Pregnant mothers' awareness of rheumatic diseases in Balqa Governorate: A study of maternity center visits

Authors

  • Sufian. M. Rifaei
  • Ghaith Maqableh
  • Bandar Ghazal
  • Alaa Akel
  • Raya Marji
  • Mohammadkhier Marwan Nagaway

Keywords:

Rheumatic diseases, pregnancy, health awareness, pregnant women, Jordan

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the level of awareness and knowledge amongst pregnant women about rheumatic diseases and the relevant potential impact on pregnancy, and to examine the relationship between certain demographic variables (such as age, education, and health insurance) and this awareness. Data were collected via a questionnaire directed at 281 pregnant women in Balqa Governorate, Jordan.

Data collection period spanned from February 20 to April 20, 2025. The chi-square test was used to analyze the relationships between the main variables. The results showed that most participants were aware of the term "rheumatic diseases," but awareness of their effects on pregnancy was limited, especially among those with limited education.

The study also revealed a significant disparity in awareness between financially insured and uninsured women, reflecting the need to improve awareness, especially in communities with less access to health services. The study recommends strengthening educational efforts about rheumatic diseases, making medical information more available to uninsured women, and intensifying awareness campaigns in maternity centers.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Zhou, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2024). A novel approach to data analysis in complex systems. Journal of Systems and Software, 210, 110123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2024.110123

Niewold, T. B., Aksentijevich, I., Gorevic, P. D., & others. (2024). Genetically transitional disease: Conceptual understanding and applicability to rheumatic disease. Nature Reviews Rheumatology, 20(5), 301–310. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41584-024-01086-9

Avcin, T., Chambers, C. D., Fazzi, E. M., Marlow, N., Wulffraat, N. M., Tincani, A., & others. (2024). The outcomes of children born to mothers with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The Lancet Rheumatology, 6(8), e573–e586. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2665-9913(24)00096-1

Gérard, B., Bailly, F., & Trouvin, A.-P. (2024). How to treat chronic pain in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) – A pharmacological review. Joint Bone Spine, 91(1), 105624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbspin.2023.105624

Baltaci, M. A., & Pamukcu, M. (2024). Targeted treatment strategies and medication management for rheumatic diseases during pregnancy and lactation: A comprehensive review. Journal of European Internal Medicine Professionals, 2(4), Article 83. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13955951

Singh, M., Fayaz, F. F. A., Wang, J., & others. (2024). Pregnancy complications and autoimmune diseases in women: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Medicine, 22, 339. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03550-5

O’Neil, L. J., Alpízar-Rodríguez, D., & Deane, K. D. (2024). Rheumatoid arthritis: The continuum of disease and strategies for prediction, early intervention, and prevention. The Journal of Rheumatology, 51(4), 337–349. https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.2023-0334

Rohini, S., Sharma, U. R., Vinutha, M., & Kumar, S. (2024). Rheumatoid arthritis-associated complications during pregnancy and its effect on offspring: Comprehensive review. Inflammopharmacology, 32, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-024-01482-3

Mani, I., Bermas, B., Edens, C., Sammaritano, L., Zell, J., & Birru Talabi, M. (2024). Challenging cases in rheumatic disease pregnancy: Management perspectives from reproductive rheumatologists. Frontiers in Lupus, 2, Article 1455456. https://doi.org/10.3389/flupu.2024.1455456

Al Saleh, J. (2016). Enhancing the care of women with rheumatic diseases during pregnancy: challenges and unmet needs in the Middle East. Clinical Rheumatology, 35(1), 25–31.

Al-Rawashdeh, I., Kharboush, I., & Al-Kubaisy, W. (2020). Disparities in Cesarean Section among Women in Jordan: Analysis of the 2017-18 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (JPFHS) Data (No. 167). The DHS Program.

Ministry of Health – Jordan. (2022). Jordan: National maternal mortality report 2022. Ministry of Health – Jordan.

Ackerman, I. N., Jordan, J. E., Van Doornum, S., Ricardo, M., & Briggs, A. M. (2015). Understanding the information needs of women with rheumatoid arthritis concerning pregnancy, post-natal care and early parenting: A mixed-methods study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 16(1), 194.

Phillips, R., Pell, B., Grant, A., Bowen, D., Sanders, J., Taylor, A., & et al. (2018). Identifying the unmet information and support needs of women with autoimmune rheumatic diseases during pregnancy planning, pregnancy and early parenting: mixed-methods study. BMC Rheumatology, 2(1), 21.

Ali, D. H., & Kudsi, M. (2023). Awareness about rheumatic diseases: A survey from a Syrian population. Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2515336/v1

Alqurashi, S. R. A. (2024). AWARENESS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AMONG POPULATION IN TAIF, SAUDI ARABIA. Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results, 15(3), 177–182.

Kasem, A., Abuhammad, S., & Alswaiti, E. M. S. (2022). Maternal awareness of breastfeeding policies in baby-friendly hospitals in Jordan. Nursing Forum, 57(5), 843–850.

Downloads

Published

2025-07-04

How to Cite

1.
M. Rifaei S, Maqableh G, Ghazal B, Akel A, Marji R, Marwan Nagaway M. Pregnant mothers’ awareness of rheumatic diseases in Balqa Governorate: A study of maternity center visits. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025Jul.4 [cited 2025Jul.15];14(32S):3667-75. Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/7986