Caring for a Child with Cancer: Experiences of Jordanian Mothers.

The diagnosis of childhood cancer is one of the most serious and unexpected experiences a mother can endure. A descriptive phenomenological approach was used to explore the experiences of mothers of children diagnosed with cancer in Jordan. Themes that emerged include (1) Emotional response on knowing the diagnosis (feelings of shock, lack of preparedness, denial, and feelings of "paralysis"), (2) Fear of the dreaded disease (fear of suffering and fear of death), and (3) The challenges of the treatment journey (inadequate financial resources, role transition, and feeling socially isolated). This study describes the experiences of Jordanian mothers who care for their children diagnosed with cancer so that health care providers can develop strategies to provide adequate psychological support to these mothers.

Effects of a health education intervention on knowledge and attitudes towards chronic non-communicable diseases among undergraduate students in Jordan.

Aim: To assess the effect of a health promotion course on knowledge and attitudes towards chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) among undergraduate students in a Jordanian university. Design: A one-group pre-test-post-test study design was used. Methods: A convenience sample of 178 undergraduate students registered in a 3-credit health promotion course was enrolled in the study and completed both pre- and post-tests. This course is offered as an elective course for undergraduate students by the Faculty of Nursing at a large public university in Jordan. Twelve, one-hour interactive sessions regarding CNCDs topics were delivered over 3 weeks as part of the health promotion course. A computer-based questionnaire was used to evaluate students' knowledge and attitudes towards CNCDs including diabetes, hypertension and cancer, before and after undertaking the course. Results: There was a significant improvement in the overall knowledge (Cohen's d effect size (d) = 1.08) and attitudes (d = 0.62) among all the students, regardless of gender. The overall knowledge and attitudes scores were significantly higher among females in the pre-test, but the differences in their overall scores became insignificant in the post-test. Education on specific topics was effective in improving university students' knowledge and attitudes about health-promoting behaviours, thereby preventing CNCDs. It is important to incorporate health promotion education regarding CNCDs into university curricula using innovative approaches to enhance healthy behaviours in young adults.

Intimidation and bullying: A school survey examining the effect of demographic data.

The aim of this study is to identify the predictors of bullying in secondary school students. This study uses correlational and regression analysis to examine the relationship between demographic data of students and whether or not they partake in bullying or have been bullied. Out of the given surveys, 357 were answered. The survey was given to three public schools from Irbid city. The results of multiple logistic regression tests revealed that level of study (B = .184, p = 0.003) is positively and independently associated with bullying. Factors such as gender, income, and education are not significantly predictive of bullying behavior among school students. This study has implications for healthcare providers, nurses, and policymakers to adapt anti-bullying strategies for all secondary schools.

Effects of interactive teaching on university students' knowledge and attitude toward reproductive health: a pilot study in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Youths in Jordan lack knowledge related to reproductive health (RH). Interactive teaching methods showed positive results in enhancing health awareness and adopting healthy practices among students. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the usefulness of interactive teaching in promoting health awareness of RH among nonmedical university students in Jordan. METHODS: We employed a quasi-experimental one group pretest and posttest design for a purposive sample of 210 students (18-24 years). Knowledge and attitudes regarding RH issues were assessed using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. RESULTS: A significant improvement in students' knowledge and attitudes toward RH was evident. Female students had higher scores on knowledge than male students in the pretest; this difference was smaller in the posttest. Also, female students had significantly more positive attitudes toward RH in pretest than males, although this difference vanished in the posttest. Study results indicated that students benefit from study intervention regardless their gender. CONCLUSION: Integrating RH into university's curriculum coupled with interactive learning approach is a powerful way to promote RH awareness among youths.

Exposure to verbal abuse and neglect during childbirth among Jordanian women.

Women's relationship with health care providers in maternity settings during childbirth has a significant impact on their wellbeing and lives. The current study aims to explore women exposure to neglect and verbal abuse during childbirth METHOD: a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive design was conducted at four governmental Maternal and Child Health Centers (MCHCs). A final sample of 390 Jordanian women who gave birth within the last 1-3 months was included in the study. Childbirth Verbal Abuse and Neglect Questionnaire (CVANQ) were developed to collect the data. RESULTS: women's age ranged between 18-45 years, and the mean age was 28 year. 32.2% women reported neglect during their last childbirth, 37.7% women reported verbal abuse during last childbirth. Women who reported being neglected also reported being verbally abused. An inverse relationship was found between age and neglect and verbal abuse. Neglect was significantly associated with women's receiving information regarding their rights and responsibilities, being attended by health care providers. Additionally, verbal abuse was significantly associated with being attended by health care provider. CONCLUSION: child birthing women participated in the current study was exposed to neglect and verbal abuse. This is the first study to report the prevalence of neglect and verbal abuse among child birthing women in Jordan. Research studies is needed to identify the consequences of exposure to neglect and verbal abuse during childbirth on women's psychological, emotional, and physical well being. Training classes and education for health care providers about how to care and communicate with child birthing women.

Mothers' knowledge & perception about child sexual abuse in Jordan.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a serious problem causing physical, social and psychosocial harm. To understand the Jordanian mothers' efforts to prevent CSA, we assessed the mothers' general knowledge about CSA, their perceptions, knowledge about signs and symptoms of CSA and their knowledge about prevention practices of CSA in relation to their demographics. A cross- sectional descriptive design was used with a convenient sample of 488 mothers. The data was collected using a self-reported questionnaire consisting of 52 items. Descriptive and parametric and non-parametric statistical procedures were employed. Almost all mothers in the study were Muslim and married. Half of the mothers had post-secondary education and only 36% were employed. The study revealed that the majority of mothers were knowledgeable about CSA and its prevention practices. Though only 17% of mothers had started practicing some of the CSA preventive measures when their children were young (1-4 years of age) and less than half (48.8%) had started when their children were 4-6 years of age. Three quarters (74%) of the mothers indicated that educating children about CSA can prevent it. Only 37.7% knew about laws regarding CSA in Jordan and less than half of mothers knew about social organizations that provide services for children who suffered from sexual abuse. Mothers who had a high income or a high level of education or were employed had a higher awareness of CSA and recognized signs and symptoms of CSA more than other mothers.