An examination of social work interventions for use with displaced Iraqi households in Jordan

The purpose of this paper is to identify and examine how models of social work intervention are being used with displaced Iraqi households in Jordan. The review of the situation of displaced Iraqis in Jordan identifies the size, characteristics and experiences of this group, Jordanian government policies towards them, and the role of IGOs and NGOs dealing with them. The literature review of social work interventions with refugees internationally identifies a range of psycho-social and community-based intervention models that are contextual, some of which include spiritual dimensions. The paper reviews social work interventions in use with Iraqi households in Jordan and concludes that these need to be focused at the individual, household and community levels using an inter-professional, holistic approach that includes spiritual dimensions, and that coordination between agencies is essential.     

Translating evidence into practice in childbirth: A case from the Occupied Palestinian Territory

ObjectiveTo investigate possible changes in practices during normal childbirth by implementing interventions which reduce the frequency of: intravenous fluids; bladder catheterization; analgesia; artificial rupture of membranes; oxytocin use for augmentation; vaginal examination; episiotomy, and increase: mobility; oral intake of fluids; and initiation of immediate breastfeeding.DesignAn operational research design.SettingA referral governmental hospital in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) between 2006 and 2010.Participants2345 women (baseline: 134 women, intervention: 1860 women, post-intervention: 351 women) and 17 providers (10 midwives and 7 physicians).InterventionsMultifaceted interventions; a combination of on-the-job training, audit, and feedback, supported by a core team and informal meetings.Main outcome measuresChange of practices during normal childbirth according to best evidence and the WHO recommendations.FindingsSignificant sustained improvements in practices during childbirth from baseline to post-intervention including artificial rupture of membranes, liberal use of oxytocin to augment normal labour, intravenous fluids, frequency of vaginal examinations, oral intake, immediate breastfeeding and routine episiotomy (P < 0.005). There was positive change in the mobility during labour, but this change was not sustained after 9 months from intervention to post-intervention. The usage of analgesia did not change.Key conclusionsCertain changes in practices during normal childbirth were possible in this hospital. A combination of on-the-job training with other interactive approaches increased midwives’ awareness, capacities and self-confidence to implement fewer interventions during normal labour.     

On distribution function estimation with partially rank-ordered set samples: estimating mercury level in fish using length frequency data

We study the non-parametric estimation of a continuous distribution function F based on the partially rank-ordered set (PROS) sampling design. A PROS sampling design first selects a random sample from the underlying population and uses judgement ranking to rank them into partially ordered sets, without measuring the variable of interest. The final measurements are then obtained from one of the partially ordered sets. Considering an imperfect PROS sampling procedure, we first develop the empirical distribution function (EDF) estimator of F and study its theoretical properties. Then, we consider the problem of estimating F, where the underlying distribution is assumed to be symmetric. We also find a unique admissible estimator of F within the class of nondecreasing step functions with jumps at observed values and show the inadmissibility of the EDF. In addition, we introduce a smooth estimator of F and discuss its theoretical properties. Finally, we expand on various numerical illustrations of our results via several simulation studies and a real data application and show the advantages of PROS estimates over their counterparts under the simple random and ranked set sampling designs.     

Robust binary regression

Robust procedures increase the reliability of the results of a data analysis. We studied such a robust procedure for binary regression models based on the criterion of least absolute deviation. The resulting estimating equation consists in a simple modification of the familiar maximum likelihood equation. This estimator is easy to compute with existing computational procedures and gives a high degree of protection.     

Professionalising social work in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: processes and implications

This paper critically discusses the development of social work in Jordan. It introduces a range of social, cultural and political circumstances in Jordan, and the consequent strategies adopted in the process towards the professionalisation of social work and the growth of social work interventions with individuals, families and communities. The paper also considers lessons learned and some of the implications of professionalising social work that are also relevant for other human services engaged in international development.     

The relationship between environmental exposures and hormonal abnormalities in pregnant women: An epidemiological study in Yazd,Iran

Problem

The process of industrialization and lifestyle changes have gradually exposed human ?societies to a larger number of environmental risk factors, which may cause hormonal ?abnormalities and congenital anomalies.

Social work students field training as an opportunity to develop best practice in disabilities: the case of Jordan

This article outlines an innovative field for training efforts that foster the abilities of undergraduate social work students so that they are able to empower local communities in disability issues. It discusses the contribution of social work education in improving livelihoods of families with disabled members, challenging families as well as attitudes of local communities towards the disabled. Social work students were placed in a centre for children with developmental disabilities for a period of eight months. At this stage of their training, students were required to demonstrate their skills in working with individuals, families and communities. They were also required to identify opportunities for interventions that addressed stigma and social inclusion. Key outcomes from students’ voices were captured through their field notes, some limited observations and focus group discussions. The field training demonstrated that students managed to establish a support group for mothers with disabled children to provide a safe place to share their experiences. Student outcomes highlighted that the field experience was effective and feedback from families indicated that training raises disability awareness and facilitates women’s access to existing support systems. In addition, it engages professionals and families to work together in developing a long-term strategy to reduce isolation and exclusion, as well as to tackle health and social inequalities in Jordan.     

The development of the Watershed Project Outcomes Scale: beneficiaries' and administrators' perspectives in an Iranian sample

The purpose of this research study was to invent a measure for watershed projects' outcomes from beneficiaries' and administrators' perspectives in an Iranian sample. A demographic questionnaire and the Watershed Project Outcomes Scale (WPOS) were used in this study. Findings indicate the WPOS consists of four factors: cultural development, economic development, social welfare and positive psychosocial transformation. Female and non inhabitant beneficiaries were significantly higher on the WPOS than males and inhabitants. The level of education and local language were effective from beneficiaries' viewpoints toward the watersheds. The governmental administrators had significantly higher positive attitudes on the WPOS than the watershed beneficiaries.     

The Use of Common Area <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>-Sample Test in Evaluating Targeting Methodologies: An Application to the Case of Egypt

The quality of life (QOL) is a measure of social wellbeing and life satisfaction of individuals in an area. Measuring its spatial dynamics is of great significance as it can assist the policy makers and practitioners in improving the balance between urbanization and living environment. This study proposes an approach to spatially map and examine the relationships between QOL, land use/land cover (LULC) and population density in an urban environment. The city of Lahore, Pakistan was selected as the case study area. The QOL was evaluated through the data related to physical health, psychological, social relationships, environment (natural and built), economic condition and development, and access to facilities and services. The weights/relative importance of each QOL domain was determined through the analytic hierarchy process by processing the data collected from local field experts. Overall QOL was computed by applying the domain weights to the data; spatial mapping of QOL domains and overall QOL was conducted afterwards. The spatial dynamics of QOL were examined, and its interrelationships with LULC and population density were analyzed. The relationship between these three variables turned out to be spatially dynamic. The proposed approach assists the spatial mapping and analyses of QOL, LULC and population, and by examining the spatial dynamics of these variables, contributes to devising appropriate land management and QOL improvement strategies and policies in the metropolitan regions.