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe rate of episiotomies was higher than other similar contexts. An urgent intervention is necessary to curb this excessive practice, and create a culture of evidence-based practice to deal with misleading perceptions.

Insight into Jordanian Thinking About HIV: Knowledge of Jordanian Men and Women About HIV Prevention

&NA; Research on HIV prevention programs for countries with large Muslim populations is scarce. HIV knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs were assessed in a convenience sample of 128 women and 88 men at two universities in Jordan with the goal of gaining insight into how to approach HIV risk behaviors. In general terms, 97% of participants had heard of AIDS and the majority understood the common methods of transmission. Misconceptions were common; most participants did not recognize condoms as an HIV prevention method. A sense of fatalism regarding the acquisition of HIV was common. In Jordan, challenges to HIV‐prevention interventions includes misconceptions about HIV transmission, gender‐related differences in the willingness to discuss sexual issues, and fatalism regarding the acquisition of HIV. Silence about sexual activity, particularly among women, was pervasive. Culturally tailored interventions are needed to decrease stigma and address gender inequalities that may contribute to increased risks of HIV in Jordan.

Risk factors of urinary incontinence in women: a literature review

The purpose of this literature review is to recapitulate the risk factors and predictors of urinary incontinence (UI) in women identified in different published studies, thereby filling such gap in knowledge. The review identified primary research papers published in peer-reviewed journals on risk factors and predictors of UI. The search strategy used for collecting the literature was done using PubMed, Google Scholar and CINAHL databases from 2002 to 2012. The full text articles were obtained as part of the second stage selection process, using the pre-agreed selection criteria. Twelve articles were identified, this includes four cross-sectional studies, five prospective cohort studies, two co-relational descriptive studies and one longitudinal study. Majority of these studies concluded that the major risk factors of UI are age, parity, body mass index (BMI), menopause, recurrent UTI, hysterectomy, number of abortions, foetal weight and the comorbid condition such as diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease. Health care providers need to educate women about the risk factors of UI and health-promoting actions to reduce the risk of UI. Researchers have to enhance primary prevention and promote strategies that help women alter and modify their lifestyle. Lifestyle modification such as healthy food habits, Kegels exercises and weight reduction ensures the general health promotion and relief from UI symptoms.

I Do Not Even Say "It" - a Mixed Methods Study on Breast Cancer Awareness of Omani Women.

BACKGROUNDnThe incidence of breast cancer is rising in Oman, and the disease is diagnosed at late stages, when treatment success is limited. Omani women might benefit from better awareness, so that breast cancer can be detected early and treated. This study was conducted to assess Omani womens levels of breast cancer awareness and early detection practice, and explore factors which might influence these levels.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnA mixed methods study was conducted in 2014, including a quantitative survey of 1,372 and a qualitative assessment of 19 Omani women, aged ≥20 years from five Omani governorates using convenient sampling. Demographic information and scores for awareness levels were used in a multivariate regression model to investigate factors associated with awareness. Thematic analysis and interpretive description were used to analyse the qualitative data.nnnRESULTSnThe overall means for early detection and general awareness scores were 0.58 (SD 0.24) and 0.46 (SD 0.21), respectively. General awareness was significantly associated with age, education, income and familiarity with cancer patients (<0.05), while early detection was significantly associated with age, marital status and education. A majority of women (59.5%) agreed with a belief in evil eye or envy as a risk factor for breast cancer. Women discussed various factors which may empower or inhibit awareness, including the cultural-religion-fatalistic system, personal-familial-environmental system, and healthcare-political-social system.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe overall low scores for awareness and early detection, and the survey of local beliefs highlight a severe necessity for a contextually-tailored breast cancer awareness intervention programme in Oman.

Rural Women's Awareness about Breast Cancer in Southeastern Iran: a Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUNDnBreast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. A very important factor in the timely treatment and prevention of progression is high breast cancer awareness. Rural women are at risk of latte stage breast cancer due to poor education and lack of access to medical facilities.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThis cross-sectional-descriptive study was conducted on 266 women (out of 300) aged over 18 in rural areas of Zabol, Southeastern Iran during July 2015 to October 2015. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire that measured participant knowledge of breast cancer in four aspects (general awareness, risk factors, mammography, and symptoms). SPSS 22 was used for statistical analysis.nnnRESULTSnOut of 266 participants, age information was available for 261. The age range was between 19 and 62, with a mean of 27±2.1 years. Most participants (154, 57.9%) had an average overall awareness of breast cancer. In the general awareness dimension, most participants (130, 48.9%) had poor scores. Most (166, 62.4%) also had average awareness about risk factors and many (137, 51.5%) had good awareness about mammography. Most participants did not know that changes in breast shape (232, 88.2%), dimpling of breast skin (192, 72.3%) and nipple discharge (183, 69.6%) are the main symptoms of breast cancer. ANOVA statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between awareness level and participant education and occupation (<0.05).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis study indicated average awareness of participants about breast cancer. Since rural women have lower levels of education, it is recommended that educational courses with contents about breast cancer, its risk factors, and symptoms be held for these women.

Development and validation of a culturally-tailored breast cancer health education programme for Arab women

OBJECTIVESnThis study aimed to develop and validate a health education programme to encourage breast cancer awareness and early detection behaviours among Arab women.nnnMETHODSnThis study took place between December 2015 and March 2016. The Enabling Systems Raising Awareness model was used to develop a breast cancer health education programme which was subsequently implemented by trained health educators at three female-only fitness clubs in Muscat, Oman. Breast cancer knowledge among 53 women was assessed using the breast module of the Cancer Awareness Measure before and after each health education session. Overall pre- and post-session knowledge scores were then compared. Additionally, three focus group discussions were conducted with 10 participants from each location. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcribed discussions and collect feedback on the programme.nnnRESULTSnThe health education sessions resulted in a statistically significant increase in overall mean knowledge scores (P <0.001). Participants also reported significantly improved intentions to undertake early detection practices (P <0.001). The focus group discussions yielded distinct themes and valuable feedback which can be utilised in the future to create an improved version of the programme.nnnCONCLUSIONnWhile the health education programme significantly improved breast cancer and early detection knowledge among a cohort of Arab women, it still required critical improvements in terms of structure and administration. Additional studies are required in order to evaluate long-term behavioural outcomes resulting from the improved programme.

Relationship Between Medication Adherence and Health Beliefs Among Patients with Hypertension in Oman : Pilot study

OBJECTIVESnThe prevalence of hypertension (HTN) in Oman is alarmingly high and patient adherence to antihypertensive medications is inadequate. This study aimed to assess the relationship between medication adherence and health beliefs among Omani patients with HTN.nnnMETHODSnThis descriptive cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in December 2015 and included 45 patients with HTN recruited from four primary health centres in Al Dakhiliyah and Muscat governorates, Oman. Medication adherence and health beliefs were assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS), Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the revised Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale.nnnRESULTSnThe mean MMAS score was 5.3 ± 2.0, with 48.9% of patients reporting high adherence. Higher self-efficacy and stronger beliefs regarding medication necessity were significantly related to adherence (P = 0.012 and 0.028, respectively).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe findings of this pilot study emphasise the role of health beliefs with regards to Omani patients adherence to antihypertensive medications.

WITHDRAWN: Students' perceived benefits of pre-clinical simulation based training (PSBT) on enhancing patient safety and clinical learning outcomes

The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2015.03.009. The duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.

Can Gestational Anemia be Alleviated with Increased Awareness of its Causes and Management Strategies? Implications for Health Care Services

ObjectivesnWe conducted this study to assess the risk factors of gestational anemia and evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally-tailored nutrition educational intervention on hemoglobin (Hb) status among pregnant Omani women. Newborn birthweight was used as a birth outcome.nnnMethodsnThe study was conducted in two phases. The first phase investigated the risk factors associated with gestational anemia in 206 Omani women who were 3 20 years old and had at least completed 12 weeks of gestation. A suitable sample was recruited at a tertiary teaching hospital in Muscat, Oman. Hb status was recorded, and backward linear regression was used to analyze the demographic and obstetric variables associated with Hb levels. In the second phase, a specially designed culturally-tailored nutrition educational intervention was delivered to women in the study group by trained research assistants whereas women in the control group received routine care only. The Hb levels of the pregnant women and birth weight of newborns after the intervention were evaluated in the second phase of the study.nnnResultsnThe prevalence of gestational anemia among 206 pregnant Omani women was 41.7%. A significant negative relationship was found between Hb and parity whereas a positive relationship was found between Hb and gestational age. The Hb level increased as the gestational age advanced (β = 0.31, p < 0.050) and decreased as the parity increased (β = -0.22, p < 0.050). The pre-post mean difference of Hb levels in the study group was 11.0 g/dL and in the control group was 10.7 g/dL. The difference between the pre- and post-test Hb levels for the study group was significant (t = 3.58, p = 0.001), indicating that the culturally-tailored nutrition education intervention was effective in improving the Hb level in pregnant Omani women. No significant difference was found between the study and control group with respect to birth outcomes.nnnConclusionnThe prevalence of gestational anemia is high in pregnant Omani women. The use of a specially designed culturally-tailored nutrition education intervention for pregnant women supplemented with follow-up reminders can reduce the occurrence of gestational anemia. Such programs are ultimately necessary in light of the high prevalence of gestational anemia in developing countries.