Vascular access infection among hemodialysis patients in Northern Jordan: incidence and risk factors.

Objectives: Vascular access infection (VAI) causes significant mortality and morbidity in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this prospective, descriptive, exploratory survey of end-stage renal disease patients was to explore the incidence and risk factors of VAI.

Methods: A total of 188 patients were included in the study from five different hospital/dialysis units in northern Jordan.

Children's environmental health in Central Asia and the Middle east.

Children in Central Asia and the Middle East bear disproportionate environmental threats to health, of which the most widespread and serious result from poverty, malnutrition, lack of access to safe drinking water and food, and exposures to toxic chemicals. Their psychological health is threatened in several parts of this region by internal wars and strife. Many, or even most, children are regularly exposed to environmental tobacco smoke.

Dental plaque, caries prevalence and gingival conditions of 14-15-year-old schoolchildren in Jerash District, Jordan.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate oral hygiene, gingival condition and dental caries prevalence in 14-15-year-old school children in Jerash District, Northern Jordan. Twenty schools (10 male and 10 female schools) with 1362 children of eighth and ninth grades were randomly selected and incorporated in this study. All participants had dental examinations for oral hygiene, gingival condition and dental caries experience using the Silness and Löe Plaque Index (PI), Löe and Silness Gingival Index (GI), and decayed (D), missing (M) and filled (F) teeth (DMFT) and surface (DMFS) codes respectively.

Intrauterine contraceptive device discontinuation among Jordanian women: rate, causes and determinants.

Objective: To determine the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) discontinuation rate and its causes and related factors among women attending UNRWA health centres in Jordan.

Methods: The study cohort comprised 371 women who had an IUD inserted during 1997 and who were interviewed during their visits to the health centres in the period January-March 2003. The main outcome measure was IUD discontinuation.

Assessment of periodontal knowledge and periodontal status of an adult population in Jordan.

The aim of this study was to assess periodontal knowledge and periodontal status in 20-60-year-old adult population in northern Jordan. A convenient sample consisting of 722 adults was included in this study. A questionnaire incorporating items related to socio-demographic and periodontal knowledge questions was completed before clinical examination, using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN).