Background: Corticosteroids play a significant role in managing the vast majority of inflammatory and immunologic conditions. To date, population-based studies on knowledge and attitudes concerning corticosteroids are scarce. This study aims to comprehensively assess knowledge, perception, experience and phobia toward corticosteroid use among the general population in the era of COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect the data from 6 countries. Knowledge and corticophobia scores, descriptive statistics and logistic regression were computed. Results: A total of 2354 participants were enrolled in this study; the majority were females (61.6%) with an average age of 30. Around 61.9% had been infected previously with COVID-19, and about one-third of the participants had experience with corticosteroid use. The mean knowledge score was relatively satisfactory (8.7 ± 4.5 out of 14), and Corticophobia ranked a high score in all countries. Age, female gender, and history of COVID-19 were positively correlated with developing corticophobia. Conclusion: Our study highlights that the general knowledge about steroids was satisfactory. However, the phobia toward its use upon indication is high. Therefore, enhancing awareness and providing essential counseling regarding the rational use of corticosteroids may reduce corticophobia.

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, practices, and beliefs among the Jordanian population regarding hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A cross-sectional questionnaire was designed and used to recruit participants from October 5th through December 12th. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyse the sociodemographic data, the Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess the normality, Cronbach’s α was used to evaluate the reliability of the questionnaire and Point-biserial correlation was used to figure out whether there is an association between Score of knowledge and the dichotomous variables. A random sample of 432 participated in the study. The majority were females (n = 310, 71.8%), the mean age was 21 (42.0%) years,416 (96.3%) were urban inhabitants and most of them (n = 351, 81.3%) had bachelor’s degree. School/university (n = 280, 64.8%) were reported as a major source of information followed by TV/internet/social media 276 (63.9%). The total mean (± SD) of knowledge score regarding HBV infection symptoms, transmission modes and treatment was found 12.28 ± 3.2. Participants’ knowledge regarding symptoms including nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite was 73 (16.9%). More than 80% had good knowledge regarding the complications of HBV infection. Only 100 participant reported vaccination (23.1%) against the virus. Poor knowledge and low vaccination rate against HBV were found thus implementing comprehensive educational program for people highlighting the importance of vaccination against the virus is crucial.

Aim: This study aimed to describe the general characteristics of thyrotoxicosis patients, evaluate their quality of life and adherence to medications as an outpatient at endocrine clinic in Jordan. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The eligible participants, who were patients from endocrine outpatient clinics at JUH were recruited. The inclusion criteria limited the study to patients aged 18 years and older who were newly diagnosed with or had a past diagnosis of hyperthyroidism disease for any cause. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24.0 (SPSS® Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Result: Most participants were females (81.3%) and married (87.9%). The majority were educated and had a bachelor’s degree or higher (41.8%). The average reading for T3 was 6.80±8.26 pmol/l, T4 16.87±7.98 pmol/l, TSH 3.49±11.51 Mu/L, Anti thyroglobulin 2.37±1.73, and Anti thyroglobulin peroxidase 4.80±1.13. There were no significant findings in assessing the effect of treatment types on lab tests (p-value >0.05). The majority of thyrotoxicosis cases were caused by Graves’ disease (64.7%), followed by 17.60% from benign multinodular goiter, 11.80% thyroiditis and 5.90% toxic adenoma. There was no significant correlation (p>0.05) between the type of treatments and the following health related quality of life (HRQOL) sub-domains: generally unwell, social problem, muscular skeletal problems, eye problem, classical symptoms of hyperthyroidism(CSH) hand tremor, CSH palpitation, decreased appetite and constipation. Conclusion: Thyrotoxicosis is understudied in the Middle East, particularly Jordan. The main findings revealed that thyrotoxicosis is more prominent in females, mainly in their 4th decade. Future work should focus on the main possible methods to improve the HRQOL. In addition, awareness programs are required to encourage patients to obey the advice of their physician and increase their self-care towards improving the quality of their life.