World Health Organization - Jordan

ABSTRACTBackgroundThis study assessed how an educational intervention affected healthcare providers’ knowledge and practice of pharmacovigilance (PV) principles, with an emphasis on enhancing the reporting ADRs.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a structured questionnaire was utilised. A pre- and post-educational intervention design was used to assess the influence of a PV workshop on ADRs reporting in Jordan. The PV educational workshop was a one-year interactive session that addressed core PV principles.ResultsA total of 250 healthcare providers participated in the study, including 14 general physicians (5.6%), 15 specialist physicians (6%), 93 pharmacists (37.2%), 51 clinical pharmacists (20.4%), 58 nurses (23.2%), 3 midwives (1.2%), and 16 others (6.4%). A positive trend in participants’ familiarity with the PV term was shown, with 69.6% of respondents expressing improvement post-workshop. After the workshop, more than 70% of participants agreed that the reporting of ADRs increased. The utilisation of electronic forms for reporting ADRs was reported to be increased among 68.4% of participants. Regarding the improvement in the awareness of delayed ADRs, clinical pharmacists had higher knowledge scores (3.04) compared to general physicians (2.50; p = 0.041). Clinical pharmacists had a higher practice score (3.92) regarding the frequency of filling up a suspected ADR form compared to nurses (3.53; p = 0.042). When comparing the period before to after launching the workshop, the number of reported cases of ADRs increased from 546 to 1060, and the number of reported ADRs increased from 1216 to 1763.ConclusionThe educational intervention improved healthcare providers’ knowledge and practices related to PV and ADR reporting. These findings highlight the importance of targeted training initiatives in strengthening PV systems and promoting a culture of safety within healthcare settings.

The Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Mental Health in Vulnerable Population Settings: The Case of Jordan

Background Waterpipe nicotine dependence and its association with depressive symptoms and dual usage among adolescents are currently not examined in the literature. Adolescents are a vulnerable population that is susceptible to depression and initiation of tobacco use. We aim, in this novel study, to assess the association between depressive symptoms and waterpipe nicotine dependence among adolescents in Jordan, evaluate the association between waterpipe smoking status (waterpipe smoker vs. dual user) and waterpipe nicotine dependence, and assess the internal validity of the Waterpipe Nicotine Dependence Scale (WNDS). Method A cross-sectional study among adolescents of grade 9th to 12th in Jordan was conducted through multistage cluster random sampling. The self-reported Arabic Youth Tobacco Use Composite Measure Questionnaire (YTUCM) was used to collect the surveys that include demographic information, smoking status, and the WNDS to assess waterpipe nicotine dependence and depressive symptoms. Multiple linear regression and the t-test were used to analyze the data. Findings. One thousand three hundred and three surveys were collected, of which 1082 were included in the study (443 males and 639 females). 64.9% of the sample were nontobacco users, while 20.1% were waterpipe- (WTP-) only smokers, 11.4% were dual users, and 3.7% were cigarettes-only users. After adjusting for weights, 66.6% were nonsmokers, 19.2% were WTP-only smokers, 10.2% were dual users, and 3.9% were cigarettes-only smokers. Using multiple linear regression, depressive symptoms were significantly associated with WTP nicotine dependence (β 0.618), upon adjusting for confounders. Furthermore, dual users were associated with higher WTP nicotine dependence (β 12.034) compared to WTP-only smokers after adjusting for confounders. Cronbach's alpha for the WNDS was 0.955. Conclusions Our study shows that there is a statistically significant association between depressive symptoms and WTP nicotine dependence and higher dependence among dual users compared to WTP-only smokers. The WNDS can be a useful tool to assess WTP nicotine dependence with high internal consistency. However, a longitudinal study is needed to further understand the association and temporality between the depressive symptoms and WTP nicotine dependence. Additionally, research is needed to shorten the WNDS while maintaining high internal consistency and assess the external validity of the WNDS and the short- and long-term consequences of dual usage.

There is limited research on indoor air quality in the Middle East. In this study, concentrations and size distributions of indoor particles were measured in eight Jordanian dwellings during the winter and summer. Supplemental measurements of selected gaseous pollutants were also conducted. Indoor cooking, heating via the combustion of natural gas and kerosene, and tobacco/shisha smoking were associated with significant increases in the concentrations of ultrafine, fine, and coarse particles. Particle number (PN) and particle mass (PM) size distributions varied with the different indoor emission sources and among the eight dwellings. Natural gas cooking and natural gas or kerosene heaters were associated with PN concentrations on the order of 100,000 to 400,000 cm−3 and PM2.5 concentrations often in the range of 10 to 150 µg/m3. Tobacco and shisha (waterpipe or hookah) smoking, the latter of which is common in Jordan, were found to be strong emitters of indoor ultrafine and fine particles in the dwellings. Non-combustion cooking activities emitted comparably less PN and PM2.5. Indoor cooking and combustion processes were also found to increase concentrations of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds. In general, concentrations of indoor particles were lower during the summer compared to the winter. In the absence of indoor activities, indoor PN and PM2.5 concentrations were generally below 10,000 cm−3 and 30 µg/m3, respectively. Collectively, the results suggest that Jordanian indoor environments can be heavily polluted when compared to the surrounding outdoor atmosphere primarily due to the ubiquity of indoor combustion associated with cooking, heating, and smoking.

By the year 2050 almost all Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries will be facing water shortages. Integrated water resource management seems to be the most feasible option to overcome this crisis. Water conservation should be an integral part of this option. To increase the chance of success it should clearly focus on public awareness and participation. Lack of access to information related to water conservation and public awareness activities is a problem in EMR countries. Limited activities and poor information management and exchange activities are the reason for this problem. Access to water conservation and public awareness information can be improved by compiling a database of all available literature documenting the experience of the EMR in this area. This database should be made available to water specialists as well as to the public. Islamic teachings are full of concepts and tools such as conservation cooperation preventing harm water pollution and water protection that are useful for raising public awareness of water resource conservation. However official Islamic positions towards these issues must be declared by regional Islamic legislative bodies. This will require close cooperation and coordination between water agencies and legislative bodies. Islam is influential in the EMR; therefore incorporating Islamic teachings and concepts will help public awareness programmes achieve their goals. Using the Islamic education system seems to be effective and reliable. However this must be done in close coordination and collaboration with all stakeholders and should be integrated in water resource management activities. Occasional and local actions are ineffective and should be avoided. Public awareness activities based on Islamic teachings and concepts should not be limited to mosques but should extend to the education system. This can be done by incorporating clear messages into materials taught in schools including religion science environment and Arabic literature. (excerpt)