The recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is associated with increasing morbidity and mortality and has impacted the lives of the global populations. Human behavior and knowledge assessment during the crisis are critical in the overall efforts to contain the outbreak. To assess knowledge, attitude, perceptions, and precautionary measures toward COVID-19 among a sample of medical students in Jordan. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted between the 16th and 19th of March 2020. Participants were students enrolled in different levels of study at the six medical schools in Jordan. An online questionnaire which was posted on online platforms was used. The questionnaire consisted of four main sections: socio-demographics, sources of information, knowledge attitudes, and precautionary measures regarding COVID-19. Medical students used mostly social media (83.4%) and online search engines (84.8%) as their preferred source of information on COVID-19 and relied less on medical search engines (64.1%). Most students believed that hand shaking (93.7%), kissing (94.7%), exposure to contaminated surfaces (97.4%), and droplet inhalation (91.0%) are the primary mode of transmission but were indecisive regarding airborne transmission with only 41.8% in support. Participants also reported that elderly with chronic illnesses are the most susceptible group for the coronavirus infection (95.0%). As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic more than 80.0% of study participants adopted social isolation strategies, regular hand washing, and enhanced personal hygiene measures as their first line of defense against the virus. In conclusion, Jordanian medical students showed expected level of knowledge about the COVID-19 virus and implemented proper strategies to prevent its spread.

Background Zoonotic diseases constitute a threat to humans and animals. The Middle East Region is a hotspot for such a threat; given its geographic location under migratory birds' flight paths, mass gatherings, political conflicts, and refugee crises. Thus, prioritizing zoonotic diseases of national significance is critical for preventing and controlling such threats and optimizing limited resources. Using a multi-sectoral One Health (OH) approach, this study aimed at prioritizing zoonotic diseases of national significance to Jordan and identifying future recommendations and action plans. Methods Zoonotic diseases of national significance to Jordan were initially identified ( n = 27 diseases). In December 2019, national staff from governmental and non-state sectors were invited to develop ranking criteria, including questions and answers choices, and to weigh each criterion. Then, the national staff were asked to assess zoonotic diseases' priority using the developed criteria and provide recommendations and action plans to strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration. Results Seven zoonotic diseases were identified as being of great significance. Rabies was ranked as the number one priority disease, followed by middle east respiratory syndrome, avian influenza, brucellosis, leishmaniasis, rickettsiosis, and salmonellosis. The highest weighted criteria used to rank diseases were disease severity, outbreaks profile, and potential human-to-human transmission. Establishing a one-health platform, surveillance, laboratory, preparedness planning, outbreak response, and workforce were suggested as recommendations for approaching the priority diseases. Respondents identified data sharing, coordination, event-based surveillance, and effective communication channels as vital areas to enhance prevention and control strategies, conduct joint outbreak investigations, and improve multi-sectoral collaboration. Conclusions This study represents the first attempt to prioritize zoonotic diseases of national significance in Jordan using the OH approach and a semi-qualitative, transparent, and comparative method. Study results can be used as a decision-making guide for policymakers and stakeholders and a cornerstone for combating zoonotic disease threats.

Among Arab boys and girls, WTS represents a growing strain of the tobacco epidemic that requires immediate attention.

Background Successful control of the COVID-19 pandemic is largely dependent on vaccine administration to epidemiologically influential groups, including children. Considering that pediatric population comprises a significant portion on the population in developing countries, and their risk of infection and spreading the disease has been underestimated, it is crucial to investigate parental willingness to administer SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to their children between 5 and 11 years old. This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of parental willingness towards vaccinating their children (5–12 years old) against COVID-19 in a developing country setting, Jordan. Methods A cross-sectional study, conducted between October and November 2021, utilized online Google Forms to collect data on parents’ background characteristics, willingness to vaccinate their children, SARS-CoV-2, infection and vaccine, risk perception, and factors affecting decision to vaccinate. Results A total of 564 parents completed the questionnaire; 82.8% were mothers, 85.3% were 30 years of age or older, and 75.9% had bachelor’s degrees or higher. Only 25.4% of parents reported willingness to vaccinate their 5–12 years old children against SARS-CoV-2. Lower parental age, higher income, and having health insurance coverage increased parental willingness. Among participants vaccinated against COVID-19, only 29.0% were willing to vaccinate their children. Healthcare providers’ trust and vaccine recommendations by pediatricians increased parental willingness. COVID-19 risk perception seems to have negative effects on parental willingness. Conclusion A significant proportion of parents in Jordan indicated hesitancy towards administering COVID-19 vaccine for their children. Concerns about vaccine safety and trust in the healthcare system appear to be the most important predictors of parents’ hesitancy. Effective vaccine campaigns should focus on risk perception and communication and should consider parental socio-demographic characteristics.

Background: Over the past two decades, there has been a steady rise in the rate of Cesarean section delivery globally. As a result, short-term and long-term maternal and neonatal complications are rising. The objective of this study is to determine the rate and indications for Cesarean section at King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) in Jordan and to assess the resulting neonatal outcomes. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for all women and neonates delivered by Cesarean section during the period January 2016 to July 2017 at KAUH tertiary academic center. Collected data include demographic characteristics, indication for delivery, and neonatal outcomes such as NICU admission, respiratory complications, sepsis, mortality, and length of hospitalization. Results: Two thousand five hundred ninety-five Cesarean section deliveries were performed over 18 months representing a rate of 50.5% of all deliveries. Sixty percent were scheduled procedures. Seventy-two percent were performed at full term gestation. The most common indication was previously scarred uterus (42.8%) followed by fetal distress (15.5%). The rate of admission to the neonatal ICU was 30% (800/2595). After multilogistic conditional regression analysis, the factors associated with increased risk of neonatal ICU admission were found to include grandmultiparity (Adjusted OR 1.46), gestational diabetes (Adjusted OR 1.92), maternal employment (Adjusted OR 1.84), prolonged rupture of membranes (Adjusted OR 5), fetal distress (Adjusted OR 1.84), prematurity (Adjusted OR 43.78), low birth weight (Adjusted OR 42), high order multiple gestation (Adjusted OR 9.58) and low 5-min APGAR score (Adjusted OR 10). Among the babies electively delivered at early term (37-38.6 weeks), 16% were admitted to the NICU for a median length of stay of 4 days (IQR 2, 8). The most common diagnoses for admitted term neonates were transient tachypnea of newborns and respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusions: CS deliveries account for more than half the number of deliveries at our institution and almost one third of the delivered babies are admitted to the NICU. Together with the resulting maternal and neonatal consequences, this carries a major burden on the newborns, health care facilities, and involved families. Local strategies and policies should be established and implemented to improve the outcome of births.