ABSTRACT
Introduction The World Health Organization has declared Monkeypox a global public health emergency. The involvement of healthcare providers, such as pharmacists, plays a crucial role in disease control. Evaluating pharmacists' knowledge and their skills in diagnosing and managing monkeypox is crucial for developing effective response plans to control the disease. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess monkeypox knowledge among Jordanian pharmacists and pharmacy students, and their ability to diagnose and manage monkeypox cases. An extensive literature review was conducted to develop the first draft of the survey, which was subsequently assessed for face and content validity. The survey comprised three main sections addressing various topics of interest. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science. Results A total of 586 participants completed the survey, with a mean age of 24.94 years. The primary information source about monkeypox was published researches. The total knowledge scores (TK-score) ranged from − 5 to 17, with a mean of 6.37 while the symptoms knowledge scores (SK-score) ranged from − 5 to 9, with a mean of 2.71. A statistically significant difference in TK-score was observed between males and females (p-value = 0.025). The majority of the participants were not confident in their ability to diagnose (82.9%), or manage (79.9%) monkeypox cases. Approximately half of the participants believed that having COVID-19 increases the risk of experiencing serious symptoms from monkeypox. According to nearly half of participants, monkeypox is the potential next epidemic after COVID-19. Conclusion Study participants demonstrated higher knowledge concerning monkeypox virus symptoms, in contrast to their understanding of virus transmission modes and prevention. The findings revealed low levels of confidence among participants in diagnosing and managing monkeypox.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Background: Online learning is becoming a crucial part of the educational process worldwide, especially after the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This study was designed to assess medical students' perception toward online learning and their perceived preparedness and barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: : An electronic-based cross-sectional survey was used to recruit eligible participants, including Bachelor of Pharmacy, Pharm.D., medicine, Nurse, dentist, veterinary medicine at different Jordanian universities (public and private). Descriptive and linear regression analysis were conducted using S.P.S.S. software. The perception score was calculated based on a 5-point Likert scale Results: : A total of 939 students agreed to participate in this study. The prominent category was females (n=691, 73.6%), the median age of 22.0 years (IQR= 2.0), and around 56% of the study in private universities (n= 520, 55.6%). More than half of the students reported that their experiences were unsatisfactory or very unsatisfactory (n= 510, 54.3%). The majority of students preferred face-to-face communication with their professors and colleagues and considered it more effective (n= 682, 72.6%). The median of the mean perception score was 2.4 (IQR= 1.1). Regarding challenges and barriers, more than 70% reported weak internet connection, E-learning boredom, and lack of motivation (n= 723, 77.0%). Conclusion: This study reported inadequate satisfaction and perception towards the current experience in E-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also discussed the barriers and challenges hindering this transition, such as weak internet connection and the lack of motivation, indicating a need for implementing new pedagogies to enhance students' experiences regarding online education.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Protein S DeficiencyABSTRACT
The current study aimed at exploring university students’ perspectives on the emergency distance education strategy that was implemented during the COVID-19 crisis in Jordan, one of the countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Utilizing a qualitative design supported by Moore’s theory of transactional distance, a total of 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted with university students of various study levels and disciplines. Data were inductively analyzed using thematic analysis as suggested by Braun and Clarke. Seven themes have emerged, including, (i) Students’ psychological response to the sudden transition in educational process, (ii) Students’ digital preparedness, equality, and digital communication, (iii) Students’ and teachers’ technical competencies and technostress, (iv) Student-student and student-teacher interpersonal communication, (v) Quality and quantity of learning materials, (vi) Students’ assignments, examinations, and non-reliable evaluation methods, and (vii) Opportunities with positive impact of distance learning. The study findings provide evidence that the sudden transition from traditional on-campus to online distance education was significantly challenging in many aspects and was not a pleasant experience for many participants. Various factors under the jurisdiction of academic institutions and decision-makers are considered main contributing factors to the students’ educational experiences amid the pandemic crisis. Therefore, better planning and more sustainable utilization of educational resources have paramount importance in providing a high-quality education. Additionally, more dedicated efforts in terms of equitable, reliable, and credible evaluation systems should be considered in Jordan’s distance education strategy.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Background: Health care providers (HCPs) have always been a common target of stigmatization during widespread infections and COVID-19 is not an exception. Aim: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of stigma during the COVID-19 pandemic among HCPs in 7 different countries using the Stigma COVID-19 Healthcare Providers tool (S19-HCPs). Design: Cross-sectional Methods: The S19-HCPs is a self-administered survey (16-item) developed and validated by the research team. The participants were invited to complete an online survey. Data collection started from June-July 2020 using a convenience sample of HCPs from Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Kuwait. Results: A total number of 1726 participants were included in the final analysis. The majority of the study participants were Jordanians (22%), followed by Kuwaitis (19%), Filipinos (18%) and the lowest participants were Indonesians (6%). Other nationalities were Iraqis, Saudis, and Egyptians with 15%, 11% and 9% respectively. Among the respondents, 57% have worked either in a COVID-19 designated facility or in a quarantine center and 78% claimed that they had received training for COVID-19. Statistical significance between COVID-19 stigma and demographic variables were found in all aspect of the S19-HCPs. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrated high levels of stigmatization against HCPs in all the included seven countries. On the other hand, they are still perceived positively by their communities and in their utmost, highly motivated to care for COVID-19 patients. Educational and awareness programs could have a crucial role in the solution of stigmatization problems over the world.Funding: This study received no grant or fund.Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.Ethics Approval Statement: The Ethics Committee approved all study activities of the following Centers: Iraq, University of Baghdad (UoB) in Iraq (Ref20-09-2020); Jordan, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) (Ref15-10-2020), King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) (04-NOV-2020), Islamic Hospital (6-2020-2968), Al Essra Hospital (02-01-2021); Saudi Arabia, Faculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University (KAU) (Ref No 2F. 38); Kuwait, Ministry of Health (1604/2020); Indonesia, Universitas Triatma Mulya (2020-10022); for the Philippines and Egypt (no IRB approvals were required).
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Background: The relationship between smoking and Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is still topical with mixed epidemiological evidence. However, the pandemic may affect people’s beliefs towards smoking as well as smoking behavior and quit intentions. Considering high smoking rates in Jordan, our current study aimed to assess the following points in a community-based sample from Jordan: (i) the beliefs that surround smoking and COVID-19, (ii) the pandemic impact on smoking behavior and quit intention. Methods: : A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jordan utilizing an online questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised 13 items on sociodemographic, health, and smoking profiles, 14 items to assess beliefs surrounding COVID-19 and the use of combustible cigarettes (CC), waterpipe (WP), and electronic cigarettes (EC), and 12 items to assess the pandemic impact on smoking behavior and quit intention. Results: Of 2424 survey respondents who participated in our study there were 1163 never-smokers, 1044 current smokers, and 217 ex-smokers. The mean age of participants was 35.2 years (SD:11.06). Most participants have shown anti-smoking beliefs with around 72.9% believed that WP smoking is related to the risk of contracting COVID-19. Also, 71.7% believed that smoking CC may worsen the COVID-19 clinical course, while 74.1% of respondents believed that smoking has no protective effect against COVID-19. During the pandemic, about 28.1% and 19.3% of current smokers reported increased or reduced smoking, respectively, and many smokers reported their willingness to quit smoking due to the pandemic. Besides, 459 current smokers have expressed their plans/intention to quit smoking during the pandemic, of whom 27.5% (n=126) confirmed that the driving force for their decision is a COVID-19 related reason, such as self-protection (n=123) and protection of family members (=121) which were the most reported ones. Also, around 63 participants have successfully ceased smoking during the pandemic. However, only 22 of them reported that the main driving motivation of their successful quit attempt was the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Most participants reported anti-smoking beliefs and attitudes during the pandemic. Nevertheless, the double-edged effect of the pandemic on smoking habits should be carefully considered, and reliable anti-smoking measures should be strengthened and sustained in the country.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Sialic Acid Storage Disease , Coronavirus InfectionsABSTRACT
Background The relationship between smoking and Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is still topical with mixed epidemiological evidence. However, the pandemic may affect people’s beliefs towards smoking as well as smoking behavior and quit intentions. Considering high smoking rates in Jordan, our current study aimed to assess (i) the beliefs that surround smoking and COVID-19, (ii) the pandemic impact on smoking behavior and quit intention.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jordan utilizing an online questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised 13 items on sociodemographic, health, and smoking profiles, 14 items to assess beliefs surrounding COVID-19 and the use of combustible cigarettes (CC), waterpipe (WP), and electronic cigarettes (EC), and 12 items to assess the pandemic impact on smoking behavior and quit intention.Results Of 2424 survey respondents who participated in our study there were 1163 never-smokers, 1044 current smokers, and 217 ex-smokers. The mean age of participants was 35.2 years (SD:11.06). Most participants have shown anti-smoking beliefs with around 72.9% believed that WP smoking is related to the risk of contracting COVID-19. Also, 71.7% believed that smoking CC may worsen the COVID-19 clinical course, while 74.1% of respondents believed that smoking has no protective effect against COVID-19. During the pandemic, about 28.1% and 19.3% of current smokers reported increased or reduced smoking, respectively, and many smokers reported their willingness to quit smoking due to the pandemic.Conclusion Most participants reported anti-smoking beliefs and attitudes during the pandemic. Nevertheless, the double-edged effect of the pandemic on smoking habits should be carefully considered, and reliable anti-smoking measures should be strengthened and sustained in the country.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Background: Nowadays, it is clear for the whole world that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic had substantial consequences on various sectors including social, economic and education. Pharmacy education includes community pharmacy practice training, and in many schools, it has been shifted to virtual modality utilizing distance learning. This study aims to assess the perception of pharmacy students towards community pharmacy practice virtual training during the COVID-19 period. Methods: Senior pharmacy students were included in this study. Accredited and certified community pharmacy preceptors were asked to simulate the community pharmacy training and record that as videos, which were evaluated and assessed by expert academics before being delivered to students. A validated online questionnaire was then distributed for the students for self-administration through Microsoft teams to evaluate their perception. Results: A convenience sample (n=109) of senior pharmacy students were recruited. The majority of the participants were females (70.6%) and the median age of students was 22.0 years (IQR= 1). Around half of the participants showed positive perceptions towards the virtual training module and the pharmacy training preceptors. A 46.8% of the students benefited from the virtual training in time management and 43.1% in developing lifelong learning skills. The absence of eye contact during the learning was the most important barrier revealed by the students (52.3%). Half of the students agreed/strongly agreed that combining the virtual and conventional techniques for future training would improve training outcomesConclusion: This is the first study assessing perception towards virtual training in Jordan, which was positive among pharmacy students. Such results could spot the light on the value of hybrid education and training (virtual with actual) in the pharmacy field. However, there is a crucial need for well-designed studied modules to comply with the intended learning outcomes.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Coronavirus InfectionsABSTRACT
Rational: In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus infectious disease as a pandemic referred to as COVID-19. As an essential service, community pharmacists have been enacting a key role in patient counseling and supply of essential medicines and protective equipment. Objectives: To investigate pharmacists’ perspectives of the role of educational institutes and professional pharmacy organizations in supporting them to take on roles during COVID-19 pandemic and to identify barriers to be able to support themselves and their patients. Methods: This descriptive mixed-method study was conducted via a cross-sectional online survey distributed to pharmacists/pharmacy students in Jordan during the COVID-19 outbreak (15-30 March 2020) using an online questionnaire, followed by an online focus group. Questionnaire items related to participants’ perspectives in being prepared for and supported in their roles during the COVID-19 pandemic and items were tested for face validity. Data were descriptively analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and triangulated with focus group findings.Results: Considering that fear and anxiety are a consequence of mass social distancing/quarantine, study participants (n=726, age=26.9 (SD=8.0) years, 71.9% females), reported needing training on mental healthcare to be able to support themselves and people during pandemics (90.2%). Most respondents agreed/strongly agreed (59.7%) with the statement around pharmacy educators/educational institutes having a key role in preparing pharmacists for practice during epidemics/pandemics, and agreed that their faculties should add a course regarding pandemic preparedness in their curriculum (89.9%). Results were similar regarding roles for the pharmaceutical associations. Focus group findings (n=7) mirrored the survey findings to a large extent.Conclusions: Most participants believed that Pharmacy Educators and pharmaceutical associations have a role in preparing them to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic through online educational workshops/webinars. Online education on mental healthcare is specifically needed.