Women and domestic violence in Jordan "Tip of the Iceberg"

The objectives of this study were to explore the magnitude and determinants of exposure to physical and verbal violence among females and to examine their perceptions [beliefs] regarding domestic violence. For achieving these objectives, 480 females in the age group [15-49 years] were selected from Ma an governorate, south Jordan, using a multi-stage random sampling design. Data were collected by means of a face-to face interview using a questionnaire. Trained female interviewers collected the data over a period of one week. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical package. The response rate is 96%. 7.7% of the sample admitted being exposed to physical violence and 14% to verbal insults and humiliations in the year preceding the survey. Age of the respondent, marital status, education, monthly income and area of residence did not show any significant association with both types of violence. Husbands and mothers were found to be the chief of perpetrators of physical and verbal violence against currently married and single women, respectively. 13.4% of women believed that the husband has the right to use physical violence to discipline his wife and 7.7% believed that he has the right to use violence. 43% and 70% respondents believed that the wife has the right to seek police help and medical help respectively. The study highlighted some aspects of the problem of domestic violence and the pressing need for more in-depth research in this field

Obesity among females of reproductive age in Ma'an, Jordan

To determine prevalence rate of obesity among females in reproductive age and to investigate the relationship between obesity and age of the subject, urban-rural residence, marital status, level of education, monthly income of the family, parity, consanguinity of the couple, type of diet, and hypertension. A sample of 462 females in the age group 15-49 years were selected by a multistage sampling procedure. A questionnaire and face-to-face interviews were used as study instruments for data collection. Chi square tests and Fisher's exact tests were used to test the significance of associations between obesity and variables under investigation. Twenty seven percent of subjects were overweight and 21% were obese. Prevalence rate of obesity increased with increasing age. The rate of obesity was 28.5% in urban areas, 27.3% for married women, 20.4% for the illiterate subjects, and 32.2% for first-degree cousins. Poor subjects and women with high parity were more likely to be obese. Thirty one percent of subjects were classified as having prudent diet and 69% were classified in the non-prudent diet group. Obese women are more likely to be found in the prudent diet group than normal weight women. The findings of our study were in general agreement with the findings of other studies. Obese women were more likely to diet than normal weight women. Anti-obesity programs in Jordan should target not only obese women, but also normal weight women

Determinants of infant mortality and the use of maternity services in Jordan

The 1990 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey [JPFHS] is analyzed by using chi square test to explore some of the determinants of maternity care [antenatal and delivery] and infants death, the study showed the following results: The non-attendance at the antenatal clinic during pregnancy is more likely to occur in rural, elderly, and in less educated pregnant women; and in pregnant women with a high number of children. Home delivery is more likely to occur in rural, elderly and in less educated pregnant women; in pregnant women with no antenatal care or with inadequate visits to the antenatal clinic; and in women with a high number of children. Death during the first year of life is more likely to occur in children: living in rural areas, born to very young or very old women, if the infant ranks 2 to 3 or 7 or more, if the birth interval between this child and the previous one was less than 2 years, and if the child was very small at birth. The findings presented in this study are compared with the findings of other studies, to find out the improvement in the use of maternity services and to explore factors behind the use of such services and factors that affect infant mortality. Such studies in this field should he encouraged to be used in the planning of Maternal and Child Health Services in Jordan in the future