Salah Mawajdeh

MEASURING REPRODUCTIVE MORBIDITY: A COMMUNITY-BASED APPROACH, JORDAN

Our objective in this study was to determine the prevalence of reproductive and related nonreproductive morbidities in a group of reproductive-aged women living in Jordan. The study was designed as a two-phase survey. The first phase consisted of a structured personal interview and the second phase was a follow-up physical examination. Three hundred seventeen women aged 18–49 years were randomly selected and answered the questionnaire in the first phase of the study. Two hundred sixty agreed to both the general physical and pelvic examination. The main outcome measures were selected reproductive and related nonreproductive morbidities. Results show reproductive tract infections were diagnosed in 55% of the women, a presumed chlamydia trachomatis genital infection in 40%, and genital prolapse in 22%. As for related nonreproductive morbidities, 14% were diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI), 24% with urinary incontinence, and 40% with anemia. Our results of the study support the idea that in this community, womens health is at risk throughout their reproductive years, not only when they are pregnant or postpartum. We suggest further research in other Jordanian communities as well as solutions addressed to the health care community.

The effect of prenatal knowledge of fetal sex on birth weight: a study from Jordan.

In this article we seek to determine the effect of the knowledge of prenatal fetal sex, through the use of ultrasound, on infant mean birth weight and the proportion of low birth weight (LBW) babies. A sample population of 1,195 women (cases, n = 640; control, n = 555) were studied in relation to their knowledge of the sex of the fetus in three hospitals in Amman, Jordan. It was found that prenatally known males had the highest mean birth weights (MBWs) as compared with females. It is proposed that these differences could be attributed to behavioral factors related to son preference. The authors conclude that further research on the actual link between prenatal detection of fetal sex and health behavior as indicated by birth weight is needed.

Demographic profile and predictors of unmet need for family planning among Jordanian women.

Background Despite a reduction in fertility rates and a rise in the prevalence of contraceptive use in Jordan, a gap still exists between womens knowledge of family planning methods and actual usage of these methods. The study aimed to measure the prevalence of unmet need, describe the main socioeconomic characteristics, and outline the predictors of unmet need. Methods A nationally representative sample of 2406 women using Ministry of Health facilities was obtained by applying a two-stage cluster sampling technique. Six strata were identified based on three geographical regions and two types of health centre. Results The study results demonstrate the overall prevalence of unmet need to be 16.3%, comprising 6.8% of women who wanted to limit births and 9.5% who wanted to space births. A negative significant correlation was found between unmet need and the womens educational level. There was a higher level of unmet need in the south compared to other regions. Womens age categories showed high unmet need in the young and old categories compared to the middle age category of 25–35 years of age. A similar pattern was also seen when the number of living children was considered. Conclusions The study results indicate that lowering the prevalence of unmet need in Jordan is dependent on reducing the knowledge gap, since unmet need is related to womens level of education. Improving access to services at the regional level is also a key factor in reducing disparities between geographical regions.

Assessment of the quality of prenatal care: the transmission of information to pregnant women in maternal and child health centers in jordan.

The quality of information provided to pregnant women seeking prenatal care from public maternal and child health (MCH) facilities was assessed in Irbid, the principal city in the North of Jordan. The structural setup of the settings, as well as the process of information transmission, were examined using interviews of the managing physicians and recipients, as well as observation of encounters between pregnant women and health care providers (physicians and midwives) at the health facility. The results of the study showed that pregnant womens needs for health information were not being adequately met Women were dissatisfied with the quality of information delivered. Inadequacies in both the structure and the process of information provision are discussed.

The role of day care givers in the identification and prevention of infections

The prevalence of nasopharyngeal Streptococcus pyogenes in children attending day care centers in North Jordan was studied. Nasal and throat swabs, cultured for Streptococcus pyogenes were collected from 100 children enrolled in four day care centers serving middle to high socioeconomic status portions of the population in March 1989. The identity of the streptococcal isolates was confirmed by biochemical and serological methods. Throat infection manifestations of the past 3 days, as reported and observed by the care givers, were related to culture results. The study findings showed that the prevalence of nasopharyngeal Streptococcus pyogenes was high and ranged between 10 to 23.3%. It was also noted that the care givers were able to correctly identify children with suspected throat infection, in 11 to 25% of the children who grew Streptococcus pyogenes on cultures, by mere observation of the symptoms. Due to the high prevalence of nasopharyngeal Streptococcus pyogenes in these settings, measures to control and prevent the spread of Streptococcus pyogenes must be employed. This study suggests that care givers may play an important role in achieving such a goal if they are offered proper health education programs and instructions on child hygiene.