Laila Al-Omari’s research while affiliated with Al-Ahliyya Amman University and other places

Objectives Kidney diseases are considered silent killers due to the lack of well-defined symptoms. Public knowledge about chronic kidney disease (CKD) management has been shown to decrease the risk of CKD onset and progression to end-stage renal disease and renal failure. The main objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of kidney function, CKD symptoms, etiology, prevention and treatment in the general population. Methods A cross-sectional study using a validated questionnaire was conducted in Jordan to assess public knowledge of CKD. Public knowledge of CKD was assessed using a questionnaire consisting of 32 knowledge questions, including risk factors, symptoms, treatment, protective measures and kidney function. The knowledge level was classified according to the total score: poor (0–50%), intermediate (51–70%) and good/high (71–100%). Multiple regression analysis was performed to compare knowledge scores (KS) and predict associations with the participants’ baseline characteristics. Results The level of knowledge about CKD among the 2181 participants was intermediate. The KS was significantly higher among participants with health issues such as hypertension, diabetes and heart problems, first-degree relatives working in the medical field, majors relevant to health, married, employed, highly educated, high-income and smokers. The main sources of knowledge about CKD were health professionals, TV shows, books and magazines. Multiple regression analysis showed an association between KS and age, sex, functional status, educational level and field, income, smoking status, having a family member/spouse work in the medical field, and knowledge source. Conclusions The public level of knowledge about CKD management is greatly influenced by participants’ health and social factors. Thus, improving public knowledge and perception through education and the media will significantly reduce CKD prevalence and incidence.

Background Organ donation entails saving or transforming lives through the provision of organs, either from living donors or deceased individuals. In Jordan, low donation rates are attributed to religious misconceptions, limited education and insufficient awareness of the burden on patients with organ failure. Objectives To investigate the attitudes of the Jordanian population towards the practicality and effectiveness of introducing an opt-out organ donation system through legislative measures, with the aim of increasing donation rates. Design This cross-sectional study used a designed self-administered questionnaire. Data were subsequently analysed using IBM SPSS software. Setting The study encompassed all 12 cities located in Jordan. Participants Data were collected from 1146 Jordanian participants, excluding individuals under the age of 18. Results Approximately 36.6% reported organ or blood donation while 18.9% participated in awareness campaigns. Many (75.7%) perceived insufficient awareness about the importance of organ donation, and 67.1% noted a scarcity of online donor registration platforms. Only 12.0% of participants discussed organ donation with healthcare providers. As anticipated, only 9.0% were registered donors while 67.7% expressed acceptance of organ donation, with 55.3% willing to enrol in donor programmes. Religion influenced 54.2% of organ donation decisions. There are associations between agreement for a new enactment and prior organ or blood donation or discussions with healthcare providers. However, religion affected willingness to donate organs. Most importantly, refusal to be a donor after death was associated with religion, occupation and awareness levels. Conclusion Despite the population’s understanding and support for the concept of organ donation, the willingness towards donating their own organs is limited. To boost organ donation rates and acceptance of the new enactment, we recommend conducting educational campaigns, improving online registration platforms, enhancing healthcare provider engagement, collaborating with religious communities and advocating for supportive policies.

The two main classifications of antidepressant medications are selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Out of the available choices, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have emerged as the most commonly prescribed option. The class demonstrates a greater degree of diversity in its structural characteristics in contrast to its neurochemical effects. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that the chemical composition of a drug within this specific class does not carry substantial significance in the selection process. A comprehensive analysis of the pharmacodynamic and pharmacodynamic properties of antidepressant drugs proves advantageous for clinicians and managed care providers responsible for selecting preferred selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) from a roster of authorized medications. The physicochemical characteristics, which possess considerable significance, are frequently disregarded except during the drug development stage. Pharmacodynamic properties refer to the physiological and biochemical effects that drugs exert on the human body. It is noteworthy that the inclusion of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) in a comprehensive depression management protocol may demonstrate enhanced effectiveness in clinical environments as opposed to controlled trials.

In order to shed an understanding of the complicated mechanisms behind the health implications of tobacco use during pregnancy, this study examines the complex interplay between smoking and pregnancy on the levels of the biomarkers Galectin-3 and GDF-15, and to provide a comprehensive analysis, facilitating a deeper understanding and offering potential pathways for targeted interventions to mitigate health risks. Pregnant smokers had higher levels of hemoglobin and white blood cell counts, while both pregnant groups had lower platelet counts. Additionally, pregnant smokers had higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, liver enzymes (ALT and AST), and C-reactive protein. These significant changes in hematological and metabolic parameters were found in a cross-sectional analysis involving 90 female participants who were divided into three groups: pregnant smokers, pregnant non-smokers, and non-pregnant non-smokers. Although there were slight variations in the levels of GDF-15 and Galectin-3 between the groups, they did not reach statistical significance. These results highlight the extensive and harmful metabolic alterations brought on by smoking during pregnancy, highlighting the need for focused actions to protect the health of both the mother and the fetus even in the face of largely stable biomarker levels.