Reproductive health of male radiographers

To compare certain reproductive health problems reported in 2 groups of males, one of which was exposed to x-ray radiation [radiographers] and the other group that was not exposed to x-ray radiation. The reproductive health problems were miscarriage, congenital anomalies, still births and infertility. Two groups of men were selected [90 in each group]. The first group consisted of radiographers and the other groups consisted of men not exposed to x-ray radiation. The 2 groups were matched for age and source. Relative risk, attributable risk percentage and level of significance were calculated. Incidence rate of reproductive health problems was increasing with the increase in duration of exposure to x-ray radiation ranging between 17% [for those exposed for 1-5 years] to 91% [for those exposed for more than 15 years]. There were significant associations between exposure to radiation and miscarriage [relative risk = 1.67, attributable risk percentage = 40%], congenital anomalies [relative risk = 10, attributable risk percentage = 90%], still birth [relative risk = 7, attributable risk percentage = 86%], and infertility [relative risk = 4.5, attributable risk = 78%]. The incidence rates of reproductive health problems reported by male radiographers were significantly higher than that reported by the non exposed group and higher than the incidence rates reported in community-based studies in Jordan. The incidence rates of fetal death [miscarriage and stillbirth together] and infertility reported by our radiographers were higher than had been reported by the British radiographers. An immediate plan of action is needed to protect our radiographers. Further studies are needed in this field taking into account all extraneous variables that may affect the reproductive health of radiographers

Contraceptive use in Jordan

To compare women in the child bearing age for the years 1983, 1990, 1997 regarding their use of contraceptives and the variations in the source of intrauterine contraceptive devices, as it was recently observed that women are more likely to use intrauterine contraceptive devices. Three national surveys carried out in 1983, 1990, 1997 were compared. The samples selected in the 3 surveys were women in the child bearing age. A multistage sampling procedure was used to ensure the representativeness of the samples in the 3 surveys. The use of contraceptives increased from 26% in 1983 to 40% in 1990 and 53% in 1997. Women became more likely to use intrauterine contraceptive devices where the percentage of use increased from 32% in 1983 to 44% in 1997. The percentage of users of contraceptives in general and intrauterine contraceptive devices in particular was higher in urban areas and in educated women with a high number of children. Women at risk of not using contraceptives should be identified and contacted to convince them to use contraceptives. All barriers to access, use and quality of contraceptives should be investigated. The identification of such barriers will be useful for decision makers and health planners in the country

Hearing loss in textile factory

To compare the prevalence rate of hearing loss at different levels of noise in a textile factory and to find out the levels of hearing loss according to duration [years] of employment in the factory. Seventy workers exposed to different levels of noise were matched with 70 persons in the community who were not exposed to occupational noise. Noise levels dB[A] were measured at different locations in the factory. Hearing was assessed in all participants. Few cases were excluded from the study because hearing loss was due to factors other than exposure to noise. The prevalence rate of hearing loss was higher among the exposed group ie. 30% in the exposed group and 8% in the non-exposed group. Hearing loss increased with increasing level of noise reaching 73% in the 95dB[A] area. Average hearing loss was highest amongst those who were employed for 25 years or more, reaching 39% dB[HL]. The findings of this study highlighted the magnitude of the problem, the necessity of the application of preventive measures and the need for more studies in this field

Comparative study of carbamazepine by different manufacturs

To investigate the effectiveness of the national carbamazepine as compared to the imported carbamazepine and to explore certain characteristics of epileptic patients in the two groups. Two groups of epileptic patients were selected, one of the them was receiving the national carbamazepine [100 patents] and the other was receiving the imported carbamazepine [100 patients]. The first part of the study was concerned with comparing the two groups of patients regarding their marital status, education, income level, and severity of the convulsive attacks before treatment. The second part was concerned with studding the effectiveness of the national carbamazepine as compared to the imported carbamazepine. The imported group were all asked about their belief of the effectiveness of the imported carbamazepine. The imported carbamazepine groups as compared to the national carbamazepine groups was more likely to be married and highly educated, and they belonged to the high income group. Severity of the epileptic attacks was also related to the type of treatment. All these associations were not significant at the 0.05 [P>0.05]. Eighty three percent of the imported group believed that the imported carbamazepine is more effective than the national carbamazepine. Out of the 29 patients of the imported carbamazepine group who switched from imported carbamazepine to national carbamazepine, only one patient developed convulsive attacks. This case was not followed up to be sure that attack was an epileptic one. The characteristics of the patients and severity of the attacks are not significantly related to the type of treatment. The belief of certain epileptic patients that the important carbamazepine is more effective than national carbamazepine was defected completely. The effectiveness of the two preparations was almost the same. Special emphasis should be given to the education of patients of the effectiveness of our carbamazepine. Research is needed in this field

Accidental injuries in children in Jordan

In Jordan, morbidity and mortality data caused by to injuries are unavailable or incomplete. There is only few reports on RTA /Road Traffic Accidents and fatal falls. This study, of 740 injured children, aims at finding out the distribution of injuries in children in relation to the age and sex of the child; place, cause and type of injury; and site management of the case. The study showed the following : 1] Falls were responsible for 56% of injuries in this study. 2] Infants : Infants are more likely to sustain injuries inside than outside their homes. Falls on the same level, or on stairs, head injuries, burns, and bumping into solid objects were relatively common among injured infants in this age group. The hospital admission rate for injured children is 35.3%.3] Children [1-4 years] : Injuries inside home, falls on the same level, and lacerations were relatively common among injured children in this age group. As compared to injured infants, injured children in this age group are more likely to fall on the same level and less likely to be admitted to the hospital. Head injury in children [1-4 years] is 13.1% as compared to 47.37% in injured infants. 4] Children [5-9 years] : Sixty eight percent of injured children sustained injuries outside home. Lacerations, fractures, and sprains were relatively common in this age group as compared to children aged less than 5 years. Eighty four percent of injuries were managed at home or at the outpatient clinic. 5] Children [10-15 years] : Eighty five percent of injured children sustained injuries outside the home. Lacerations, contusions, fractures, and sprains were relatively common in this age group. Hospital admission rate for injured children is less than 10%.The distribution of injuries with respect to place, type, cause and site of management of the injured child differs among the different age groups of children included in the study