Services In Jordan Research Articles

In the shadows of OCD: Jordanian patients' experiences during the COVID-19 quarantine.

INTRODUCTION: Pandemics, like COVID-19, can significantly harm the mental well-being and overall quality of life for individuals and their families. Those with pre-existing mental conditions, especially obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), are more vulnerable to negative psychosocial effects since the fear of being infected or transmitting infection to others are some of the main characteristics of the illness. There is a need for a nuanced understanding of the personal, social and cultural experiences of people with OCD within their specific psychosocial context. To explore how Jordanian patients with OCD experienced their illness during COVID-19. A descriptive phenomenological design using semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 12 patients diagnosed with OCD and experiencing different types of OCD symptoms. Data were analysed thematically, and reported based on the critical appraisal skills programme (CASP) checklist for qualitative studies. Three main themes emerged: (1) Navigating Constraints: The Dual Pathways of Social Engagement and Avoidance (seeking solace through social interaction and embracing quarantine as an opportunity for social avoidance); (2) Estranging family attachments (enforcing proximity and struggling with intimacy); and (3) Shifting OCD landscapes (transforming existing obsessions and escaping to new compulsions). The interviews documented a complete lack of references to receiving professional mental health support throughout the pandemic. This study aligns with previous research indicating a surge in OCD severity during the pandemic, fuelled by distressing news and heightened hygiene measures. Notably, it underscores the strain on familial relationships, with some cases showing protective effects but many demonstrating worsening symptoms due to excessive family accommodation. The absence of professional mental health support during the pandemic raises questions about the quality and accessibility of mental health services in Jordan. The findings underscore the need for continued mental health support and intervention, particularly during times of heightened stress and isolation. Integrating e-mental health resources and cultural adaptation can play a vital role in providing accessible and effective support for individuals with OCD, including those in the Jordanian Arab culture. As we navigate future challenges, it is crucial to prioritize the well-being of individuals with OCD and ensure they have access to appropriate and tailored mental health services.

Factors Affecting Foreign Patients’ Satisfaction towards Medical Tourism Services in Jordan

Governments invest a great deal of time, resources, and money in promoting medical tourism, which seeks to satisfy patients by offering them medical care. This study examined the impact of various factors, including quality of care, cost, medical staff services, and hospital environment, on foreign patients' satisfaction with Jordanian medical tourism services. To collect data, a questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 320 foreign patients in the public and private hospitals in Amman, Jordan. To analyze the data, the Social Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used. The findings of the study were that of the environment of the hospital and the service of medical staff had the most significant impact factors. Overall, the findings supported a positive effect quality of medical care, cost of medical care, services of medical staff, and the environment of the hospital on the level of satisfaction among foreign patients about Jordanian medical tourism. Lastly, the study recommends that have the capacity of the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Health, and practitioners to uphold the standard of care and attract a sizable influx of international medical patients to Jordan.

Improving Supply and Generating Demand for MIYCN Services in Jordan: An Assessment of Program Process and Its Barriers and Facilitators

Improving Supply and Generating Demand for MIYCN Services in Jordan: An Assessment of Program Process and Its Barriers and Facilitators

Development of special education in Jordan as a model: Reality and challenges

AbstractSpecial education plays a critical role in ensuring equal educational opportunities for individuals with diverse learning needs. In the context of Jordan, the development of special education has made significant progress over the years, reflecting the country's commitment to inclusivity and diversity, with notable efforts from the government and various stakeholders to enhance the inclusivity and accessibility of education for students with disabilities (SWDs). This scoping review aims to explore the reality of special education development in Jordan, and identify the challenges faced in implementing an effective model. By conducting a comprehensive literature search, analysing relevant government and non‐government reports and studies, this research aims to shed light on historical context, policies, progress made, practices and highlight existing challenges and gaps, and propose potential solutions to enhance special education practices in the field of special education in Jordan. This study emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and implementation of effective strategies to enhance education services for SWDs in the country. By exploring relevant literature, this research also intends to create a roadmap for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance special education services in Jordan and promote a more supportive environment for learners with diverse needs.

Culture and law enforcement influence on m-government adoption: An exploratory study

In an era characterized by technological advancement and innovation, the emergence of Electronic Government (e-Government) and Mobile Government (m-Government) represents significant developments. Previous studies have explored acceptance models in this domain. This research presents a novel acceptance model tailored to the context of m-Government adoption in Jordan, integrating the Information System (IS) Success Factor Model, Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory, and considerations for law enforcement factors. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the strategies for promoting and enhancing the adoption of m-Government applications within Jordanian society. Data collection involved the distribution of 203 electronic questionnaires, with subsequent analysis conducted using SPSS. The findings reveal the acceptance and significance of three hypotheses: Information Quality, Service Quality, and Power Distance. Additionally, the study incorporates the influence of Law Enforcement factors, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted determinants shaping the adoption of m-Government services in Jordan.

Enhancing the public value of mobile fintech services through cybersecurity awareness antecedents: A novel framework in Jordan

The study aimed to link cybersecurity awareness and its antecedents to discover the level of public value of using mobile financial services from the perspective of ‘citizens in the government context in Jordan. The quantitative approach was customized to serve the purposes of this study. A convenience sampling method was used based on 550 e-survey Jordanians from whom data were collected. A total of 449 responses were used in the analysis process. A structural equation model was specified to evaluate the developed research model. The results revealed that all hypotheses are accepted at less than P<0.001, cybersecurity awareness and predictions of financial services systems play a significant role in determining the use of financial services systems and generating the value of using financial services. Moreover, combining cybersecurity awareness with public value theory is an important approach to measure the performance of government institutions, especially in the financial services industry. Therefore, these results can be used to develop financial services and meet Jordanians’ requirements. Therefore, providing well-understood dimensions that influence the value of microfinance service use among Jordanians is a necessary process that probably ensures long-term sustainability of microfinance services. Finally, future efforts can explore the benefits and challenges of adopting digital transformation technologies in the public sector and financial services. Furthermore, the term government resilience is likely provided new insights to enhance public administration performance based on technology trends. Digital transformation, integrating government flexibility with the existing research model may influence the overall value of Mobile Fintech Services in Jordan.

The lived experiences of healthcare professionals working in pre-hospital emergency services in Jordan: A qualitative exploratory study

IntroductionGlobally, injuries account for 9% of all deaths, with road accidents contributing to approximately a quarter of these fatalities. A major concern is the inadequacy of pre-hospital care (emergency medical services provided before arrival at a hospital) and delays in transportation to medical facilities, identified as leading causes of preventable injury-related deaths. This study explores the experiences of emergency health professionals (EHPs) in peri-hospital services (emergency medical services provided immediately upon arrival and within the hospital setting). MethodsA qualitative exploratory design, underpinned by Van Manen’s (1990) descriptive phenomenological principles, was used. Thirty EHPs from five central and southern Jordanian emergency departments were purposefully sampled, including physicians, nurses, and paramedics from both emergency departments and pre-hospital services. ResultsTwo primary themes emerged: (1) In Search of Clarity: The Unsettled Journey of Pre-hospital Emergency Care Providers; (2) Frustrations on the Frontline: Role Ambiguity and Emotional Exhaustion in Trauma Care, with EHPs reporting fluid and unclear roles, physical and verbal abuse, and limited authority in critical interventions. ConclusionThe study highlights several service lapses in peri-hospital care that negatively impact healthcare professionals, posing risks to patient safety. These findings urge decision-makers to devise actionable strategies to rectify these deficiencies, enhancing care quality and thereby decreasing injury-induced mortality and morbidity.

Drivers of citizens E- loyalty in E-government services: E-service quality mediated by E-trust based on moderation role by system anxiety

PurposeThis study aims to identify the impact of drivers of citizens’ e-loyalty on e-government services. This study focused on the impact of e-service quality (e-SQ) on e-loyalty, mediated by e-trust. In addition, the study examined the moderating role of system anxiety.Design/methodology/approachTo accomplish the study’s objectives, a self-administered questionnaire was created to collect data, and the sample size was chosen to align with the requirements of the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. Out of the distributed questionnaires, 532 were deemed valid and suitable for analysis in this research. Data screening was performed, and no questionnaires were excluded from the analysis.FindingsThe study findings underscore the significance of enhancing e-SQ for improved trust, satisfaction and engagement in e-government initiatives. Decision-makers should prioritize streamlined processes, user-friendly interfaces and responsive support. Crucial elements for fostering trust include transparency, accountability and data security. Personalized services, citizen engagement and continuous feedback evaluation contribute to citizen satisfaction and loyalty. Addressing system anxiety is vital through clear instructions and accessible support. Implementation of these recommendations is expected to lead to successful e-government initiatives and increased e-service adoption. The study highlights the importance of maintaining high e-SQ standards, trust-building measures and adopting a holistic approach for sustained positive user experiences in government e-services.Research limitations/implicationsThis study found a significant positive influence of e-SQ on e-loyalty showing a strong positive correlation between e-SQ, e-loyalty and e-service. Statistical analysis reported a significant positive mediating role of e-trust in the relationship between e-SQ and e-loyalty. Moreover, system anxiety exhibited a strong significant negative moderating role on the relationship between e-SQ and e-trust.Practical implicationsPractical implications of the study emphasize the importance of improving e-SQ, enhancing transparency, strengthening security measures, adopting user-centric design principles and continuously evaluating and improving e-services. By implementing these recommendations, decision-makers can foster trust, satisfaction and improve engagement and adoption of e-government initiatives in the Jordanian context as a developing country.Originality/valueThe study explores the factors influencing citizens’ loyalty to e-government services in Jordan, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by the country as a developing nation. It focuses on understanding these factors within the Jordanian context, where e-government initiatives are increasingly implemented to enhance public services and governance. The research investigates the mediating role of e-trust and the moderating effect of system anxiety, providing valuable insights into the drivers of citizens’ loyalty.

A comprehensive analysis of public satisfaction: Community pharmacists’ pandemic preparedness in Jordan

Community pharmacists’ roles have expanded globally to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the limited information available on public satisfaction regarding pharmacy preparedness and services during this crisis in Jordan, our study aimed to assess public contentment with community pharmacists’ readiness for the pandemic. Not to forget the educational services they offered, and public expectations regarding their future roles in emergencies. We employed a cross-sectional questionnaire, surveying 1,820 adults across all 12 governorates of Jordan via proportionate random sampling. A multidisciplinary committee validated the adjusted survey, and data analysis was conducted using SPSS V26. Our findings revealed that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, only approximately half of the participants expressed satisfaction with pharmacy services in Jordan. Age, gender, and urban or rural location were influential factors affecting satisfaction with pharmaceutical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, individuals aged 55–64 exhibited a significantly higher likelihood of being satisfied with pharmacy services (OR: 17.79, 95%CI: 9.01–18.77, p = 0.001). Moreover, females in Jordan were more inclined to express satisfaction with pharmacy services during the pandemic (OR: 4.23, 95%CI: 1.97–9.55, p = 0.02). Conversely, individuals residing in rural areas were notably less likely to report satisfaction with pharmacy services during the pandemic (OR: 0.33, 95%CI: 0.11–0.61, p = 0.002), as revealed by the study’s findings. Overall, participants were dissatisfied with the provided pharmacy education. There was a widespread belief in the pivotal role of pharmacists in pandemic management, with expectations of expanded COVID-19-related services in the future. People trusted pharmacists to play a greater role in pandemic situations. Our study recommends a review of pharmacy practice policies, particularly in relation to public services during pandemics, and the implementation of pharmacist emergency protocols.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Care Services and Practices in Jordan

Dentists and their patients are highly exposed to COVID-19 due to the close contact nature of dental procedures. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on dental care practices and services in Jordan. A mixed-method design was used; data from dentists ( N = 400) were collected using an online survey, and 15 semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with dentists from public and private sectors. The findings revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted dental care practices and services. The majority of the participants reported a decline in their income and a decline in dental services demand, with a significant increase in costs for this profession. Additionally, this study showed that most participants were in a state of anxiety and fear about contracting the virus and transmitting it to their families while practising their profession that caused a change in their behaviours and attitudes. In conclusion, dental healthcare workers are at greater risk of being infected with COVID-19. There is a need to implement recommended protocols in dental clinics, it is also essential that decision makers develop appropriate interventions and measures to ensure continuity in the provision of dental services during the pandemic.

Behavioral economics-based counseling and mobile phone text educational messages to strengthen family planning services in Jordan: a randomized control clinical trial

Behavioral economics-based counseling and mobile phone text educational messages to strengthen family planning services in Jordan: a randomized control clinical trial

Understanding the Effects of Social Media Marketing on Customers’ Bank Loyalty: A SEM Approach

This study used customers’ experiences to assess the role of social media marketing (SMM) efforts in increasing online customer-based loyalty in the banking sector in Jordan, and using the two main components of the TAM model, perceived the ease of use and perceived usefulness, to understand the relationship. Data were gathered through an online survey with 329 respondents through online banking services in Jordan. A test of the structural equation model (SEM) indicated that perceived usefulness strongly affects electronic word of mouth (EWM), informativeness (INF), and social media features (SMF); and perceived ease of use is indirectly linked to these factors. Behavioral intention is strongly affected by both the perceived usefulness and the ease of use of online banking services. Based on the self-proposed model, e-marketing has impacted customers’ bank loyalty regarding its online services, and the role of social media marketing has remained very important to enhancing customer-based loyalty. This study contributes to the literature by integrating SMF, EWM, and INF in a single framework. It also provides managerial implications and guides for scholars, managers, and practitioners in e-marketing to use customers’ experience to increase customer loyalty. Further research and suggestions are offered.

Patient Satisfaction with Pharmaceutical Services in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: Pharmacists’ responsibilities have become more patient-oriented so exploring patients’ satisfaction would lead to identifying and improving the quality of pharmaceutical services. The aim of the present study was to assess patients’ satisfaction with pharmaceutical services in Jordan
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2018 and April 2019. Patients’ satisfaction was assessed using three subscales; managing therapy, interpersonal relationship, and general satisfaction, in addition, to the socio-demographic questionnaire. Participants were asked about the degree of their satisfaction with the pharmaceutical services in all subscales’ questions using a 5-point Likert scale.
 Results: A total of 1,333 patients participated in the study. The mean patient age was 32.4 years (SD = 11.6)52.5% (n = 700) were female. Patients had a good satisfaction score for overall pharmaceutical services with a mean score of 51.4 ± 11.4 out of 70. Among the subscales, the interpersonal relationship subscale showed a satisfaction score of 75.7% while the other two subscales (general satisfaction and managing therapy) showed slightly lower scores with 75.0% and 69.6%, respectively. Having good health and governmental or military health insurance, visiting the pharmacy more frequently, and dispensing medications from governmental hospitals, primary healthcare centers, or military hospital pharmacies were important predictors of better patient satisfaction with pharmaceutical services (p < 0.05).
 Conclusions: This study presents some nationwide patient-reported outcomes about patient satisfaction in general pharmacy settings in Jordan. Focusing on patients’ satisfaction while providing pharmaceutical services is needed.

Investigating smart city adoption from the citizen's insights: empirical evidence from the Jordan context.

This study aims to investigate the factors that perceive citizens' intention to adopt smart city technologies in the Arab world. A self-administered questionnaire that included 312 end users as citizens in Amman, Jordan's capital city, was used in this study. This study uses advanced statistical techniques to test an expanded technology acceptance model (TAM) that incorporates the determinants of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, security and privacy, ICT infrastructure and inadequate Internet connectivity, social influence, and demographic profiles. Based on the results, perceived ease of use and ICT infrastructure and Internet connectivity showed positive association with the intention of citizens to adopt smart city services in Jordan. By recognizing the factors that predict citizens' adoption of smart city services, this study presents some theoretical implications and practical consequences related to smart city service adoption.

Modeling the Impact of Fees and Circular Economy Options on the Financial Sustainability of the Solid Waste Management System in Jordan

Municipal solid waste services in Jordan are being provided by municipalities, where 90% of the generated solid waste finds its way to the landfills and dump sites. All Jordanian municipalities are suffering from low cost recovery where it reaches 50% in its best case. Realizing these facts, recently, the Jordanian government has embarked on an ambitious package of regulations and policies to promote the adoption of circular economy options. The National Solid Waste Management Strategy (NSWMS) of Jordan has called for rationalization, gradual increase of the service fees and adoption of circular economy options through recycling and composting. To assess the impacts of the proposed policies by the NSWMS on the financial sustainability, a system dynamic modeling (SDM) was carried out for the two largest municipalities in the country, namely Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) and Greater Irbid Municipality (GIM). The share of solid waste management cost from the total municipal budget in GAM and GIM is 13.3% and 24%, respectively. On the other hand, the cost per ton of solid waste management in GAM is USD 85 and in GIM it is USD 50. Medium-term and long-term scenarios were considered in the SDM analysis. By considering the year 2016 as a baseline year, the simulation revealed that during the midterm period (2022–2026), the cost recovery will be increased from 54% to 82.5% in GAM, while in GIM it will be raised from 45% to 70%. Moreover, during the long-term period (2027–2034) as a result of adopting circular economy options by recycling and composting, both GAM and GIM will achieve full cost recovery of the solid waste services, in 2028 and 2029, respectively. Furthermore, diverting the solid waste from the landfill will lead to climate change mitigation, where about 652,275 tons of CO2eq. and greenhouse gases will be avoided. It is recommended that municipalities in Jordan should consider a more efficient solid waste collection mechanism rather than through electricity bills. Further research is needed to assess the impact of other circular economy options such as waste to energy and extended producer responsibility (EPR).

The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic Aspects on the Quality of Health Services in Jordan

This study is a combination between quality management and crisis management within a vital sector, i.e., the health sector, which requires continuous improvement and sustainability of its services that guarantee quality standards. This study aims to investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the quality of health services in Jordan. An electronic national survey was designed and distributed after conducting the pilot study consisting of 50 respondents. The data was collected from 334 COVID-19-infected patients and non-infected patients who benefited from the medical services in Jordan. The results of the SEM-PLS confirm a statistically significant positive impact of Corona pandemic on the quality of health services. In addition, it shows a high agreement on the health service quality level. This study concludes that Jordan, like the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa (MENA), has suffered from the effects of the Corona virus, and this crisis creates many challenges and threats to its healthcare systems. Therefore, researchers pointed out some recommendations for top management and decision-makers that the government should formulate flexible and long-term health strategies that can deal with sudden events and situations, guided by the information from this study.

Examining the impact of total quality management on the provision of healthcare services: A study of Jordanian healthcare organizations

This study investigates how Total Quality Management (TQM) influences the quality of Health care services in Jordan. To test this relationship, a survey was distributed to 220 employees working at different Jordanian hospitals. The results show significant and positive association between all TQM dimensions (customer focus, top management support, fact-based decision making, employees' involvement, and continuous improvement) and the quality of health care services in Jordan. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of TQM in enhancing the quality of health care service and recommends hospitals ‘management and policy makers to adopt and integrate various TQM practices into the Jordanian health sector.

An empirical investigation on acceptance of mobile payment system services in Jordan: extending UTAUT2 model with security and privacy

Several developed and developing countries have launched a mobile payment system service, which is known in Jordan as Jordan Mobile Payment (JoMoPay) system to overcome the drawbacks of traditional payment system. The system supports payment transactions by utilising mobile phones applications. However, the acceptance of JoMoPay system in Jordan is still below the level of expectation. This study was undertaken to understand and explain the acceptance of JoMoPay system based on extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model in the Jordanian context. The model was extended by considering two additional constructs namely; security and privacy. Utilising a self-reported survey, collected data was analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) to test the research model. Five constructs were found to be the determinants of behavioural intention to use JoMoPay system, namely performance expectancy, social influence, price value, security and privacy. Together they account for 61.4% of the variance in behavioural intention. However, effort expectancy, facilitating condition and hedonic motivation did not have a significant impact on behavioural intention to use JoMoPay system and hence the related hypotheses were not supported. Lastly, conclusions, limitations and future research directions will be discussed further in the last section of the paper.

Risks management of infrastructure line services and their impact on the financial costs of road projects in Jordan

The Jordanian building sector contributes greatly to the country's GDP. However, Jordanian road projects are notorious for cost overruns throughout construction and operation. Risks to infrastructure services in Jordan are identified, studied, and evaluated in this report. Having this information will make it easier for project stakeholders to effectively manage risks. Additionally, it is trying to find ways to improve the connection between road implementation authorities, government agencies, and the business sector. A list of 32 hazards was compiled based on a literature assessment that analysed the project's managerial, technological, financial, social, location-specific, and operational issues. Engineers and other professionals in Jordan were then requested to complete a survey. Cost overruns on the Jordan Crossing Jordan project have been blamed on eight factors, according to Jordanian experts. More than 300 people were polled to determine the likelihood and magnitude of each possible danger. According to the results of the survey, infrastructure projects are most likely to encounter the greatest number of hazards. Lack of infrastructure is the greatest threat to the project's success, with an effect of 0.862. Problems with the contract between the project's running firm and the government authorities in control; reorganization of corporate structures and processes; and accidents that occur as a result of inadequate safety measures are all possibilities with a RII of 0.858. An essential part of project risk management is the identification and evaluation of potential hazards. In this study, it will be looked at for the first time how risk management strategies affect infrastructure project risks.

Experiences of Primary Health Care Clients in Jordan: Qualitative Study

Objective: This paper aims to understand the experiences of clients in utilising primary health care services in Jordan. Design: A qualitative study. Methods: Three focus group interviews with 22 clients who sought medical advice at primary health care clinics. The data were analysed thematically. Results: Findings were summarized in three main themes: 1) Clients’ experiences with general practitioners; 2) Causes of not seeking advice at clinics; 3) Clients’ perceptions of the physicians’ capabilities and professionalism. There was comfort and full access to primary health care (PHC) service, although clients were not satisfied sometimes. This is due to the absence, inadequate, and poor quality of the service. This may lead to several visits without getting the service required. Conclusion: Listening to the experiences of the clients and users of PHC identifies what works and what does not work in the service and improves the quality. Measuring the experiences of the users and the satisfaction of the clients is an important aspect of quality.