Feasibility of a peer-led, school-based asthma education programme for adolescents in Jordan

The Adolescent Asthma Action programme (Triple A) has been used successfully to promote asthma knowledge, awareness and quality of life in adolescents with asthma in Australia. We describe the feasibility and acceptability of an adaptation of this English-language, peer-led, asthma education programme in a girls' high school in Northern Jordan. The pilot was conducted by bilingual health workers. Feasibility, acceptability and adaptability were measured through participation rates, open-ended questionnaires completed by peer leaders, a focus group for junior students and reflective journal notes. The programme was well-received by staff and students, with high levels of participation. The peer-led approach was viewed positively. Students reported that they enjoyed the interactive learning activities and the opportunity to practise English. The students reported increased asthma knowledge and awareness, with students with asthma reporting receiving more support from peers. A peer-led asthma education programme is feasible and acceptable in the Jordanian school context

Evaluation of maternal and newborn health services in Jordan

Yousef S Khader,1 Mohammad S Alyahya,2 Nihaya A Al-Sheyab,3 Khulood K Shattnawi,4 Hind Rajeh Saqer,5 Anwar Batieha6 1Epidemiology, Medical Education and Biostatistics, Department of Community Medicine, Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 2Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 3Child and Adolescent Health, Allied Medical Sciences Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 4Maternal and Child Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing/WHO Collaborating Center, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 5Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 6Epidemiology Department of Community Medicine, Public Health and Family, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan Objectives: This study aimed to assess the maternal and newborn services in Jordanian hospitals to provide policymakers, health professionals, and researchers with a clear picture about the current status of maternal and newborn health services. Methods: A total of 32 main hospitals that provide maternity services in Jordan were assessed. The study involved direct observations of these hospitals and interviews with basic health and hospital staff, with the purpose of assessing and evaluating the availability of various services for mothers and newborns, availability of resources, equipment and supplies, documentation and staff training, and provision of the health care services. Results: Some hospitals had shortages of obstetricians and gynecologists, pediatricians, neonatologists, and midwives/nurses. Antenatal care was not provided systematically in many hospitals across the country. A lack of necessary equipment, drugs, and supplies was evident in some hospitals. Admission departments of some hospitals had insufficient supplies. The operation theaters in many hospitals lacked a variety of necessary equipment including some basic items such as thermometers and some advanced items such as resuscitation sets for babies. Only two-thirds of all delivery rooms in the selected hospitals had radiant heaters and obstetrical stethoscopes available. A significant lack of neonatal ICU equipment was found such as incubators, resuscitation tables, continuous positive airway pressure, O2 oximeters, and phototherapy. Conclusion: The findings revealed an overall satisfactory quality of maternal and newborn care and services, however, some deficiencies existed. The findings are expected to aid policymakers, health professionals, and researchers to recognize the gaps in the processes, supplies, and quality of care related to the provided services at maternal facilities and help them to design and implement evidence-based health programs in order to provide effective health services and promote the health of mothers and newborns. Keywords: maternal and newborn health services, assessment, quality of care, Jorda

The effect of a “class smoke free pledge” on breath carbon monoxide in Arabic male adolescents

Introduction: Arabic male adolescents have a high smoking prevalence. Introduction of “Class smoke-free” pledges have been successful amongst European adolescents but have not been evaluated using objective valid measures. We tested the impact of adding a smoke free pledge strategy to a proven peer-led asthma and smoking prevention program on breath carbon monoxide level (BCO) in male high-school students in Jordan. Methods: We enrolled male students from four high-schools in Irbid, Jordan. Schools were randomly assigned to receive either TAJ (Triple A in Jordan, n = 218) or TAJ-Plus (with added class smoke-free pledge, n = 215). We hypothesized that students receiving TAJ-Plus would have greater reduction in BCO levels than those only receiving the TAJ intervention. Asthma and smoking status were assessed by self-administered questionnaires. Smoking outcomes were collected using a BCO Monitor. Results: Both groups had significant reductions in BCO levels post-intervention (p p p= .085), asthma status (p = .602), or a combination of the two (p = .702). Conclusions: An added smoke-free pledge strategy to a proven peer-led asthma education program appears to be a promising approach to motivate adolescents to abstain from smoking in Jordan. Future research is required to determine if these results can be extended to Jordanian adolescent females. Implications: A commitment by students via a “class smoke-free” pledge can be an added incentive to motivate adolescents in Arabic-speaking countries to abstain from smoking. Social influence approaches in schools can be useful in countering the aggressive tobacco marketing campaigns targeting Jordanian and other Arabic-speaking youth. The combination of “class smoke-free” pledges and an evidence-based peer-led asthma and smoking education can be implemented in schools to influence adolescents with asthma to abstain from smoking

Feasibility of a peer-led, school-based asthma education programme for adolescents in Jordan

The Adolescent Asthma Action programme (Triple A) has been used successfully to promote asthma knowledge, awareness and quality of life in adolescents with asthma in Australia. We describe the feasibility and acceptability of an adaptation of this English-language, peer-led, asthma education programme in a girls’ high school in Northern Jordan. The pilot was conducted by bilingual health workers. Feasibility, acceptability and adaptability were measured through participation rates, open-ended questionnaires completed by peer leaders, a focus group for junior students and reflective journal notes. The programme was well-received by staff and students, with high levels of participation. The peer-led approach was viewed positively. Students reported that they enjoyed the interactive learning activities and the opportunity to practise English. The students reported increased asthma knowledge and awareness, with students with asthma reporting receiving more support from peers. A peer-led asthma education programme is feasible and acceptable in the Jordanian school context