Background: Sexual reproductive health (SRH) is an important aspect of human life, especially in the younger age groups. Young adults are the most vulnerable group to SRH consequences, as they have limited access to its information and services. This is one of the earliest studies conducted to examine the knowledge of SRH among female university students in Jordan. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of SRH among female Jordanian university students and to determine the social and individual factors that may affect this knowledge.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) represent a spectrum of heterogeneous birth anomalies characterized by the incomplete closure of the neural tube. In Jordan, NTDs are estimated to occur in approximately one out of every 1000 live births. Timely identification of NTDs during the 18-22 weeks of gestation period offers parents various management options, including intrauterine NTD repair and termination of pregnancy (TOP). This study aims to assess and compare parental knowledge and perceptions of these management modalities between parents of affected children and those with healthy offspring. This retrospective case-control study was conducted at Jordan University Hospital (JUH) using telephone-administered questionnaires. Categorical variables were summarized using counts and percentages, while continuous variables were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The association between exposure variables and outcomes was explored using binary logistic regression. Data analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows version 26 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). The study sample comprised 143 participants, with 49.7% being parents of children with NTDs. The majority of NTD cases were associated with unplanned pregnancies, lack of folic acid supplementation, and postnatal diagnosis. Concerning parental knowledge of TOP in Jordan, 86% believed it to be legally permissible in certain situations. However, there was no statistically significant difference between cases and controls regarding attitudes toward TOP. While the majority of parents with NTD-affected children (88.7%) expressed a willingness to consider intrauterine surgery, this percentage decreased significantly (to 77.6%) after receiving detailed information about the procedure's risks and benefits (p = .013). This study represents the first case-control investigational study in Jordan focusing on parental perspectives regarding TOP versus intrauterine repair of myelomeningocele following a diagnosis of an NTD-affected fetus. Based on our findings, we urge the implementation of a national and international surveillance program for NTDs, assessing the disease burden, facilitating resource allocation toward prevention strategies, and promoting early diagnosis initiatives either by using newly suggested diagnostic biomarkers or early Antenatal ultrasonography.

Introduction: Medical education is the foundation of knowledge among medical students. This study aims to investigate the knowledge of medical students at Al-Balqa Applied University, exploring their awareness of five communicable diseases, namely, leishmaniasis, hepatitis B, tuberculosis, measles, and cholera. Methods: This cross-sectional survey included 271 participants who answered a structured validated questionnaire with varying questions on causes, symptoms, complications, transmission routes, and preventive measures for each disease. Results: Knowledge of all five communicable diseases was low. Leishmaniasis knowledge was notably low (mean=6.07, SD=1.43), with participants grappling with misconceptions about transmission modes, symptoms, and preventability. Hepatitis B knowledge was also low (mean=10.46, SD=1.67), especially regarding transmission modes, revealing that 76% of students were unaware of how the virus spreads. Tuberculosis knowledge unveiled gaps (mean=7.007, SD=1.90), particularly in recognizing the causes, symptoms, and transmission routes. Measles knowledge (mean=9.56, SD=1.92) indicated a robust understanding of symptoms but unveiled misconceptions about complications and transmission routes. For cholera (mean=14.50, SD=1.98), a knowledge of symptoms was demonstrated, but confusion about causative agents, transmission routes, and preventive measures was highlighted. Conclusion: The findings of the study emphasize the critical need for enhanced educational strategies including curriculum revisions, increased practical exposure, engaging awareness campaigns, and the integration of interactive learning methods to increase knowledge about communicable diseases.

Congenital ichthyosis is a term used to describe a number of underlying genodermatoses that signify abnormalities of the fetal skin. Newborns with collodion, an uncommon kind of congenital ichthyosis, have severe clinical difficulties that raise their mortality risk. In this case report, a full-term male baby with the appearance of a translucent collodion membrane covering his entire body is described. The infant developed systemic complications, which required intense neonatal care. Collodion newborns are a rare occurrence that can be treated with supportive care and identified quite accurately using invasive prenatal testing. This case report aims to address this issue and highlights the importance of early diagnosis, multidisciplinary management, and supportive care in improving outcomes.

This study aimed to evaluate medical students’ hand hygiene knowledge at Balqa Applied University. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the World Health Organization Hand Hygiene Knowledge Questionnaire for Health-Care Workers. Knowledge scores were calculated based on correct responses, and independent-samples t-tests were used to examine differences in knowledge scores between groups. A total of 292 medical students participated. The mean knowledge score was 14.5 ± 2.7 out of 25. Most students demonstrated moderate knowledge (70.9%), while 24.0% had poor knowledge and 5.5% had good knowledge. Knowledge scores did not differ significantly by sex, medical year, or routine use of alcohol-based handrub (p > 0.05). However, students who had received formal hand hygiene training or education achieved significantly higher scores (p = 0.023). Overall, medical students demonstrated a moderate level of hand hygiene knowledge, and formal training or education was associated with better knowledge, emphasizing the value of incorporating hand hygiene education and training into medical curricula.