Exploring coping strategies among caregivers of children who have survived paediatric cancer in Jordan.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the coping strategies of caregivers of children who have survived paediatric cancer in Jordan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional survey design and convenient sampling. The sample included 102 caregivers of children who have survived cancer, and outcome measures included the Arabic-translated Brief COPE, and caregiver and child demographic and condition questionnaire. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, analysis of frequencies, Spearman-rank order correlations and linear regression. RESULTS: Caregivers most frequently used religion coping (mean=6.42, SD=1.85), followed by acceptance (mean=5.95, SD=1.96) and planning (mean=5.05, SD=1.94). The least used coping strategies were humour (mean=2.98, SD=1.24) and behavioural disengagement as coping strategies (mean=3.01, SD=1.42). Having a female child predicted more self-distraction utilisation (ß=0.265, p=0.007). CONCLUSION: Caregivers of children who have survived cancer in Jordan frequently use passive coping strategies like religion and acceptance coping to overcome daily life stressors. Caregivers might benefit from psychosocial occupational therapy interventions to support their engagement in more active or problem-focused coping strategies.

Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and associated factors affecting emergency medical services professionals in Jordan: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Emergency medical services (EMSs) personnel are at high risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). However, no studies have yet investigated the prevalence and effect of these disorders on the Jordanian EMS personnel. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of WMSDs among Jordanian EMS personnel and its associated factors. DESIGN: This study used a cross-sectional design. Participants were asked to complete a self-administrated and validated questionnaire to measure the WMSDs, including a demographic survey and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were used. SETTING: The Jordanian Civil Defence stations in the main cities of Jordan. PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 435 EMS workers which were obtained across the country of Jordan. A total of 79.0% of the participants were male, with a mean age of 27.9 (±4.3 SD) years. RESULTS: The pain in the lower back (308, 70.8%) and neck (252, 57.9%) were the most reported in the last 12 months. Furthermore, about half of the participants reported having pain in their upper back (234, 53.8%), knee (227, 52.2%) and shoulder (226, 52.0%) pain in the last 12 months. Overall, WMSDs in at least one body part were significantly associated with age, experience, being a male, increased body mass index and lower educational level. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among EMS personnel. Multiple variables may be incorporated into a national prevention campaign and professional development programme to educate EMS personnel on avoiding WMSDs.

Predictors and prevalence of lower quadrant work-related musculoskeletal disorders among hospital-based nurses: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) represent a significant problem for nurses. It is thus important to investigate nurses' WMSDs prevalence and comprehensive predictors including motor, mental, and lifestyle factors. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and predictors of lower quadrant WMSDs among Jordanian nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional design, using self-administered questionnaires, was utilized. Outcome measures included Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), sociodemographic data, and self-reported work ergonomics. Descriptive analyses were used to determine lower quadrant WMSDs prevalence and regression analyses were used to assess their predictors. RESULTS: A total of 597 nurses participated in the study. Twelve-month prevalence of lower quadrant WMSDs were 77.4% in lower back, 22.3% in hips, 37.5% in knees, and 28.5% in ankles and feet. Older age, longer years of experience, high workload, poor work habits and ergonomics, high physical activity level, availability of patient handling equipment, handling policies, stress, and anxiety were significant predictors (p< 0.05) of lower quadrant WMSDs. CONCLUSIONS: Jordanian nurses have a high prevalence of lower quadrant WMSDs. Many modifiable risk factors of WMSDs were identified. Future studies need to design effective treatment and preventive strategies for nurses' WMSDs to improve their work efficiency and wellbeing.

Field Studies on Amyloodiniosis in Red Sea Cultured Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) and Hamour (Epinephelus polyphekadion).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Amyloodinium ocellatum infects the gills and skin of both marine and brackish water fishes. The aim of the present study was to examine pathogenesis, prevalence, trials for treatment and histopathological alterations of Amyloodinosis in naturally infested Asian Seabass Barramundi Lates calcarifer and Hamour Epinephelus polyphekadion in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 1447 Red Sea cultured Seabass (Lates calcarifer) broadstock and a total number of 53 Red Sea cultured Hamour, Epinephelus polyphekadion broadstock were collected and subjected for the study. Fishes showed symptoms of sudden death and respiratory distress besides Amyloodiniosis on gills and skin. All fishes were treated with various treatment protocols while gills of naturally infected fishes were examined histopathologically. RESULTS: The clinical signs of infested fishes were flashing, surfacing, off food and respiratory distress. The intensity of infestation of Amyloodiniosis was more sever in Asian Seabass than Epinephelus polyphekadion while treatment of choice was copper sulphate (prolonged bath), freshwater bath and formalin consequently. CONCLUSION: Treatment of choice for Amyloodinium ocellatum infestation in Asian Seabass was copper sulphate (prolonged bath) followed by freshwater bath then formalin.

Relationship Between Sensory Processing and Participation in Daily Occupations for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of Studies That Used Dunn's Sensory Processing Framework.

Research measuring sensory processing in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has shown variability in terms of measures used and participant ages, contributing to difficulty in interpreting and summarizing the findings of these studies. In an attempt to clarify the status of the literature, we conducted a systematic review of studies that focused on participation in daily occupations and evaluated sensory processing in children with ASD aged 5-13 yr using Dunn's sensory processing framework. Evidence from 7 studies shows that sensory processing has a significant impact on participation in daily life of children with ASD. Included studies demonstrated medium and low levels of evidence. Additional research using more robust scientific methods is needed.

Effect of cadmium toxicity on Vertebrates.

This short article reviews the effect of the toxicity of the heavy metal, cadmium, which, as a contaminant of freshwater, is a threat to human health and can cause itai-itai disease.

The relationship between children's sensory processing patterns and their leisure preferences and participation patterns.

BACKGROUND: Sensory processing patterns may be associated with children's preferences for different activities; however, knowledge about how different sensory processing patterns may relate to children's participation in leisure activities is scarce. PURPOSE: This study investigated in what leisure activities children with extreme sensory processing patterns participate and if relationships exist between children's sensory processing patterns and their leisure preferences and participation patterns. METHOD: This correlational study analyzed data from children's Sensory Profiles and reported play and leisure preferences. All 91 children in the sample completed the Children's Assessment for Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) and the Preferences for Activities of Children (PAC). Parents of children ages 6 to 10 years completed the Sensory Profile, and children ages 11 to 14 years completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile. FINDINGS: Children with different sensory processing patterns preferred both similar and distinct leisure activities. Low-registration quadrant summary z scores negatively correlated with CAPE overall diversity scores (rs=-.23, p=.03), sensitivity quadrant summary z scores negatively correlated with preferences for social activities (rs=-.23, p=.03) and preferences for skill-based activities (rs=-.22, p=.04), and avoiding quadrant summary z scores negatively correlated with preferences for social activities (rs=-.26, p=.01). IMPLICATIONS: Children's sensory preferences are related to leisure preferences and participation.