Evaluation of women knowledge and perception about polycystic ovary syndrome and its management in Jordan: A survey-based study
Authors : May Abu-Taha 1, Aya Daghash 2, Rajaa Daghash 1, Rana Abu Farha 1
Abstract : Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic and endocrine disorder in females in their reproductive-age and is associated with clinical complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and perception of women in Jordan about PCOS, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study that was designed in order to assess female knowledge, and perceptions about PCOS in Jordan. The study was carried out through a validated questionnaire and 227 was the number of recruited female participants. Results: The result showed that the participants had inadequate knowledge about PCOS. The major sources of information were physician and family (n = 77, 34%), 205 participants were aware that irregular or absence of menstrual cycle is a symptom of PCOS (90.3%). More than half of participants (55.9%) believe that PCOS patients have low body image. The educational level and marital status factors were significantly associated with participants' knowledge about PCOS (P-value = .008 and .004, respectively). Conclusion: The result of this study concluded that women have insufficient knowledge about PCOS and its complication. There is a need to enhance the knowledge and perception in female population in Jordan by developing education using different sources.
Keywords : Polycystic ovary syndrome, female, knowledge, perception, Jordan
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Combined Effect Of Coffee Consumption And Cigarette Smoking On Serum Levels Of Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, And Lipid Profile In Young Male: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors : May Abu-Taha,1 Rajaa Dagash,1 Beisan A Mohammad,2 Iman Basheiti,1 and Mahmoud S Abu-Samak1
Abstract : Objective To investigate the associations of coffee consumption and/or smoking on certain clinical outcomes including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), vitamin B12, and folic acid in a population of young healthy men. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted in Amman, Jordan, over 4 months. Participants were approached for study participation and asked to fill a questionnaire about their anthropometric information, habitual smoking, and coffee consumption during the last 3 months. Their fasting blood samples were taken to measure TC and LDL-C. Results Healthy male participants (n=117) in the age range of 18 to 26 years were recruited. Mean serum TC was higher in heavy coffee consumers (C++) group (≥3 cups/day) with or without smoking (M= 179.9±34.59 mg/dL and 195.94±23.69 mg/dL) in comparison with moderate coffee consumers (C+) group (1–2 cups/day) (M= 158.1±24.82 mg/dL and 177.23±34.17 mg/dL), and the mean level was higher in subjects who were coffee consumers only than smokers who were coffee consumers. LDL-C levels were higher in participants who were coffee consumers (M= 103.06±34.82mg/dL and 118.06±19.31 mg/dL) than smokers who were coffee consumers (M= 88.6±22.40 mg/dL and 108.26±37.57 mg/dL). No significant difference was noted regarding HDL-C, vitamin B12, and folic acid. Conclusion Our findings showed that heavy coffee consumption was more associated with hyperlipidemia than cigarette smoking. Accordingly, we conclude that moderate coffee consumption may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases or their consequences in male.
Keywords : coffee, cigarette smoking, cholesterol, lipid profile, CVD
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Dietary salt consumption and the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of healthy adults: a cross-sectional study from Jordan
Authors : Izzat Alawwa,a Rajaa Dagash,b Akram Saleh,a and Abdelaziz Ahmada
Abstract : High dietary sodium is recognized as a silent killer responsible for 2.3 million deaths worldwide in 2010 predominantly secondary to hypertension and its complications. Although high salt consumption is considered a worldwide public health problem, its magnitude is highly variable among different communities; therefore, it is important to study locally. This study aimed to evaluate habitual salt consumption, its important correlations, as well as the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of healthy Jordanian citizens. As potassium consumption is highly correlated and important we aimed to study both jointly. In this descriptive cross-sectional study we enrolled 103 healthy adult Jordanian citizens. All participants were interviewed for questionnaire filling, physical examination, and instructed on proper 24-hour urine collection procedure. We measured sodium and potassium concentration in the provided controlled 24-hour urine collection samples, as it is presently considered the gold standard for evaluating daily intake. The results showed an average sodium intake of 179 mmol (4.1 g) per day [higher in males at 186 mmol (4.3 g) vs. 173 mmol (4.0 g) for females], significantly above the current WHO recommendations, though only 8% regularly add salt to food. Ironically, most participants (82%) believe their salt consumption was appropriate and only 29% thought they may benefit from reducing salt intake. On the other hand, potassium intake is far below the current WHO recommendations. High sodium and low potassium intake have synergistic adverse effects on public health that is not currently addressed in Jordan. We conclude that Jordanian citizens currently consume high sodium and low potassium diet and are mostly unaware of its negative impact on their health. Hence, it is crucial for healthcare providers to intervene and adopt long-term strategies to control salt intake to reduce its negative effects in Jordan and elsewhere.
Keywords : Salt consumption, dietary sodium, dietary potassium, urinary sodium, hypertension, knowledge, behavior, Jordan
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Pharmaceutical care in children, an exploratory study of parental experiences in Jordan
Authors : Tareq L Mukattash 1, Anan S Jarab 2, Walaa H Gharaibeh 2, Rana K Abu-Farha 3, Mohammad B Nusair 4, Rajaa Daghash 3
Abstract : Background Pediatric pharmaceutical care is a new concept in the pharmacy profession. In Jordan, the knowledge of pediatric pharmaceutical care is limited, which may have negative consequences on pediatric pharmaceutical care and treatment efficacy and safety. Objectives The main objective of the present study is to assess parental needs for pediatric pharmaceutical care services and explore their current experiences of pharmaceutical services provided to their children. Setting Parental Facebook Groups in Jordan. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was designed and distributed online via Social Media networks, mainly Facebook. The validated survey contained 4 main sections addressing different themes related to pediatric pharmaceutical care services including: (1) parental perception of pediatric pharmaceutical care services. (2) Parental needs, wants, and expectations from the pharmacist when providing care to their children. (3) Parental awareness about pediatric pharmaceutical care, and parental satisfaction with current pediatric pharmaceutical care. Respondents who agreed to complete the survey signed and electronic informed consent form to access it. Main outcome measure The main outcomes measure was parental need for pediatric pharmaceutical care services. Results A total of 1104 respondents took part in the study. Of those 71% were female and 44% were 31-40 years old. The majority of respondents (78%) were not familiar with the pediatric pharmaceutical care term. The calculated overall mean perception score was 63.4%. The majority of respondents (89%) reported to need pediatric pharmaceutical care and the mean need score was 71.7%. Only 10.5% agreed/strongly agreed that their children were offered good pediatric pharmaceutical care services and respondents has a total mean satisfaction score of 65.7%. Conclusion The majority of the respondents reported that they need pharmaceutical care services for their children. Pharmacists in Jordan have to develop their role to incorporate pediatric pharmaceutical care services in their practice.
Keywords : Jordan; Parental care; Pediatrics; Perceptions; Pharmaceutical care; Satisfaction
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The clinical practice of acne treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors : Rajaa Daghash, Aya Dagash, May Abu-Taha
Abstract : Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, excess androgen hormone levels (hyperandrogenism) and morphology of polycystic ovaries. Acne, hirsutism and alopecia appears as a clinical signs of hyperandrogenism. Acne, also known as acne vulgaris, is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become plugged with oil and sheds of dead cells. Acne usually have a bad social impact on females.. The aim of this review is to point out the options for female patients to treat acne associated with PCOS. The correct selection of acne treatment depend on many factors such as patient’s age, clinical presentation, medication history, pregnancy, and patient preference.
Keywords : Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Acne; Treatment.
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Genetic polymorphism of NPPA gene at rs5065 and prevalence of asthma among Jordanians: cross sectional observational study.
Authors : Rajaa M.; Yousef, Al-Motassem; Basheti, Iman A.
Abstract : Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) plays a vital role in vasodilation, Broncho relaxation, pulmonary permeability, and in augmenting allergic inflammation and asthma. Natriuretic peptide precursor A gene encodes for, and it has been shown to have a significant association with asthma. This study was conducted to analyze theassociation between theNPPA gene polymorphism at rs5065 and the presence of asthma amongst Jordanian po- .pulation Blood samples were collected from 2 groups of Jordanians: 106 asthmatic patients and 117 gender- matched individuals who are non asthmatics using case-control design. Age, gender, onset of asthma, severity, and smoking history were obtained from all in the study. Both groups were genotyped for NPPA A2238G using Polymerase Chain Reaction- Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.Cases and controls were matched only for gender and they .differed with regard to their smoking habit and age No statistically significant difference in genotype frequencies for NPPA-rs5065 among asthmatic patients and controls patients were founds (P>0.05). Stratification of data by gender also, revealed no statically significant difference in genotype frequencies amongst asthmatic and healthy controls patients. Step wise logistic regression analysis revealed that irrespective of any other differences between asthmatic patients and controls, carriers of the genotype AA were 1.6 to 1.7 more likely to .develop asthma as compared to AG or GG The findings of the current study, strengthens the potentially important role of genetic polymorphism at rs5065 in the prediction of asthma development, however future studies should be conducted with larger sample size and better distribution of gender, age groups and smoking status between cases and controls to identify significant association
Keywords : Genetic polymorphism, NPPA gene,rs5065, asthma, Jordan.
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