Knowledge and awareness of the general population and healthcare providers about retinoblastoma: It is time to know the glow.

Retinoblastoma is the most frequent primary intraocular tumour in childhood. Early detection of retinoblastoma is the key to successful management with a higher chance of survival. This study aims to assess the knowledge of the general population and healthcare providers about retinoblastoma in term of presentation, risk factors, timing for diagnosis, and complications. A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted in three Arab countries (Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq) between 28 August and 16 September 2020. The questionnaire tool was constructed based on an extensive literature review to explore the study's aim and objectives. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of better knowledge about retinoblastoma. A total of 3676 participants were involved in the study (Jordan = 2654, Saudi Arabia = 604, and Iraq = 418). The average retinoblastoma knowledge score for the whole study population was 6.25 (SD = 4.12) out of 21, representing 29.8% (out of the maximum possible total score). Participants aged above 50 years old, married individuals, those with a secondary education level, those who work as professionals in industry, those who have more than four children, and those who reported that they were not in direct contact with a large number of children were less likely to be knowledgeable about retinoblastoma presentation, risk factors, the timing for diagnosis, and complications (P < .05). Early detection is the cornerstone for decreasing morbidity and mortality among children with retinoblastoma. However, the awareness and knowledge about retinoblastoma are very limited in our study population. Efforts should be directed at increasing awareness of both the general population and healthcare providers regarding retinoblastoma. Policymakers are responsible for improving knowledge and awareness about retinoblastoma to facilitate early detection of the disease by conducting awareness campaigns in addition to improve screening skills of healthcare providers and providing them with proper screening and diagnostic tools.

Occupational burnout and job satisfaction among physicians in times of COVID-19 crisis: a convergent parallel mixed-method study.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals including physicians were subjected to an increased workload during the COVID-19 crisis, leaving them exposed to significant physical and psychological distress. Therefore, our present study aimed to (i) assess the prevalence of burnout and levels of job satisfaction among physicians in Jordan, and (ii) explore physicians' opinions, experiences, and perceptions during the pandemic crisis. METHODS: This was a mixed-method study that utilized a structured web-based questionnaire and semi-structured individual interviews. The 10-Item Burnout Measure-Short version (BMS), and the 5-Item Short Index of Job Satisfaction (SIJS) were adopted to assess occupational burnout and job satisfaction, respectively. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, based on a conceptual framework that was developed from Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory of Motivation and Job Demands-Resources Model. Descriptive statistics and regression models, as well as inductive thematic analysis, were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 973 survey responses and 11 interviews were included in our analysis. The prevalence of burnout among physicians was (57.7%). Several significant factors were positively associated with burnout, including female gender, working at highly loaded hospitals, working for long hours, doing night shifts, lack of sufficient access to personal protective equipment, and being positively tested for SARS-CoV-2. Regarding job satisfaction, regression analysis revealed that age was positively associated with higher levels of job satisfaction. On contrary, being a general practitioner or specialist, working at highly loaded hospitals, low salaries, and suffering from burnout have predicted lower levels of job satisfaction. Besides, four themes have emerged from the thematic analysis: (i) Work-induced psychological distress during the pandemic, (ii) Decision-driven satisfactory and dissatisfactory experiences, (iii) Impact of the pandemic on doctor-patient communication and professional skills, and (iv) Economic impacts of the pandemic crisis and lockdown. CONCLUSION: A significant physical and psychological burden was associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Reliable efforts should be implemented aiming at protecting physicians' physical and mental wellbeing, enhancing their working conditions, and raising awareness about burnout. Evidence-based decisions and proper utilization of financial and human resources at institutional and national levels are believed to be crucial for the sustainability of the health workforce, especially in crises.

Clinical and Sonographic Evaluation of Postmenopausal Bleeding (PMB) Followed by Diagnostic and/or Therapeutic Hysteroscopy and Guided Biopsy in Jordanian Hospitals.

Background and Objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical sonographic evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) followed by diagnostic and/or therapeutic hysteroscopy and guided biopsy in Jordanian hospitals. Materials and Methods: A retrospective multi-centric study was performed in hospitals in Al-Karak and Amman from 2014-2016. The study recruited 189 cases to evaluate the aetiology of postmenopausal bleeding. Atrophic endometrium was observed as a major cause of postmenopausal bleeding according to histopathology. The cases were also distributed according to parity in which nulliparous patients were observed. Results: Hysteroscopy was observed to be effective for the diagnosis of postmenopausal bleeding. Conclusion: There is a need to assess more approaches for the diagnosis of postmenopausal bleeding among women.

Mental health status of the general population, healthcare professionals, and university students during 2019 coronavirus disease outbreak in Jordan: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of COVID-19 global pandemic coupled with high transmission rate and mortality has created an unprecedented state of emergency worldwide. This global situation may have a negative impact on the psychological well-being of individuals which in turn impacts individuals' performance. This study aims to explore the prevalence of depression and anxiety among the GP, HCPs, and USs during COVID-19 outbreak, and to identify key population(s) who might need psychological intervention. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted in Jordan between 22 and 28 March 2020 to explore the mental health status (depression and anxiety) of the general population, healthcare professionals, and university students during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) were used to assess depression and anxiety among the study participants. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of depression and anxiety. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression and anxiety among the entire study participants was 23.8% and 13.1%, respectively. Anxiety was most prevalent across university students 21.5%, followed by healthcare professionals 11.3%, and general population 8.8%. Females among healthcare professionals and university students, divorced healthcare professionals, pulmonologists, and university students with history of chronic disease were at higher risk of developing depression. Females, divorced participants among the general population, and university students with history of chronic disease and those with high income (≥1,500 JD) were at higher risk of developing anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: During outbreaks, individuals are put under extreme stressful condition resulting in higher risk of developing anxiety and depression particularly for students and healthcare professionals. Policymakers and mental healthcare providers are advised to provide further mental support to these vulnerable groups during this pandemic.

Polimorfismos de la metilenotetrahidrofolato reductasa C677T como factor de riesgo para el síndrome de ovario poliquístico en una muestra de mujeres jordanas / Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T Polymorphisms as a Risk Factor for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in a Sample of Jordanian Women

Antecedentes: el síndrome de ovario poliquístico (SOP) es un trastorno endocrino reproductivo común, se puede identificar por hiperandrogenismo, oligomenorrea o anovulación y ovarios poliquísticos en la ecografía. Los polimorfismos de la metilentetrahidrofolato reductasa (MTHFR) C677T asociados con la hiperhomocisteinemia se encuentran entre los factores de riesgo del síndrome de ovario poliquístico. Objetivo: El presente estudio de casos y controles tiene como objetivo explorar la relación entre los polimorfismos C677T de la metilenotetrahidrofolato reductasa (MTHFR) como factor de riesgo y el síndrome de ovario poliquístico entre los pacientes jordanos que padecen esta enfermedad. Métodos: Se inscribieron en el estudio 306 sujetos (146 pacientes con SOP y 160 sujetos sanos como grupo de control). Se extrajo ADN de una muestra de sangre venosa extraída de cada participante para analizar los polimorfismos de MTHFR C677T utilizando la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) en combinación con digestión con enzima de restricción (PCRRFLP). Posteriormente, los productos de PCR-RFLP se digirieron con la enzima HinfI, luego se sometieron a electroforesis en un gel de agarosa al 2%, se tiñeron y se examinaron bajo luz ultravioleta. Los niveles de homocisteína en plasma se analizaron utilizando el método ELISA. Resultados: Se observó una diferencia significativa en los niveles plasmáticos de homocisteína entre los pacientes con SOP frente a los sujetos de control y entre los diferentes polimorfismos de los pacientes con SOP. No se detectaron diferencias significativas en la distribución y frecuencia alélica de los polimorfismos MTHFR C677T en pacientes con SOP en comparación con los controles. El genotipo 677 / TT y el alelo T se asociaron con un aumento de 1,54 y 1,46 veces en la susceptibilidad al síndrome de ovario poliquístico. Conclusión: El estudio ha demostrado que el polimorfismo MTHFR T677T y el alelo T son posibles factores de riesgo de SOP entre las mujeres jordanas y pueden desempeñar un papel en la patogenia de la enfermedad

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine reproductive disorder, it can be identified by hyperandrogenism, oligomenorrhea or anovulation and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphisms associated with hyperhomocysteinemia are among the risk factors for PCOS. Objective: The present case control study aims to explore the relationship between Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphisms as a risk factor and PCOS among Jordanian patients suffering from this disease. Methods: 306 subjects (146 PCOS patients and 160 healthy subjects as a control group) were enrolled in the study. DNA was extracted from venous blood sample withdrawn from each participant for analyzing MTHFR C677T polymorphisms using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in combination with restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Later, PCR-RFLP products were digested with hinfI enzyme, then, electrophoresed on a 2% agarose gel, stained and examined under UV light. Plasma homocysteine levels were assayed using ELISA method. Results: A significant difference was observed in plasma homocysteine levels among PCOS patients versus the control subjects and in between the different polymorphisms of PCOS patients. No significant difference was detected in the distribution and allelic frequency of MTHFR C677T polymorphisms in PCOS patients compared to the controls. 677/TT genotype and T allele were associated with 1.54 and 1.46 folds increase in the susceptibility for PCOS. Conclusion: The study has shown that MTHFR T677T polymorphism and T allele are possible risk factors for PCOS among Jordanian women and may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.