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At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Rodents as reservoir hosts of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jordan.

Rodents were collected from endemic foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jordan, either by flooding their burrows with water or using Sherman traps. Of the 170 jirds (Psammomys obesus) collected, 39 (23%) had Leishmania amastigotes in one or both ears. Although cultures of ear biopsies from the infected animals were all positive, cultures made using biopsies from their noses, livers or spleens were all negative. The infected jirds were encountered in seven of the nine areas studied. Biochemical characterization of six isolates from P. obesus, using cellulose acetate electrophoresis of six enzymes (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, phosphoglucomutase, phosphoglucoisomerase and fructokinase) showed that the jird isolates were isoenzymatically identical with two Jordanian human Leishmania isolates and reference isolates of L. major but differed from reference strains of L. tropica. None of the other rodents caught (Meriones libycus, M. crassus, M. tristrami, Allactaga euphratica and Gerbillus spp.) yielded Leishmania parasites, confirming that P. obesus is the major reservoir host of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jordan.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Hydatidosis in Jordan: an epidemiological study of 306 cases.

Of the 306 subjects studied, who had had hydatid cysts (Echinococcus granulosus) surgically excised in Jordan, 185 (60%) were female and 121 (40%) male. The liver was the most affected organ (57.8%), followed by the lung (26.4%). The kidneys, spleen, brain, soft tissues of neck, appendix and mesentery were less frequent sites. Multiple-organ infection was seen in 23 patients (7.5%). Over a third of the cases (35.8%) was aged < 21 years and the commonest occupation was housewife, followed by school student. The epidemiology of hydatidosis transmission in Jordan is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

A retrospective study of human cystic echinococcosis in Jordan.

Some 676 human cases of cystic echinococcosis (CE) were recorded from 18 major hospitals in Jordan from January 1985 to October 1993. The number and origins of the cases indicate that CE is an endemic and widespread disease in Jordan. Operations for the extraction of hydatid cysts represented 0.1% of all surgical operations carried out in the surveyed hospitals during the study period (excluding Caesarean sections). The mean annual surgical incidence of CE was estimated to be 0.5-8.2 per 100,000 population, depending on the governorate studied, with an overall mean of 2.9 per 100,000. Incidence was higher in the more rural eastern and south-western governorates than elsewhere, and more cases fell in the 21-30-year age group than in any other. Many more of the cases were female than male (443 v. 233; P < 0.001). The liver was the most common organ infected (54.5% of cases), followed by the lungs (12.1%), and multiple hydatidosis usually involved the liver.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Respiratory syncytial virus subgroup A in hospitalized children in Zarqa, Jordan.

The epidemiology of RSV infection was investigated in 271 children aged less than 2 years admitted to the Zarqa Government Hospital, Jordan with bronchiolitis or bronchopneumonia. Nasopharyngeal washings were cultured and RSV antigen was detected by the direct immunofluorescence technique. Of the 271 specimens, 69 (25.46%) were positive for RSV, representing 50.36% of the respiratory viruses. All RSV isolates were typed as subgroup A by monoclonal antibody and confirmed by RT-PCR. RSV was prevalent in the hospitalised children in the coldest months of the year. The epidemics began in January or February, peaked in spring and then disappeared in summer. This study supports the idea that RSV subgroup A is a major contributor to winter outbreaks of respiratory tract disease in children, and health care workers in Jordan should consider the diagnosis during January-May each year.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Prevalence of asthma and wheeze in primary school children in northern Jordan.

In order to determine the prevalence of asthma and wheeze in Northern Jordan, a questionnaire was distributed to 3540 school children aged 6-12 years in Irbid City. The completed questionnaires were returned by 3182 children, a response rate of 90%. The prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma was 4.1%. Wheezing was reported by 8.3% of children. The male:female ratio was 2:1 for both conditions. In order of frequency, the triggering factors were respiratory tract infections, cold environment, exercise and dust. Statistically significant associations between wheezing (including asthma) and a family history of asthma, recurrent chest infections, eczema, allergic rhinicis and parental smoking were detected. Mode of delivery, breastfeeding and the presence of pets at home were not significantly associated. The prevalence of childhood asthma in Northern Jordan is similar to that in some countries of the developed world. Underdiagnosis may explain the relatively low prevalence of asthma found in this study population.

Asthma↗
PubMed2005

Primary gastric lymphoma in Jordan with special emphasis on descriptive epidemiology.

The aim of this study was to examine the clinicopathological features and epidemiology of primary gastric lymphoma in Jordan as a model for Middle East countries where such data is scarce. From 1991--2002, 219 patients with primary gastric malignancy were managed at our hospitals. Among these there were 19 patients with primary gastric lymphoma. Pertinent data for these patients were analyzed. Primary gastric lymphoma constituted 65.5% of all gastrointestinal lymphoma and 8.7% of all gastric malignancies. Male-to-female ratio was 2.8:1. The mean age was 56 years (range 39--82). The incidence was 0.6/100,000. The proximal third was the most common localisation. Abdominal pain was the commonest presentation. Low-grade MALT lymphomas, high-grade MALT lymphomas, diffuse large cell B lymphomas and T cell lymphoma were found in 21.1, 26.3, 47.4 and 5.3%, respectively. Nine patients had gastrectomy followed by chemotherapy, 6 patients had palliative resection, 3 patients had chemotherapy only and the remaining patient was treated with Helicobacter pylori eradication. The mean follow-up for all patients was 42.2 months. The 5-year survival rates for stages IE (n=5), IIE (n=4), IIIE (n=6) and IVE (n=4) were 100, 67, 27 and 0%, respectively (p=0.0003). The overall 5 years survival was 48.2%. Primary gastric lymphoma in Jordan shares some epidemiological features with western disease. Jordanian patients are detected and treated after a relatively long delay. Advanced stage at diagnosis correlated with poor outcome. There is a need of an earlier diagnosis and subsequent better care.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Menopausal symptoms and health problems of women aged 50-65 years in southern Jordan.

OBJECTIVES: To identify menopausal symptoms and health disorders of women aged 50-65 years in under-privileged areas of southern Jordan. METHOD: A multistage, random-sampling design was applied to select a sample of households from three governorates. A total of 143 women were eligible to be included in the analysis. Women were asked about a list of symptoms (somatic, psychological and genitourinary) and about a list of morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and urinary tract infection. Ever-screening by mammogram, regular breast self-examination, ever-screening by cervical smear, general medical check-up, physical activity, smoking habit, and ever-receiving information about menopause were also investigated. RESULTS: The median age of onset of natural menopause was 50 years; 77% of women were illiterate, and 59% of the couples were relatives. The most frequently reported somatic symptoms were joint aches/stiffness (89%), bone pains (74%) and paresthesia in the extremities (51%). Hot flushes were experienced by 62% and urinary incontinence by 30%. Almost 62% reported irritability and mood changes, 56% had high blood pressure, and 18% and 14% suffered from urinary tract infection and reproductive tract infection, respectively. Eight percent and 11% reported ever-screening by mammogram and cervical smear, respectively, and 11% reported performing breast self-examination regularly. Regular physical exercise was reported by 8%, and 81% were overweight or obese. One-quarter received information on menopause, and 58% reported the need to know 'everything' about menopause. CONCLUSION: Women in southern Jordan experienced multiple menopause-related symptoms and morbidities. The majority of them did not receive any health education about this phase of life. Preventive health practices and health-promoting behaviors are relatively uncommon. Effective health-care delivery systems responsive to menopausal women's health needs are highly recommended.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Anaemia during pregnancy as a risk factor for iron-deficiency anaemia in infancy: a case-control study in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: A high prevalence of 50-65% iron-deficiency anaemia in mothers and infants in Jordan was reported by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in 1990. Iron-deficiency in infancy has been shown to delay cognitive and psychomotor development with long-term consequences. While socioeconomic deprivation and inadequate nutrition are known underlying factors, it is unclear whether iron endowment at birth is compromised when mothers are anaemic, further jeopardizing iron status during infancy. A prospective case-control study of infants from birth to one year was conducted in a lower middle-class urban setting in Amman, Jordan. The study objective was to examine the relationship between maternal anaemia and iron-deficiency anaemia during infancy. METHOD: A sample of 107 anaemic (Hb < 11 g/dl) and 125 non-anaemic mothers was selected at 37 weeks' gestation and matched for age and parity, and infant data at birth obtained. The infants were reviewed at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, to assess growth, current nutrition, infection rates and iron status. The main outcome measure was the incidence of iron-deficiency anaemia in the two groups of infants, defined in the study as Hb < 11 g/dl and either plasma ferritin < 12 mcg/l or zinc protoporphyrin > 35 mcg/dl. RESULTS: Iron endowment in cord blood samples appeared similar between the two groups. The incidence of iron-deficiency anaemia was very high in these infants, at 72% by research criteria, (51% if Hb < 10.5 g/dl), but significantly higher in the infants born to anaemic mothers at all stages of the year, with overall incidence of 81% (n = 91), compared to 65% in controls (n = 112). This was not explained by differences in environmental risk factors. Anaemic mothers had not recovered adequate iron status at 6 months' postpartum, with implications for future pregnancy iron demands. CONCLUSIONS: Anaemia during pregnancy compromises the health of mothers in traditional cultures, where women tend to have several children close together after marriage, with an inadequate interval to replenish nutritional stores. Their infants also appear to be at increased risk of developing iron-deficiency anaemia, undetected at birth.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗
PubMed1995

Species composition of sand flies and population dynamics of Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the southern Jordan Valley, an endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The species composition of sand flies and the seasonality of Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli were studied in the southern Jordan Valley from May to November 1992 using CDC light traps. Eleven species of sand flies were recorded, including P. kazeruni Theodor & Mesghali and P. tobbi Adler & Theodor, which are new records for the study area, and Sergentomyia squamipleuris Newstead, which is reported for the first time from Jordan. P. papatasi was the most abundant Phlebotomus species collected from domestic habitats as well as Psammomys obesus Cretzschmar burrows, comprising 89.4 and 99.5% of the total Phlebotomus catches, respectively. The catch of P. papatasi in CDC light traps was compared among domestic habitats, P. obesus burrows in an agriculturally modified semiarid rural habitat, and P. obesus burrows in a natural semiarid rural habitat. Peak P. papatasi abundance occurred in September and October and then declined sharply by late November. The abundance and temporal association of P. papatasi activity with the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the study area pointed to the significance of this sand fly in the transmission of the parasite.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus infections in Jordan.

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, seasonal distribution of RSV, the signs and symptoms associated with it in Jordan. A total of 200 nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from hospitalized children (below 2 years old). RSV was detected in 12.5% of patients using direct immunofluorescence technique. Most infections were associated with bronchilolitis, and higher rates of hypoxemia, retractions, tachypnea, hyperinflation and interstitial infiltrates in 1 to 3 months old children. RSV showed a clear temporal periodicity. The epidemic began in December and disappeared in March with a peak of incidence during February 2003 and January 2004. The seasonal distribution showed a significant correlation with temperature, rainfall and relative humidity. This study provides further information on RSV epidemiology which could help in planning of prevention and control programs in Jordan, distinguishing RSV infections on the basis of the clinical picture and considering RSV between December and March each year.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2002

Breast cancer risk-factor and screening awareness among women nurses and teachers in Amman, Jordan.

Breast cancer awareness studies of women in Jordan do not exist. This study used data from 163 nurses and 178 teachers surveyed in Amman to determine 2 dimensions of breast cancer awareness: general breast cancer awareness, defined as knowledge of risk factors associated with the disease and breast cancer screening awareness, defined as knowledge of breast self-examination and mammography. The survey instrument was based on 2 previously validated knowledge-based questionnaires in the literature (Breast Cancer Knowledge Test and the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Questionnaire). Analysis of covariance indicated that family history was associated with general breast cancer awareness. Profession, age, and family history significantly influenced breast cancer screening awareness. The average percentage of correct responses to general breast cancer awareness was adjusted for select covariates (adjusted means). The adjusted mean general awareness score for nurses was not significantly different from that of teachers (P =.8470). Nurses were more aware than teachers of the importance of breast cancer screening and its techniques. The adjusted mean screening awareness score for nurses was 88.3%, compared with 73.1% for teachers (P <.0001). These results provide important information about the level of breast cancer awareness among women nurses and teachers in Jordan and may be useful for developing future prevention and screening education programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Perspectives on neurosurgical practice: neurosurgery in Jordan.

Neurosurgery as a specialty medical field is new in Jordan. This article documents the history, current status, and projected future of neurosurgery in Jordan. Resident training is also highlighted, and challenges for the future of the profession are presented.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗
PubMed2003

A comparison of population-based cancer incidence rates in Israel and Jordan.

Reliable information about comparative cancer incidence in the Middle East has been lacking. The Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC) has formed a network of population-based registries with standardized basic data. Here the age-adjusted cancer incidences are compared for four populations: Israeli Jews, Israeli non-Jews, Jordanians and the US Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) population, for the years 1996-1997 (Israel) and 1996-1998 (other populations). The all-sites rate of cancer is approximately twice as high in Israeli Jews and SEER, compared with Israeli non-Jews and Jordanians. Rates of lung cancer are similar among Israeli Jews and non-Jews and about twice as high as in Jordanians. Childhood leukaemia rates in Jordan are higher than in Israeli Jews, but lower than SEER. Hodgkin lymphoma rates in Israeli non-Jews and Jordanians are similar to SEER, but non-Hodgkin lymphoma rates are lower than SEER. The previous suspicion of higher overall leukaemia and lymphoma rates in Jordan is thus not confirmed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Self-reported allergy to latex gloves among health care workers in Jordan.

The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of natural rubber latex allergy and its associated factors among health care workers in Jordan based on a self-administered questionnaire. In this cross-sectional study, the data were obtained through a self-reported hand-delivered questionnaire that was distributed to 500 health care workers who use natural rubber latex gloves. A total of 420 (84%) health care workers responded by filling the questionnaire. Of the total number of 420 health care workers who filled the questionnaire, 57 (13.6%) reported allergy to latex gloves. The prevalence of allergy to latex gloves was significantly higher for those who had allergy to some foodstuffs (especially avocado, kiwifruits and chestnuts) or with history of eczema and hay fever. However, allergy to latex gloves was independent of gender, age, job, family history, type of gloves, hours of use/day and number of years of use. It is concluded that a high rate of allergy to latex gloves was reported among health care workers in Jordan.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Horseflies of Jordan.

The horsefly (Diptera: Tabanidae) fauna of Jordan consists of 21 species belonging to seven genera. The present study adds 17 new records to this little-known group of haematophagous insects. Most of the new records were collected from several localities within the Jordan Valley. These new records are Chrysops flavipes Meigen, Atylotus farinosus (Szilády), Dasyrhamphis umbrinus (Meigen), Haematopota coronata Austen, Hybomitra decora (Loew), Hybomitra mendica (Villeneuve), Tabanus accensus Austen, T. albifacies Loew, T. bifarius Loew, T. darimonti Leclercq, T. laetetinctus Becker, T. leleani Austen, T. pallidipes Austen, T. regularis Jaennicke, T. rupinae Austen, T. sufis Jaennicke and Therioplectes tunicatus (Szilády). Tabanus albifacies and T. sufis were the most common species collected by hand nets (19.85% and 17.73%, respectively) and D. umbrinus, Haematopota minuscula Austen, and Haematopota coronata were the least common species (0.12% for each). Zoogeographical analysis of the recorded species showed that 12 species are of Mediterranean origin, four are of Afrotropical origin, two of European origin and at least three species can be considered as endemic to the Middle East.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Precocious puberty at an endocrine centre in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Data from developed countries about precocious puberty are abundant; data from developing countries are limited. Causes are different, and diagnostic and treatment possibilities are very expensive. The present study aimed to display the spectrum of initial presentation and aetiology among children with precocious puberty and to assess any association between th e clinical features and the underlying cause of the condition. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Forty-three girls and seven boys with precocious puberty were diagnosed at the Endocrine Clinic of Jordan University Hospital and at The National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, Amman, Jordan, between the 1984 and 2003. RESULTS: Mean age for the girls with precocious puberty was 4.1 years +/- 2.5 SD and for the boys was 2.4 years +/- 1.9 SD. Among the girls, 21% presented with breast development only, 9% with pubic hair appearance only and 70% with multiple signs. All the boys presented with pubic hair appearance and enlarged genitalia. Organic causes for precocious puberty were detected in 42% of the girls and in all the boys. Idiopathic precocious puberty was more common among the girls presenting with breast development only (89%) compared with those presenting with multiple presenting signs (50%), and also was more common among girls presenting between 6 and 8 years (82%) than among those presenting < 6 years of age (42%). Congenital adrenal hyperplasia was diagnosed in four boys and four girls, and hypothyroidism in three girls. CONCLUSION: Precocious puberty in the girls was usually of idiopathic origin when it presented with breast development only and at age older than 6 years. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia and hypothyroidism could represent important causes for precocious puberty in our community.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1988

The distribution of phlebotomine sandflies in the principal ecological zones of Jordan.

A survey of the sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) of Jordan increased the number of species known from the country from three to thirteen. Composition of the phlebotomine fauna and the relative abundance of sandfly species differ among the six climatic zones, with a general distinction between the dry desert zones and the more humid Mediterranean zones. Species of Phlebotomus predominate in the former and Sergentomyia in the latter. Within the desert zone some species are restricted to the eastern desert and others to the Jordan Valley in the west.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Incrimination of Phlebotomus papatasi as vector of Leishmania major in the southern Jordan Valley.

The status of sandflies as vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the southern Jordan Valley was investigated during 1992. Sandflies were collected from domestic habitats and from burrows of Psammomys obesus. Of 686 Phlebotomus papatasi females collected from burrows, fourteen harboured promastigotes in their guts. On the other hand, none of 1446 P.papatasi females collected from domestic habitats were found infected. The highest infection rate (5.5%) was recorded in November at the end of the sandfly season. Six leishmanial stocks isolated from P.papatasi females were typed by cellulose acetate electrophoresis using the six enzymes G6PDH, 6PGDH, PGI, PGM, FK and ME. Five of the leishmanial stocks were identical to a Leishmania major reference strain (MHOM/SU/73/5-ASKH). The sixth isolate was a 6PGDH variant of L.major. These findings present the first direct evidence of the role of P.papatasi as a vector of L.major in Jordan.

Animals↗