Background: This roundtable focused on the challenge of reaching zero-dose children in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) amid declining immunization rates and increasing health disparities. ‘Zero-dose’ children are concentrated in high-conflict or underserved areas, such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Yemen, making them particularly vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. This discussion convened key stakeholders, including public health experts, EPI managers, and representatives from organizations like WHO, Gavi, and CDC, to explore effective, sustainable solutions for reducing ‘zero-dose’ prevalence in the EMR.Purpose: The roundtable aimed to assess regional barriers to immunization, examine country-specific initiatives to reach ‘zero-dose’ children, and recommend targeted strategies that align with global immunization goals, such as the Immunization Agenda 2030.Method: Through expert presentations, panel discussions, and participant interaction, attendees analyzed key causes of ‘zero-dose’ prevalence, focusing on conflict-related disruptions, health system fragility, and socioeconomic challenges. Comparative insights were drawn from other regions, highlighting adaptable solutions from Sub-Saharan Africa and other high-burden areas.Results: Findings indicated that conflicts, infrastructure limitations, and social barriers are major drivers of low vaccination rates. Approximately 2.85 million ‘zero-dose’ children were identified in the EMR, primarily concentrated in a few high-burden countries. Country-specific efforts, such as the “Big Catch-Up” campaign, were acknowledged for their impact, but gaps in sustainable funding and operational capacity remain. Strategies focusing on community engagement, data-driven microplanning, and integration of immunization with broader health services were recommended to overcome access challenges.Conclusion: To reach ‘zero-dose’ children, coordinated, tailored approaches are essential. Community-driven microplanning and enhanced political and financial support can bolster immunization efforts in fragile settings. The roundtable underscored the role of primary health systems in addressing vaccination gaps, contributing to universal health coverage, and fostering resilience in conflict-affected areas. Future policies should prioritize collaboration among sectors, sustainable funding, and innovative outreach to achieve immunization equity across the EMR.

Keywords: Knowledge; Attitudes; Practices; Salt intake.

High salt consumption is a worldwide public health problem, and its magnitude varies considerably among different communities. This study aimed to assess Jordanian adults’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to salt intake and to examine how these domains differed between genders. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted using a multi-stage sampling technique to select a representative sample from the population of Amman, Jordan. Data were collected through a structured, validated questionnaire administered by trained interviewers between November and December 2021. The findings indicate that the majority of participants (70.8%) did not know the maximum recommended daily salt intake and reported not reading food labels when purchasing food. Almost half of the participants (48.2%) reported always adding salt while cooking, and 14.6% reported always adding table salt after cooking. The most commonly reported practices to reduce salt intake included using spices other than salt while cooking (67.2%) and avoiding or reducing the consumption of salt-rich foods. Significant gender differences were observed in knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward salt intake. Females demonstrated greater awareness of recommended salt intake and associated health risks, and were more likely to engage in practices aimed at reducing salt consumption, such as avoiding high-salt foods and using alternatives in cooking. In contrast, males were more likely to report misconceptions, limited use of food labels, and higher engagement in unhealthy practices such as daily smoking and lower awareness of low-salt alternatives. In conclusion, this study showed that Jordanian adults have relatively limited knowledge about salt intake, and their practices regarding salt consumption are inappropriate. Therefore, there is a need to adopt long-term strategies to reduce salt intake among the Jordanian population and mitigate its negative impacts on community health.