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Murshidi R, Bani Hamad S, Al Refaei A, Shewaikani N, Shaf'ei M, Alshoubaki SN, Haddad TA, Khasawneh T, Fkheideh T, Abdallat M. A novel predictive method for risk stratification in acne patients receiving isotretinoin: an analysis of laboratory abnormalities and changes in inflammatory parameters. J DERMATOL TREAT 2024; 35:2301435. [PMID: 38186323 DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2023.2301435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Isotretinoin is a widely used, effective medication for moderate to severe acne. It is typically used for several months, which necessitates regular laboratory monitoring. However, consensus on the optimal assessment frequency is lacking. METHOD This is a single-center retrospective study on 1182 patients who received isotretinoin for acne at the Dermatology Clinic in Jordan University Hospital over 5 years. RESULTS Of the 1182 patients, 892 (76.57% females) met the inclusion criteria. An increase in the proportion of patients with abnormal triglycerides and total cholesterol levels from baseline to the sixth month was observed (p < 0.05). Conversely, differences in the number of patients with abnormal AST, ALT, and CBC were not found throughout treatment (p > 0.05). Moreover, there was a decrease in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ratio and systemic inflammatory index (SII) after the sixth month of isotretinoin treatment compared to the baseline (p = 0.012 and p = 0.021, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We found that a baseline cholesterol level of 163.9 mg/dl and a baseline triglycerides level of 85.5 mg/dL are highly specific and sensitive in detecting grade 1 abnormalities at the one-month follow-up. This novel prediction approach serves as an effective risk stratification method for isotretinoin acne patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rand Murshidi
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Salsabiela Bani Hamad
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | | | | | - Moayad Shaf'ei
- Department of Special Surgery, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Tala A Haddad
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Taima Fkheideh
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mahmoud Abdallat
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
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Abdulfattah S, Ahmad AR, Kitaneh R, Alsharaydeh T, Almudallal F, Alzoubi R, Abbadi R, Haddad TA, Wazaify M, Alkayed Z, Bani Mustafa R, Tetrault JM. Nonmedical Use of Stimulants Among Students in Jordan: A Nationwide Study. J Addict Med 2024:01271255-990000000-00303. [PMID: 38587298 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Nonmedical use (NMU) of stimulants is an increasingly common phenomenon worldwide. Motivated by enhancing academic performance, peer pressure, and seeking pleasure, students in the Middle East are thought to be a high-risk population. This is especially important in times when the political instability in the region facilitates the production and trafficking of such substances. This study aimed to unveil the burden of NMU of stimulants and examine associated correlates among senior high school and university students in Jordan. METHODS We describe a cross-sectional study of senior high school and university students in Jordan assessing NMU of stimulants. Data were collected between January and April of 2022 through a survey, which was distributed online leading to a google forms page. The survey queried sociodemographic characteristics, history of NMU of stimulants, use of other illicit substances, attitudes toward NMU of stimulants, as well as a mental health assessment. RESULTS A total of 8739 students completed the survey (mean age of 20.40 ± 2.45 years), of which 5.1% reported a lifetime NMU of stimulants. Fenethylline (Captagon) was the most widely reported stimulant (2.6%). Living in the southern region, being diagnosed with a personality disorder, and using concomitant illicit substances were associated with the NMU of stimulants. CONCLUSIONS The NMU of CNS stimulants, especially fenethylline, is prevalent in Jordan. More surveillance ought to be heeded toward the southern borders of Jordan. Students who use stimulants for academic reasons must be made aware of the potential consequences of the NMU of stimulants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadan Abdulfattah
- From the Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan (SA, ARA, TAH, FA, RA, RA, TH); Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (RK); Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT (RK); Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan (MW); Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (MW); Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan (ZA, RB); and Program in Addiction Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (JMT)
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Al Karmi J, Alshrouf MA, Haddad TA, Alhanbali AE, Raiq NA, Ghanem H, Ibrahim OB, Khamis T, Muhaidat N. Urinary and reproductive tract infection symptoms and menstrual hygiene practices in refugee camps in Jordan: A cross-sectional study. Womens Health (Lond) 2024; 20:17455057241240920. [PMID: 38576125 PMCID: PMC10996361 DOI: 10.1177/17455057241240920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urinary tract infections and reproductive tract infections pose significant health risks, particularly among women living in challenging conditions. Unhygienic menstrual practices can exacerbate these risks, impacting physical and psychological well-being. OBJECTIVES This study assessed the association between unhygienic menstrual care and self-reported urinary tract infection/reproductive tract infection symptoms among refugee women. In addition, it explored the association between these symptoms and mental health, specifically depressive symptoms. DESIGN This study adopted a cross-sectional observational design. METHODS This study was conducted between January and March 2023, involving 387 reproductive-age refugee women. Data collected included sociodemographic information and urinary tract infection/reproductive tract infection symptoms. In addition, we used the Menstrual Practice Needs Scale to evaluate menstrual hygiene practices and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depressive symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed using Python version 3.9.12. RESULTS Of 387 refugee women, 92.25% reported having urinary or reproductive tract infection symptoms in the previous 3 months. Factors like older age (odds ratio = 1.764, 95% confidence interval = 1.083-2.873, p-value = 0.023), lower family income (odds ratio = 0.327, 95% confidence interval = 0.138-0.775, p-value = 0.011), lower educational level (odds ratio = 0.222, 95% confidence interval = 0.068-0.718, p-value = 0.012), and being married (odds ratio = 0.328, 95% confidence interval = 0.188-0.574, p-value < 0.001) were significantly associated with urinary or reproductive tract infection risk. Difficulties obtaining menstrual products and thus reusing them increased the odds of urinary or reproductive tract infection diagnosis (odds ratio = 2.452, 95% confidence interval = 1.497-4.015, p-value < 0.001). Women with urinary or reproductive tract infection symptoms exhibited higher Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores than those without (12.14 ± 5.87 vs 9.99 ± 5.86, p-value < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION This study highlights a high prevalence of urinary or reproductive tract infection symptoms among refugee women residing in camps in Jordan, which was associated with poor menstrual hygiene practices and depressive symptoms. To reduce the urinary tract infection/reproductive tract infection burden in marginalized communities, public health initiatives should enhance healthcare accessibility, provide reproductive education, and promote holistic well-being practices for refugee women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joud Al Karmi
- Medical Internship, Jordan University Hospital, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mohammad Ali Alshrouf
- Medical Internship, Jordan University Hospital, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Tala A Haddad
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Neven Amer Raiq
- Medical Internship, Jordan University Hospital, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Hadeel Ghanem
- Medical Internship, Jordan University Hospital, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Omar Bassam Ibrahim
- Medical Internship, Jordan University Hospital, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Tala Khamis
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Nadia Muhaidat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
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AL-Iede M, Khanfar AN, Alshrouf MA, Azzam MI, Haddad TA, Khanfar ON, Al-Tarawneh ZM, Aleidi SM. Parents' attitude towards pneumococcal vaccine: an online survey from Jordan. J Int Med Res 2022; 50:3000605221128151. [PMID: 36200323 PMCID: PMC9537490 DOI: 10.1177/03000605221128151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In developing countries, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) has not been incorporated into the national immunization schedule, and the vaccination rate is low. This study aimed to examine parental knowledge, attitudes, and barriers to children receiving the PCV in Jordan. METHODS This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. The online survey was written in Arabic and consisted of three main sections. The questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. RESULTS In total, 720 responses were analyzed. Only 149 (20.7%) of the parents' children were vaccinated with the PCV. However, almost half 356 (49.4%) of the respondents were willing to vaccinate their children. Most (563, 78.1%) parents stated that the vaccine would protect their children from pneumococcal disease. More than two thirds (516, 71.6%) of them strongly agreed or agreed that the cost of the PCV is high. Parents who had vaccinated their children had a higher monthly income than parents who had not vaccinated their children. CONCLUSIONS This study shows a lack of knowledge regarding pneumococcal infection and the PCV among Jordanian parents. This is the main barrier to vaccinating children. Therefore, improving parental knowledge would increase the rate of vaccination among Jordanian children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montaha AL-Iede
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Department
of Pediatrics, Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan,School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman,
Jordan,Montaha AL-Iede, Department of Pediatrics,
School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Queen Rania Street, Amman-Jordan
11942. ;
| | | | | | | | - Tala A. Haddad
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman,
Jordan
| | - Omar N. Khanfar
- School of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology,
Irbid, Jordan
| | | | - Shereen M. Aleidi
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of
Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
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Abdullah M, Shahait AD, Qaisieh R, Al-Ramahi M, Bader G, AbuRajab MO, Haddad TA, Al-Omari AY, Bani Issa MS, Bader T, Bani Ahmad S, Hani H, Hani H, AlNsour AA, Abdin B, Wleidat R. Perspectives on COVID-19 Vaccines and Its Hesitancy Among Jordanian Population. Cureus 2022; 14:e26337. [PMID: 35911329 PMCID: PMC9315990 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.26337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Since the spread of the COVID-19 virus, governments are putting significant resources into ending the pandemic. Vaccination arises as the best solution to get back to our everyday lives. However, we are now facing vaccine hesitancy, which is a critical problem. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 15, 2020, and March 1, 2021, using a validated online-based questionnaire; participants were compared using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program based on multiple factors. Results A total of 1607 participants throughout Jordan have responded to the questionnaire, among which 880 (54.8%) have bachelor's degrees, 236 (14.7%) have a high educational level (master and doctoral), and 491 (30.5%) have a diploma or less. Although this is a non-probable sample, it is not a representative sample as, according to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), only 33.6% of the Jordan population have a tertiary education. Overall, 892 (55.5%) of the studied subjects had the intention to take the vaccine, distributed as follows: 156 (66.1%) of the high educational participants wanted to take the vaccine, compared to 512 (58.2%) of those who have bachelor’s degree and 224 (45.6%) of those who have diploma or less (p < 0.001). Reading scientific articles talking about the vaccines and their effects (55.6%, p < 0.001), knowing the mechanism of action (45.2%, p = 0.007), getting proper medical advice (27.2%, p < 0.001), encouraged by the increasing number of infections and deaths (39.7%, p < 0.001), and the number of people who received the vaccine (16.1%, p < 0.001) were the most critical factors that played a role in taking the vaccine by all of the studied groups. Male gender (OR = 2.02; 95% CI = 1.54-2.64; p < 0.001), high income of more than 1000 JDs (1400 USD) (OR = 3.23; 95% CI = 2.21-4.71; p < 0.001), having an educational level of either high education (OR = 3.39; 95% CI = 2.07-5.55; p < 0.001) or bachelor degree (OR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.25-2.24; p = 0.001), and being encouraged by the increasing number of infections and deaths caused by COVID-19 (OR = 1.97; 95% CI = 1.46-2.66; p < 0.001) were all significantly associated with the willingness to take the vaccine. Conclusion As the world rushes toward vaccination to end the pandemic, efforts are needed to end this phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy by enlightening people with the precise knowledge regarding the vaccine's mechanism of action, side effects, and efficacy focusing mainly on people with lower educational levels.
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Toubasi AA, Hasuneh MM, Al Karmi JS, Haddad TA, Kalbouneh HM. Burnout Among University Students During Distance Learning Period due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross Sectional Study at the University of Jordan. Int J Psychiatry Med 2022; 58:263-283. [PMID: 35699147 PMCID: PMC9198562 DOI: 10.1177/00912174221107780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The COVID-19 pandemic led to a deviation from classical face-to-face learning to distance learning. Few studies examined burnout among university students during the distance learning period due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study that aims to investigate the prevalence of burnout among university students during distance learning and the factors associated with it. METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at the University of Jordan. The modified version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory for students (MBI-SS) was used to assess burnout. RESULTS The total number of participants was 587 and the mean total of MBI-SS score was 63.34 ± 8.85. Based on the MBI-SS definition, 6.6% of the study participants were found to have symptoms of burnout. Practicing hobbies, level of satisfaction with distance learning, and thoughts about quitting courses were significant predictors of burnout. CONCLUSION This study showed a relatively low prevalence of burnout among students during the distance learning period with several factors associated with it. As a result, identifying these factors will help both students and educational institutions to implement strategies that are needed for the primary and secondary prevention of burnout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad A. Toubasi
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of
Jordan, Jordan,Ahmad A. Toubasi, Faculty of Medicine, The
University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan, Email Address:
| | | | | | | | - Heba M. Kalbouneh
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of
Medicine, The University of
Jordan, Jordan
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Haddad TA, Ghosh A, Salinas SR. Tricritical behavior in deterministic aperiodic ising systems. Phys Rev E Stat Phys Plasmas Fluids Relat Interdiscip Topics 2000; 62:7773-7. [PMID: 11138052 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.62.7773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2000] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We use a mixed-spin model, with aperiodic ferromagnetic exchange interactions and crystalline fields, to investigate the effects of deterministic geometric fluctuations on first-order transitions and tricritical phenomena. The interactions and the crystal-field parameters are distributed according to some two-letter substitution rules. From a Migdal-Kadanoff real-space renormalization-group calculation, which turns out to be exact on a suitable hierarchical lattice, we show that the effects of aperiodicity are qualitatively similar for tricritical and simple critical behavior. In particular, the fixed point associated with tricritical behavior becomes fully unstable beyond a certain threshold dimension (which depends on the aperiodicity), and is replaced by a two-cycle that controls a weakened and temperature-depressed tricritical singularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- TA Haddad
- Instituto de Fisica, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Caixa Postal 66318, 05315-970, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Haddad TA, Pinho ST, Salinas SR. Universal critical behavior of aperiodic ferromagnetic models. Phys Rev E Stat Phys Plasmas Fluids Relat Interdiscip Topics 2000; 61:3330-3333. [PMID: 11088106 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.61.3330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/1999] [Revised: 09/22/1999] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the effects of geometric fluctuations, associated with aperiodic exchange interactions, on the critical behavior of q-state ferromagnetic Potts models on generalized diamond hierarchical lattices. For layered exchange interactions according to some two-letter substitutional sequences, and irrelevant geometric fluctuations, the exact recursion relations in parameter space display a nontrivial diagonal fixed point that governs the universal critical behavior. For relevant fluctuations, this fixed point becomes fully unstable, and we show the apperance of a two-cycle, which is associated with a novel critical behavior. We use scaling arguments to calculate the critical exponent alpha of the specific heat, which turns out to be different from the value for the uniform case. We check the scaling predictions by a direct numerical analysis of the singularity of the thermodynamic free energy. The agreement between scaling and direct calculations is excellent for stronger singularities (large values of q). The critical exponents do not depend on the strengths of the exchange interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- TA Haddad
- Instituto de Fisica, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Caixa Postal 66318, 05315-970, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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