Research Title: ATTITUDES OF JORDANIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TOWARDS THE CONCEPT OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

Author: Amani Ghazi Jarrar, Published Year: 2017

International Journal of Arts & Sciences, 10

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: This study, through special measurement tools, explores the attitude of Jordanian university students towards political participation. The study sample consisted of 1620 students who were selected randomly from two Jordanian universities, Jordan University and Philadelphia University. The study recommends that reform and clear amendments should be considered when introducing concepts of political participation in terms of curricula in all levels of civic and national education university courses. Civic, national, and political courses should be presented as essential requisites for graduates regardless of students’ faculties. University students should be engaged in activities and workshops to raise their awareness of political concepts so as to promote their political participation regardless of gender and demographic differences. Professors should be involved in workshops for applying better methodologies in teaching political concepts through the different courses regardless of the students’ faculties, specialties or level of education.

Keywords: Attitudes, Political participation, Jordanian universities.

Research Title: Character Traits of Jordanian Universities International Students Influenced by Economic - political Status

Author: Amani Ghazi Jarrar, Published Year: 2018

Asian Social Science, 14

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: The study aimed to reveal the personality traits of international students in Jordanian universities as affected by both the economic and political factors. The study sample consisted of (410) foreign students in Jordanian universities, representing males (208) and females (202).The results of the study showed that the personal characteristics of international students are mainly affected by both economic and political status of their original countries. The study showed that the most affecting factor is the economic rather than the political. The students traits were also divided in four categories or levels: The (Social) level was highest, the (emotional level) was the second in rank. The (cognitive level) ranked in the third level. And finally ranked the (cultural level). There were also differences between the average grade of individuals on the scale of personality traits and in each of its areas according to the level of education variable. The results of the study showed that there are statistically significant differences in personality characteristics according to the level of education variable in the field of knowledge and were in favor of the master while there were differences of statistical significance attributed to gender variable in favor of females.

Keywords: Character traits, international students, economic status, political status, Jordan

Research Title: Fighting Illiteracy in the Arab World

Author: Amani Ghazi Jarrar, Published Year: 2017

International Education Studies, 10

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: Illiteracy in the Arab world is becoming an urgent necessity particularly facing problems of poverty, ignorance, extremism, which impede the required economic, social, political and cultural development processes. Extremism, violence and terrorism, in the Arab world, can only be eliminated by spreading of knowledge, fighting illiteracy. The study shows that illiteracy rate among males in the Arab world is 25% for males, (46%) for Females. Results of the study show that if the educational situation in all Arab countries does not change, illiteracy rates will increase in the Arab world, and the number of illiterates in the Arab world will reach 49 million in the category of age of 15 years, and by 2024,it may reach 5.5 million of youth (15 - 24 years). The study identifies factors affecting the rise of illiteracy in the Arab world, particularly: Low economic level of many Arab countries, the growing security, political turmoil and internal problems experienced by most Arab countries, Social reasons, and random policies and contradiction in the trends and areas of combating illiteracy. The study concluded that illiteracy has a significant impact on social behavior, and that democracy, political participation, violence, cultural development, respect, pluralism, and accepting diversity, are all affected by illiteracy. The study recommends that Arab governments must formulate clear strategies linked to development plans to save 100 million Arab citizens who suffer from illiteracy, and ignorance. Illiteracy is to be taken seriously because it entails misunderstanding democracy, lack of youth interest in political affairs, corruption, and therefore the absence of comprehensive reform programs.

Keywords: Illiteracy, Arab World, extremism, violence, terrorism, political participation, political development

Research Title: Human Dignity: A Proposal for Middle - Eastern Area of Conflict: towards an Education for Coexistence

Author: Amani Ghazi Jarrar, Published Year: 2015

International Affairs and Global Strategy , 31

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: The proposed scenario is one that is hardly needed for the Middle - eastern area of conflict . It is called the " Human Dignity " proposal : Towards an Education for Coexistence. Such a project is suggested in an era where there is so much conflict in this part of (Middle –east ) and Arab world (in terms of multi- cultures, religious communities , gap- generation, and socioeconomic classes, there is a great need for broad agreement on something unifying, something that encourages and even grows a sense of human unity. That would only be through the path of "Human dignity ".The research recommends areas where different entities can participate together to implement and support the fulfillment of a great concept of " Human dignity " , such entities may include (Interfaith Coexistence Research Centers throughout the Arab World) , educational institutions , higher education institutions , civil society , and media. Together they can work in the region to promote religious freedom and religious education aiming at achieving " Human dignity ".Human dignity comes to be the responsibility of all partners ( politicians, educators , religious leaders, and the Arab youth generations ) .

Keywords: Human dignity, middle east , conflict ,education , coexistence , religious freedom , Arab world , multi-cultures .

Research Title: Parents, Teachers and School Administration Degree of Acceptance for the Parental Kindergarten Participation Program and its Impact on the Educational Learning process - Jordanian Sample

Author: Amani Ghazi Jarrar, Published Year: 2014

Journal of Education and Practice, 5

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: This study aimed at examining the effectiveness of parental participation program in a Jordanian sample, and to achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire consisting of 62 paragraph distributed on five dimensions were built, adopted after its appropriate validity and reliability evidences, 157 members as the study sample were subjected to the study tool, distributed as follows: 117 volunteer (parents), 13 headmistresses, and 27 kindergarten teacher, with a ratio of 30% of the study population. According to the study results, the study established a set of recommendations for the attention necessity of the educational institutions to increase their interest in this age group through programs that will enhance the relationship between the kindergarten and the local community for its effectiveness in the development of the educational and learning processes.

Keywords: Teacher, parents, school administration, kindergarten

Research Title: Higher Education Quality Assurance Standards in Jordan: Professoriate Perspective

Author: Amani Ghazi Jarrar, Published Year: 2020

Scientific Journal of Averroes, 38

Faculty: Arts

Abstract: This study aims at identifying the status of development in higher education in Jordanian universities based on quality from the perspective of (60) of faculty members who work on administrative tasks in five public and private Jordanian universities. A questionnaire was conducted for that purpose; made of (68) items including (12) standards, namely: (1: The organization's vision, objectives and planning, 2: Educational programs and its effectiveness, 3: Students and Student Services, 4: Faculty members, 5: Scholarships scientific research and innovations, 6: Library and information resources, 7: Good governance and Management, 8: Financial resources, 9: Material sources, 10: Organizational Integrity, 11: Interaction with the community and 12: Management of Quality Assurance. The study also aims at testing whether there are any statistical differences in the status of quality of higher education in Jordanian universities that may differ according to 3 type of university (public or private), type of faculty (scientific or literary), rank of professors (assistant, associate, and full professor). Results show that estimations of professors concerning the status of quality of higher education in Jordanian universities in terms of all quality assurance standards were high reaching statistically significant differences in all study variables. https://search.emarefa.net/en/detail/BIM-942603-higher-education-quality-assurance-standards-in-jordan-profe

Keywords: Development; quality; Jordanian universities; higher education; Arab world.

Research Title: Community pharmacists’ knowledge of and attitudes toward antibiotic use, resistance, and self-medication in Jordan

Author: Asma Ahmad El-Shara, Published Year: 2020

Drugs & Therapy Perspectives, 37, 44–53 (2021)

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Background Antibiotic resistance (AR) is a major global concern. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics may contribute to treatment failure and AR. Data about community pharmacists’ (CPs) knowledge of and behaviour toward antibiotic use and AR are limited. Objective Our objective was to evaluate the knowledge of and attitudes towards antibiotic use and AR in CPs in Jordan. Methods A large cross-sectional face-to-face survey of a random sample of 500 CPs in Jordan was conducted over a 2-month period. A representative sample was collected using the proportionate random sampling technique, which enabled us to geographically categorize the study population. Reliability and validity measures were taken to ensure a comprehensive and appropriate study tool. We used the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS®) version 24 to conduct descriptive analysis and logistic regression. Results The majority (86.6%) of respondents thought it was legal to dispense antibiotics without a prescription in Jordan. Only 24.2% had good knowledge regarding amoxicillin dosages for upper respiratory tract infections, and 66.2% did not know that bacteria are the predominant causative pathogens of acute otitis media. The majority (71.6%) knew that overuse of antibiotics is considered the principal cause of AR. However, only 34.4% were familiar with the definition of cross resistance, and 85.6% had misconceptions regarding patient compliance and its causal relationship with AR. Knowledge of antibiotic use was likely to be better in CPs who worked in urban areas than in those working in rural areas (odds ratio [OR] 1.2; 95% CI 0.74–2.31; p = 0.02) and in CPs with a postgraduate degree than in those without (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.89–4.56; p = 0.04). Conclusion As many CPs in Jordan have poor knowledge of antibiotics and AR, continual educational interventions to improve this situation are necessary.

Keywords: antibiotic use, antibiotic resistance, attitude, self-medication

Research Title: The Role of Clinical Pharmacy in Preventing Prescribing Errors in the Emergency Department of a Governmental Hospital in Jordan: A Pre-Post Study

Author: Asma Ahmad El-Shara, Published Year: 2020

Hospital Pharmacy, July 2020

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Abstract Background: Clinical pharmacists have a vital role in intercepting prescribing errors (PEs) but their impact within a Jordanian hospital emergency department (ED) has never been studied. Objective: To evaluate the impact of clinical pharmacy services on PEs and assess predictors of physicians’ acceptance of clinical pharmacists’ interventions. Setting: This study was conducted in the ED of the largest governmental hospital in Jordan. Method: This was a pre-post study conducted in October and November 2019 using a disguised observational method. There were 2 phases: control phase (P0) with no clinical interventions, and active phase (P1) where clinical pharmacists prospectively intervened upon errors. The clinical significance of errors was determined by a multidisciplinary committee. The SPSS software version 24 was used for data analysis. Main Outcome Measure: PEs incidence, type, severity, and predictors for physicians’ acceptance. Results: Of 18003 patients, 8732 were included in P0 and 9271 in P1. PEs incidence decreased from 24.6% to 5.4%. Contraindication, drug selection, and dosage form error types were significantly reduced from 32.6%, 9.1%, and 3.7% (P0) to 12.6%, 0.0%, and 0.0% (P1), respectively. Albeit not statistically significant, drug-drug interaction, drug frequency, and allergy error types were reduced from 4.9%, 3.1%, and 0.1% to 4.5%, 2.5%, and 0.0%, respectively. Significant and serious errors were significantly reduced from 68.7% and 3.0% (P0) to 8.9% and 1.8% (P1), respectively. During P1, most errors were minor (89.3%, 1574/1763), and lethal errors ceased. Predictors for physicians’ acceptance were: significant errors (OR 3.1; 95% CI 2.6-4.3; P = 0.03) and non-busy physicians (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.6-2.7; P = 0.04). Conclusion: Clinical pharmacists significantly reduced PEs in the ED by 76%; most of interventions were significant. Policymakers are advised to implement active clinical pharmacy in the ED.

Keywords: medication errors, clinical services, medication safety, physician prescribing

Research Title: Investigating prescribing errors in the emergency department of a large governmental hospital in Jordan

Author: Asma Ahmad El-Shara, Published Year: 2020

Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, Volume 11, Issue 4

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Abstract Background Although prescribing errors (PEs) are the most common type of medication errors and cause morbidity and mortality, they have been rarely studied. Objective The study aimed to investigate PEs incidence, types, severity, causes, predictors, pharmacists’ interventions accepted by doctors and computer-related errors. Setting This study was conducted in the emergency department of the largest governmental hospital in Jordan. Method This was a retrospective observational 4-week study. A validated definition of PEs was adopted, and errors were identified by direct observation of all prescriptions. Structured interviews with doctors to assess the causes of errors were conducted within three days of the prescription date; the severity of PEs was rated by a committee. Main outcome measure Prescribing errors incidence, types, severity, causes, predictors, pharmacists’ interventions accepted by doctors and computer-related errors. Results For 1330 patients, 3470 medication orders were recorded. Almost one in five patients had PEs (n = 288, 21.65%), and the total number of medication orders for patients who had errors was 610. The PEs incidence was 12.5% (95% CI 11.4%–3.5% (n = 450/3597)). Analgesics were the most common medications associated with PEs (232/610, 38.03%). The top two types of PEs detected were wrong drug (165/450, 36.6%) and wrong dose (142/450, 31.5%) respectively. Most PEs were clinically significant errors (342/450, 76%). Doctors refused pharmacists’ interventions on their orders in 132 (45.8%) prescriptions. The most common cause of errors was poor skills of doctors in electronic prescribing system (266/450, 59%). Predictors of PEs were the following: drug with multiple dosage forms (OR 2.998; 95% CI 1.41–6.34; P = 0.004) and a prescription with polypharmacy (OR 1.685; 95% CI 1.25%–2.26%; P = 0.001). Conclusion A national approach for observing, intervening on and correcting PEs is necessary to improve patient safety.

Keywords: health policy; health services research; pharmaco-economics

Research Title: Awareness of Antibiotic Use and Resistance in Jordanian Community

Author: Asma Ahmad El-Shara, Published Year: 2020

Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, Volume 11: 1–8

Faculty: Pharmacy

Abstract: Abstract Background: The public awareness toward the causes and consequences of antibiotic resistance (AR) is crucial to mitigate the inappropriate use of antibiotics (ABs), particularly in the low- and middle-income countries. There was no previous study that assessed the awareness, attitude, and knowledge about antibiotic use and AR among the Jordanian public in affluent and deprived areas. Objective: This study aimed to assess the awareness, attitude, and knowledge about antibiotic use and AR in affluent and deprived areas in Jordan. Setting: The survey was conducted in November 2019 in Amman, the capital of Jordan. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire was used to survey households in their areas in each of West Amman (affluent region) and East Amman (deprived region), Households were selected using proportionate random sampling method. Results: A total of 620 householders (310 per area) completed the questionnaire. Pharmacists were perceived as strong influencers on householders’ decision, as 80.32% (n = 465/580) of those who used antibiotics in the last year follow pharmacists’ advice. Our results showed poor understanding of antibiotic usage among the Jordanian public, as only 14.2% (n = 44/310) of the sample in West Amman and 2.9% (n = 9/310) in East Amman disagreed with the statement “Antibiotics work on most coughs and colds.” Householders in West Amman showed much better understanding of AR compared to those in East Amman; 82.3% (n = 255/310) of West Amman respondents agreed with the statement “Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in some way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of the antibiotic.” compared to 31.9% (n = 99/310) of East Amman respondents on the same statement (P < .05). Conclusion: The Jordanian community generally had poor knowledge and awareness toward antibiotics use and AR. Socio-economic factors could influence the public’s attitude toward antibiotics use and AR.

Keywords: antibiotic resistance, attitude, Jordan, self-medicating, public awareness