The Prevalence of Behavioral and Emotional Problems and Their Associated Factors Among Children and Adolescents in Jordan: Findings from a National School-Based Survey.

Background: Global research has reported that the number of children and adolescents suffering from mental health issues has increased over the past decades. In Jordan, there has been a growing interest in investigating mental health among these groups in the most recent decade; nevertheless, only a few studies have covered behavioral and emotional problems. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of behavioral and emotional problems among children and adolescents in Jordan and investigate their associated factors.

Psychosocial, emotional and behavioral problems, quality of life, and mental health care seeking behaviors among children and adolescents in Jordan: a national school-based survey.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychosocial, emotional, and behavioral problems and their symptoms among children and adolescents in Jordan, assess their quality of life, and examine mental health help-seeking behavior.

Methods: A large-scale school-based national survey was conducted in Jordan among children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years (grades 3 to 12) from the host and refugee populations, utilizing a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling technique to select a nationally representative sample. Two versions of structured questionnaires were used: proxy parent version for students in grades 3 to 6 (8-11 years) and self-report version for students in grades 7 to 12 (12-18 years).

Psychosocial and emotional well-being of Syrian refugee children and adolescents in Jordan: In-camp versus out-of-camp comparative analysis.

There is a notable gap in understanding how different living arrangements influence the psychosocial and emotional well-being of Syrian refugee children and adolescents. Moreover, limited literature exists on the comparison between in-camp and out-of-camp living situations. The aim of this study was to compare the psychosocial and emotional status between camp and non-camp Syrian refugee children and adolescents living in Jordan.

Evaluation of the blended public health empowerment program-basic field epidemiology in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic encouraged the shift toward technology-based learning globally, impacting education systems profoundly. In response to this emerging need, the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) adapted its Public Health Empowerment Program-Basic Field Epidemiology (PHEP-BFE) to a Blended Learning Model. This study evaluates the Blended PHEP-BFE program in Iraq, Egypt, and Lebanon, focusing on participant reactions and learning outcomes.

Evaluation of field epidemiology training programs: a scoping review.

Objectives: Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) are competency-based training programs that play a critical role in strengthening global health security and enhancing the epidemiological capabilities of public health professionals. This scoping review examined available published literature on the evaluations of FETPs globally.

Methods: A literature review was conducted to evaluate FETPs globally.

The Provision of Psychosocial Support to Students in Jordan: Teachers' Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, Practices, and Perceived Barriers.

Background: Psychosocial support provision in schools is a promising strategy for overcoming barriers to accessing mental health care. This study aimed to assess teachers' knowledge, attitudes, practices, skills, and perceived barriers in providing psychosocial support to students in Jordan.

Methods: The sample included teachers working in public schools, private schools, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) schools, and Zaatari camp schools, as well as non-formal education centers.

Learning From COVID-19: What Would It Take to Be Better Prepared in the Eastern Mediterranean Region?

The COVID-19 transmission in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) was influenced by various factors such as conflict, demographics, travel and social restrictions, migrant workers, weak health systems, and mass gatherings. The countries that responded well to COVID-19 had high-level political commitment, multisectoral coordination, and existing infrastructures that could quickly mobilize. However, some EMR countries faced challenges due to political instability and fragile health systems, which hindered their response strategies.

Seroprevalence of Human Brucellosis among Syrian Refugees in Jordan, 2022.

Introduction: Brucellosis is prevalent in Mediterranean countries. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis and associated factors among Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult Syrian refugees who attended the Public Health Lab (PHL) in Al Mafraq governorate, during the period of May-June 2022 to obtain a health certificate, which is legally required to receive governmental authorization for employment in Jordan.

Strengthening Primary Healthcare in Jordan for Achieving Universal Health Coverage: A Need for Family Health Team Approach.

Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a strategic objective of the Jordanian government and has been prioritized in its strategies and plans. However, there are several challenges affecting primary healthcare in Jordan and the health system in general that prevent Jordan from achieving UHC. This paper highlights the importance of team-based care in the form of Family Health Teams (FHTs) to realize Jordan's goal of achieving UHC.

Supporting Public Health Research Capacity, Quality, and Productivity in a Diverse Region.

Public health research plays a critical role in strengthening health systems and improving their performance and impact. However, scholarly production in public health coming from the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) remains well below the world average and lacks a tangible growth trend over time. During the seventh Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network Regional Conference, a roundtable session brought together a panel of public health experts representing Global Health Development/Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network affiliates, universities or academia, and research institutions from the region, where they shared insights on the current situation of public health research; challenges and barriers to research facing the different countries in the EMR and the region in general; and how research agendas, productivity, and quality can be supported through strengthening research capacity in the region.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Problems among Children and Adolescents in Jordan: A Scoping Review.

: In Jordan, mental health morbidity among children and adolescents is on the rise. Several studies in Jordan have assessed mental health issues and their associated factors among adolescents; however, there remains a lack of a collation of data regarding such issues. : To review the prevalence rates of mental health problems among children and adolescents in Jordan to understand the evidence base concerning psychiatric morbidity.

Evaluation of the public health empowerment program in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Background: The Public Health Empowerment Program (PHEP) is a 3-month training program for frontline public health staff to improve surveillance quality and strengthen the early warning system capacities. Studies evaluating the program and its impact on the health systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of PHEP graduates' engagement in field epidemiology activities, assess their perceived skills and capacity to perform these activities and assess the extent to which PHEP helped the graduates to perform field epidemiology activities.

Real-World Effectiveness of Four Types of COVID-19 Vaccines.

Background: There is a scarcity of evidence regarding the real-world effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines. This was the first study to evaluate the effectiveness of four types of vaccines against asymptomatic and symptomatic infection, and COVID-19 outcomes among the general population.

Methods: This was a matched comparison group quasi-experimental study conducted in Jordan between 1 January and 29 August 2021.

Family planning interventions in Jordan: A scoping review.

Background: Despite all efforts in Jordan to increase the demand and use of family planning services, many challenges have likely influenced fertility and contraceptive use outcomes. Improving accessibility and availability of family planning services and interventions to married women and their spouse is essential to improve pregnancy outcomes.

Objectives: This study reviewed the gray and peer-reviewed literature published between January 2010 and June 2022 that described family planning interventions implemented in Jordan and highlighted the gaps identified in the literature.

Monitoring and Combating Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking Through Surveillance and Taxation.

Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) is a traditional tobacco use method that originated in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) and has resurged in recent decades. WTS rates in the EMR are the highest worldwide, especially among youth, exceeding cigarette-smoking rates in select jurisdictions. Despite its documented harm, the growing prevalence of WTS has been met with a poor regulatory response globally.

Strengthening the One Health Approach in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

One Health aims to use a multidisciplinary approach to combat health threats at animal, human, and environmental health interfaces. Among its broad focus areas are issues related to food safety, the control of zoonoses, laboratory services, neglected tropical diseases, environmental health, biosafety and biosecurity, and combatting antimicrobial resistance. A roundtable session was conducted on November 18, 2021, as part of the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network's (EMPHNET) seventh regional conference to highlight what role Global Health Development (GHD)|EMPHNET can play to strengthen the One Health approach.

Adaptation, implementation, and evaluation of the HEARTS technical package in primary health care settings in Jordan to improve the management of hypertension: a pilot study.

The majority of patients with hypertension in Jordan have uncontrolled blood pressure. This study aimed to adapt and implement the hypertension management protocol (a module in the HEARTS technical package) in health care centers in Jordan and evaluate its effectiveness on hypertension management and control. The hypertension management protocol was adapted and implemented in six health centers followed by training of the healthcare staff on the adapted protocol.

Health System Resilience in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Perspective on the Recent Lessons Learned.

Background: Public health has a pivotal role in strengthening resilience at individual, community, and system levels as well as building healthy communities. During crises, resilient health systems can effectively adapt in response to evolving situations and reduce vulnerability across and beyond the systems. To engage national, regional, and international public health entities and experts in a discussion of challenges hindering achievement of health system resilience (HSR) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) held its seventh regional conference in Amman, Jordan, between November 15 and 18, 2021, under the theme "Towards Resilient Health Systems in the Eastern Mediterranean: Breaking Barriers.

Active Safety Surveillance of Four Types of COVID-19 Vaccines: A National Study from Jordan.

Background: Although the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2), Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19), Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV), and Sputnik V coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have been granted emergency approval in many nations, their safety has never been studied and compared in one community-based study. This study aimed to investigate and compare the incidence, nature, severity, and predictors of adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) with COVID-19 vaccines.

Method: This was a prospective observational study conducted in Jordan between 1 January and 21 September 2021.

Published Research on COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Bibliometric Analysis.

Background: The challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic have led to unprecedented global research activity. The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) continues to contribute to COVID-19 research driven by the unique challenges of the region, including the protracted conflicts, already stressed health systems, and serious health and social inequalities.

Objective: This study aims to provide an overview of the publication activities and trends in COVID-19 research in the EMR from the onset of the disease to early 2022 using bibliometric methods.

Scaling the Children Immunization App (CIMA) to Support Child Refugees and Parents in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Social Capital Approach to Scale a Smartphone Application in Zaatari Camp, Jordan.

Background: Children vaccination is a key intervention for their survival, especially among refugees. Yet, children vaccination registration is done manually in refugees camps and there is no possibility to send reminders to parents to come back on time. We aimed to boost the parental registration of children's vaccination records on a Children Immunization app (CIMA) while also availing the parents with useful parenting skills under COVID-19-related stress.

Field Epidemiology and Public Health Research Priorities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Delphi Technique.

Research is essential for evidence-based decision making. This study aimed to identify research priorities in the areas of field epidemiology and public health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) from the perspectives of public health professionals. A Delphi technique, using online survey, was employed to reach 168 public health professionals who have experience in the EMR countries.

Risk Factors of COVID-19 Critical Outcomes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Multicountry Retrospective Study.

Background: The establishment of empirical evidence in the Eastern Mediterranean Region necessitates the implementation of wide-scale studies to describe the demographic, clinical features, and severity profile of patients with COVID-19.

Objective: This study aims to assess the patterns of COVID-19 severity and mortality in seven countries, and to determine the risk factors of COVID-19 severity and mortality.

Methods: This multicountry study was based on a retrospective review of medical records of hospitalized patients confirmed to have COVID-19.

Public Health Surveillance Systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Bibliometric Analysis of Scientific Literature.

Background: The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) hosts some of the world's worst humanitarian and health crises. The implementation of health surveillance in this region has faced multiple constraints. New and novel approaches in surveillance are in a constant state of high and immediate demand.