Insaf Shaban

Barriers to developing midwifery as a primary health-care strategy: A Jordanian study

AIM To identify the current barriers to developing midwifery as a primary health-care strategy in Jordan and to explore the strategies to overcome these barriers. DESIGN An exploratory design using an action research approach was undertaken. Workshop discussion groups and reflection were used to collect the data. A thematic approach was taken for the analysis. PARTICIPANTS Data were collected from a convenience sample of 64 midwives and educators who attended workshops. FINDINGS The professional identity and image for midwifery has been confused within a medically dominated health system and has not been seen as a primary health strategy. Midwives are not able to practice to the full role and scope of the midwife. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Key issues identified need to be addressed before midwifery can be part of a primary health-care strategy in Jordan.

Evaluating the Experience of Jordanian Women With Maternity Care Services

Evaluation of womens experiences about the care they receive during childbirth is important to assess the quality of maternity services. We explored the experiences of Jordanian women to examine whether they were satisfied with their childbirth experiences. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 460 women after giving birth. A content analysis was conducted on the qualitative data. Four themes were identified that represented the womens poor experiences of care during childbirth, including seeing childbirth as a dehumanized experience, feeling that childbirth was processed technologically, a lack of human support, and being in an inappropriate childbirth environment. The findings of this study may help policymakers to provide quality care to women during childbirth.

Development and Validation of Women’s Satisfaction With Hospital-Based Intrapartum Care Scale in Jordan

Background: Measuring satisfaction with care during labor is an important way to improve maternity services for women. This study was undertaken to develop an instrument to measure women’s satisfaction with intrapartum hospital-based care. Method: A multidimensional instrument was initially developed, using three core aspects identified from the literature. An expert panel was convened to further modify the instrument. Finally, a total of 300 low-risk women who gave birth in the past 2 months were asked to complete the instrument to assess validity and reliability. Findings: The 14-item instrument was found to have content and construct validity as well as a high level of reliability (α = .88). Conclusions: This new instrument is a valid and reliable measure of satisfaction with intrapartum care in a Jordanian setting. The instrument can provide valuable information on the quality of services and on future planning for maternity services.

Postpartum evaluation of vitamin D among a sample of Jordanian women

Abstract The aims of this study were to explore the vitamin D status among a sample of Jordanian postpartum women and identify factors associated with vitamin D deficiency. A total of 171 postpartum women agreed to participate. Participants completed a questionnaire on factors related to vitamin D deficiency and provided a blood sample to assess their plasma vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels using DIA source Immuno-Assays S.A. analysis. The majority of women (76%, n = 130) had vitamin D deficiency and 24% (n = 41) of participants had vitamin D insufficiency. Factors associated with vitamin D deficiency were younger age (< 30 years), low education level, unemployment, multiparity, lactation, dress style, limited sunlight exposure, high BMI, dark skin colour and lack of multivitamin use. Vitamin D supplementation must be considered during pregnancy and lactation to prevent hypovitaminosis in both mother and baby.

Prevalence of Hypovitaminosis D Among Jordanian Healthy Infants: A Descriptive Cross Sectional Study

UNLABELLED To determine vitamin D deficiency and associated risk factors of hypovitaminosis D among Jordanian healthy infants. DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 171 infants receiving a routine health check at a Maternal and Child Health Care Center were recruited. Plasma vitamin D 25-OHD level was assessed using a standard analysis of a blood sample. Other data collected included age, gender, birth order, season of birth, and mode of feeding. RESULTS Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (≤15 ng/mL) was 77% (132 out of 171 infants). Infants at risk of vitamin D deficiency were those between 1 to 6 months of age, male, third born or later, born in winter, and exclusively breastfed. The multivariate model showed birth order to be the largest contributor of vitamin D deficiency (R(2)=0.196), followed by breastfed infants (R(2)=0.071), infants born in winter (R(2)=0.037), male gender (R(2)=0.028), and infants aged between 1 and 6 months (R(2)=0.027). CONCLUSION Hypovitaminosis D appears to be more common among healthy infants in Jordan. Hypovitaminosis D was found to be common among third or later exclusively breastfeed male infants aged 1 to 6 months who were born during winter. PRACTICE IMPLICATION Maternal and child health nurses have a critical role to play in educating mothers about the importance of preventing hypovitaminosis D through adequate sun exposure and ensuring adequate supplementation. A higher dose of vitamin D supplementation for high-risk infants beyond the age of 1 year from developing countries should be administered.

Postnatal women’s perspectives on the feasibility of introducing postpartum home visits: a Jordanian study

ABSTRACT In Jordan, there is a deficiency in postnatal care provided to women and their newborns. This study investigated the feasibility of initiating postnatal home visits in Jordan. Thirty Jordanian mothers who had recently given birth were recruited from two governmental hospitals in the northern region of Jordan to participate in a qualitative study through face-to-face, voice-recorded interviews. The findings revealed that initiating postnatal home visits as part of postnatal care was well-received by the participants. Mothers’ views and perceptions regarding postpartum home visits play an integral role in finding areas to improve postnatal services.