Lubna Abushaikha

In this descriptive study, 100 low-risk participants who delivered vaginally were recruited from the postpartum unit of a major hospital in the city of Amman. Three instruments, the Numeric Pain Intensity Scale (NPIS), a pain assessment questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire were used to assess labour experiences and labour pain intensity levels. The majority of Jordanian parturients did not receive pain relief. Eighty-one women reported pain intensity levels of > or = 8 on the NPIS (ranging from 0-10). The mean pain intensity level during the second stage of labour was 8.83. A significant difference in age was found between primiparas and multiparas. Jordanian parturients reported painful labour experiences; therefore, re-evaluation of current maternity nursing and midwifery practices and roles regarding labour pain management are warranted. The roles of supporter and educator among maternity nurses and midwives in Jordan also need to improve considerably.

Limited numbers of studies have addressed Jordanian women's overall views and expectations of their first childbirth experience. A descriptive design using a convenience sample of 77 primigravid women was included in the analyses out of the total sample of 99 women. Participants responded to two valid and reliable questionnaires developed for the purpose of the study: the Expectations of Childbirth Experience questionnaire and the Expectations of Nursing Support During Labor and Birth questionnaire. The majority of primigravid women in this study expected a negative first childbirth experience. Findings indicated that the majority of women expected their overall childbirth experience to be frightening, very long, too difficult and painful. The expectations of a negative childbirth experience could be explained by limited labour preparation and advice given to women. Findings also indicated that women expected inadequate nursing and midwifery support during childbirth. Health-car...

Nursing shortage remains a global issue that emphasizes the need for both male and female nurses. Understanding the educational experiences of male nursing students may help in recruiting and retaining male nurses in the nursing profession. The aim of this study was to explore the challenges and positive aspects that undergraduate male nursing students encounter during the course of their study. A qualitative research design using inductive content analysis approach was used to explore perceptions of 20 undergraduate male nursing students in a baccalaureate nursing programme at a major public university in Jordan. Content analysis revealed two major themes: challenges (academic difficulties, biased policies, no social life, negative views of nursing and negative self-view) and positive aspects (personal benefits of studying nursing, every home need a nurse and nursing is a science). The findings added new insights and knowledge regarding the educational experiences of undergraduate male nursing students in a developing country, which is an understudied population. Understanding the challenges and positive aspects of nursing education from the perspectives of undergraduate male nursing students may help nursing educators better understand their students' educational experiences and help clarify their roles and responsibilities in dealing with these issues. Nursing as a career should continue to be a viable choice for both male and female students to address global nursing shortages. This can be ensured by decreasing challenges and supporting positive aspects that nursing students face during their nursing education. Higher education policy makers can use the findings of this study to appreciate the challenges that university students face. They can also reconsider existing policies that may hinder the acceptance of male student into nursing programmes and contribute to educational challenges.

In our study, we explored the roles of a father during childbirth as perceived by Arab Syrian parents. A descriptive phenomenological approach was used to analyze transcripts from interviews and focus groups. Four themes emerged: (a) psychological and spiritual support, (b) being present and concerned, (c) being ready and alert, and (d) fulfilling social obligations. Most women preferred to have their mothers with them during childbirth instead of their husbands. Current health policies do not encourage fathers to play active roles during childbirth and need revision, within culturally acceptable parameters and norms, to meet the health needs of clients.

The barriers that face fathers during childbirth are an understudied phenomenon. The objective of our study was to explore Syrian parents' perceptions of barriers to paternal presence and contribution during childbirth. A descriptive phenomenological qualitative approach based on Colaizzi's method was used with a purposive sample of 23 mothers and 14 fathers recruited from a major public maternity hospital in Syria. In our study, four themes on barriers to paternal presence and contribution during childbirth were found: 1) sociocultural influences and rigidity; 2) being unprepared; 3) unsupportive policies and attitudes; and 4) unfavorable reactions and circumstances. Common and current sociocultural norms in Syria do not encourage fathers to be present or contribute during childbirth. Therefore, establishing culturally sensitive supportive policies and practices is a vital step toward overcoming these barriers.

Background: Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP) represents a life-threatening event for womenand their families. A number of national and international Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) of HDPhave been published, however their use in clinical practice is still not well documented as it is complex.Suboptimal adherence to CPGs may lead to unfavorable maternal and perinatal outcomes. The purpose ofthis study is to assess the level of adherence of Healthcare Providers (HCPs) including obstetricians, nurses,and midwives to the HDP CPG based on Health System Strengthening (HSS II) recommendations in Jordan.Methods: A cross-sectional study design is used. 270 HCPs are recruited from different healthcare sectorsthat provide maternal health care services to women who are at risk of developing HDP. Data is collectedthrough self-reported questionnaire.Conclusion: HCPs showed a suboptimal adherence of to evidence-based recommendations of HDP’sguidelines; particularly in the antepartum and postpartum period. The results of this study can be used byguideline developers to raise acceptance and applicability of the guideline recommendations. Also, it mayhelp healthcare stakeholders and policy makers in designing tailored strategies to ensure successful andsustainable guideline adoption and its implementation in evidence-based maternity care.

Background: Sexual health is one aspect of daily life that becomes affected after an individual suffers from coronary artery diseases. Sexual health assessment is an important aspect in assessing general health of patients with coronary artery diseases. Patients often express their concern about sexual well-being after coronary artery diseases but they rarely receive sexual health-related information. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess Jordanian patients with coronary artery diseases toward sexual health and resuming sexual health activities. Methods: A descriptive, correlational and longitudinal design was used. A convenience sample of 90 patients with coronary artery diseases was enrolled. The study was conducted at one university-affiliated hospital and one public hospital in Amman. Patients’ knowledge about sexual health was assessed using Sex after Myocardial Infarction Knowledge Test- Cardiac version. Results: The majority of patients (65.6%) were diagnosed with MI...

The aim of this study was to explore osteoporosis (OP) risk factors among Jordanian women. Osteoporosis (OP) is a chronic complex health problem for millions of women worldwide, 80% of whom are postmenopausal women. Unless prevented or treated, this silent disease will continue to limit both the quantity and quality of life of many older women and significantly add to the health care cost for this group. A sample of Jordanian women in different settings in Jordan (N=192; mean age=43years). The study was descriptive and data were collected over a two month period in 2005 with the use of a self-administered questionnaires. : Although women reported having a diet high in calcium, and did not smoke. The majority (68%) did not exercise and consume a large amount of caffeine. There is an overwhelming need for more public education and for wider dissemination of information about OP prevention, and treatment with special attention in targeting younger women to improve women's health ea...

In this chapter, we briefly present the case of medical practice and education as they evolved through history until modern times. The history of medical practice and education portrays a transformation from unstructured spiritual and apprenticeship practice of the older days transitioning toward the current biopsychosocial medical model that is based on scientific evidence-based methods and practice. Educational methods have also developed from didactic traditional pedagogies and passive learning to more interactive methods and technologies based on andragogy. A preview of theoretical frameworks sets the ground for a discussion about medical schools’ curricula, values, and mission statements. The purpose of the frameworks is to illustrate the basic concepts on which a curriculum is constructed, and thus employ this in assessing whether these frameworks would fulfill the core values of medical practice as a holistic, bio-psychosocial science and practice; conceptual values that coul...

Fatigue and decreased functional status are common health concerns during postpartum. Although studied separately in the past, this study assessed levels and explored the relationship between these two variables. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with a convenience sample of 315 women to measure levels and assess the association between fatigue and functional status during postpartum. Moderate levels of fatigue and functional status were found. Fatigue levels and functional status were significantly higher in multiparas compared to primiparas, and fatigue was significantly higher in women who had cesarean births compared to vaginal births. Additionally, no significant correlation was found between fatigue and functional status during postpartum in this study. The lack of a statistically significant association between fatigue and functional status warrants further research since limited studies have been conducted. Findings of this study may assist healthcare providers in planning and implementing holistic assessment and care for women in postpartum.

Antecedentes: La escasez de enfermeria sigue siendo una cuestion mundial que enfatiza la necesidad tanto de enfermeras como de enfermeros, Entender las experiencias ed ucativas de estudiantes de enfermeria varones puede ayudar a atraer y a retener a varon es en la profesion de enfermeria. Objetivo: El objetivo de es te estudio fue explorar los desafios y los aspectos positivos que los estudiantes universitarios de enfermeria varones se encuentran durante el curso de sus estudios. Metodos: Se utilizo un diseno de investigacion cualitativa utili zando un plantea miento de analisis de conteni do inductivo para explorar las percepciones de 20 estudiantes varones de pregrado de un programa de grado en enfermeria en una importante universidad publica en Jordania, Resultados: El analisis de contenido revelo dos temas importantes: desafios (dificultades academicas, normativas sesgadas, falta de vida social, opiniones negativas sobre la enfermeria y opinio nes negativas de si mismo) y aspectos positivos (beneficios personales de estudi ar enfermeria, cada hogar necesita una enfermera y la enfermeria es una ciencia). Debate: Los resultados han al'iadido nuevas ideas y conocimiento relacionados con la experiencia educativa de estudiantes de enfermeria varones en un pais en desarrollo, y constituye una poblacion poco estudiada, Entender los desafios y los aspectos positivos de la educacion en enfermeria desde la perspectiva de los estudiantes varo nes de pregrado en enfermeria puede ayudar a educadores de enfermeria a comprender mejor sus experiencias educativas y ayudar a clarificar sus roles y responsabilidades al tratar estas cuestiones. Conclusion: La enfermeria como carrera deberia seguir siendo una eleccion viable tanto para estudiantes masculinos como femen inos para abordar la escasez mundial de enfermeria, Esto puede asegurarse al reducir los desafios y apoya los aspectos positivos a los que los estudiantes hacen frente durante su educacion en enfermeria. Implicaciones para la enfermeria y la politica sanitaria: Las in stancias normati vas de ensenanza superior pueden utili zar los res ultados de este estudio para apreciar los desafios a los que se enfrentan los estudiantes uni ve rsitarios. Pueden tambien reconsiderar las normativas existentes que pueden obstaculizar la aceptacion de estudiantes varones en programas de enfermeria y contribuir a los desafios educativos.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a historical overview of midwifery education in Jordan during the past fifty years with an emphasis on the first bachelor of midwifery program in Jordan. Nine challenges of midwifery education that include expanding midwifery educational needs, accreditation of programs, recruiting qualified faculty members, clinical training, midwifery preceptorship, exit examinations, continuing midwifery education, recognition of midwifery graduates, and lack of graduate midwifery programs are presented. Proposed solutions for these challenges are discussed. Introduction Jordan, as a developing country in southwest Asia, has a population of 5.5 million, a birth rate of 21.7/1000, a fertility rate of 2.7, a population growth of 2.6%, a maternal mortality rate of 41/1000, and an infant mortality rate of 17.4/1000 (Department of Statistics, 2005). These indicators are relatively high compared to most developed/industrial countries such as the United States wer...

Although the postpartum period is a significant time in a family's life, few studies have addressed the lack of continuity of care and service use during the postpartum period. The aim of this study was to explore the roles of family members in Jordanian women's decision to use postpartum health care services. An exploratory qualitative design was employed to elicit the perspectives of 24 women and 30 health care providers through six focus groups discussions conducted in April 2006. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, translated to English, and analyzed using an inductive content analysis approach. In our study, three roles of family members influencing Jordanian women's decision to use postpartum health care services emerged: supporter role, opponent role, and active participant in care role. Findings supported the need for a family-centered approach when providing postpartum care to enhance positive family roles and limit negative ones to promote continuity of healthcare services use during the postpartum period.

Although osteoporosis is a preventable disease affecting millions of people, public awareness remains low. This study used a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design to explore osteoporosis knowledge among adolescent female students in Jordan. A questionnaire was administered to 148 students recruited from a secondary school in the city of Irbid before and after a series of health education sessions based on the health belief model. A significant increase in overall scores for osteoporosis knowledge was seen (mean score pretest = 24.1 and posttest = 29.8, P < 0.001). Further research geared toward the follow-up of attained knowledge and behavioural change over time is greatly needed. ﻥﺩﺭﻷﺍ ﰲ ﺱﺭﺍﺪﳌﺍ ﺕﺎﺒﻟﺎﻃ ﲔﺑ ﻡﺎﻈﻌﻟﺍ ﻞ ﹸ ﺨﹾ ﻠﹶ ﹶ ﲣ ﻝﻮﺣ ﻑﺭﺎﻌﳌﺍ ﻕﻭﺮﺑ ﺀﺎﻴﳌ ،ﻥﺍﺮﻤﻋ ﻰﻬﺳ ،ﺔﺨﻴﺷ ﻮﺑﺃ ﻰﻨﺒﻟ

The purpose of this study is to explore labor pain coping methods among Jordanian parturients. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyze data on demographics and coping methods from 100 low-risk parturients who were recruited from the postpartum unit in a major hospital in Jordan: Four labor pain-coping methods that included physiological, psychological, spiritual, and cognitive coping were reported. This study confirms previous findings regarding coping methods and adds new knowledge on coping with labor pain among Jordanian parturients: The significance of childbirth education as a means to inform Jordanian women about coping with labor pain is emphasized. This study also highlighted the important roles that nurses and midwives can play as educators and supporters during pregnancy and labor.