Objectives To assess the medical students' satisfaction and knowledge attainment through distant learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This is a cross-sectional, self-reported, questionnaire-based study that was conducted at the School of Medicine at the University of Jordan in April 2020. The targeted population was the students at the school of medicine. An online questionnaire was created using Google Forms. Satisfaction and knowledge attainment among students were assessed using independent-samples t -test. Results A total of 1000 medical students completed the survey, 506 (50.6%) basic science students and 494 (49.4%) were clinical science students. 655 (65.5%) of all students were either satisfied or neutral with e-learning. 63.6% of basic science students and 59.5% of clinical students stated that they gained and understood knowledge in the same way as or better than they did before initiation of exclusive e-learning. Satisfaction and knowledge gain were significantly affected by student preparedness (p < 0.000), teacher performance (p < 0.000), and website accessibility (p < 0.000). Conclusion Transition from traditional in-class teaching to distant learning, whether full or blended, is an inevitable step. In our sample, students were generally satisfied with e-learning and the knowledge attained using it. There was a significant relation between satisfaction and attainment and preparedness of students, teachers, and the medical school.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the necessity of e-learning, which has been integrated in education worldwide at varying degrees. The University of Jordan has started introducing e-learning in its curriculum. However, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the process. This study aims to assess the satisfaction and knowledge attainment of the medical students through distant learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This is a cross-sectional, self-reported, questionnaire-based study that was conducted at the School of Medicine at the University of Jordan in April 2020. The targeted population was the students at the school of medicine throughout the basic and clinical years of study. Results: 506 of the 1000 student participants are basic science students (BSS) and 494 are clinical science students (CS), 65.5% of all students were either satisfied, or neutral with e-learning. The most popular devices used to connect to the internet are the mobile phone, and the laptop. Streaming (Zoom and Skype) video conference platforms are used by 60% of students. Conclusion: Transition from traditional in-class teaching to distant learning, whether full or blended, is an inevitable step. It is not a lockdown redemption plan instead a step that needs commitment from the teaching institutions, the teachers, and the students.

Chronic constipation, which may be habitually or pathologically caused, is one of the most common complaints in children. One of the important pathological causes is Hirschsprung's disease (HD), which is diagnosed via multiple modalities, mainly rectal biopsy. Our aim was to compare the presentation and different predictive factors for positive rectal biopsy results in a developing country in the Middle East, such as Jordan. This cohort study was conducted at the Jordan University Hospital (JUH). All consecutive children aged <14 years who presented with refractory constipation and underwent rectal biopsies between January 2014 and December 2019 were retrospectively enrolled in the study. In the entire cohort study, 79 patients were enrolled: 45 (57%) were males and 34 (43%) were females. Regarding the biopsy results, 51 (64.6%) cases of refractory constipation without HD and 28 (35.4%) patients with refractory constipation with HD were diagnosed with open rectal biopsies. The male-to-female ratio of HD patients was 3:1. Moreover, 3 (10.7%) children who passed the meconium within the first 24 to 48 hours showed features of HD, while 17 (60.7%) children with delayed passage of the meconium showed features of HD. Abdominal distension was found to be a positive predictor of positive biopsy results (odds ratio [OR] = 4.09, P = .011), and soiling was found to be a negative predictor of positive biopsy results (OR = 0.07, P = .024). In developing countries, children presenting with HD seem to have similar symptoms and signs to those observed with traditional sampling and staining techniques.

Objective: Data regarding diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis of type one diabetes (T1D) in developing countries are scarce. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of DKA at the onset of T1D in children and adolescents in Jordan and to compare the clinical and biochemical characteristics between the group that presented with DKA and the group that did not. Methods: The records of 341 children and adolescents, less than sixteen years of age, who were diagnosed with T1D between 2015 and 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Of all the children diagnosed with T1D, 108 (31.7%) presented with DKA. The majority had mild or moderate DKA (38% and 33.3% respectively). Higher paternal education levels were associated with a lower probability of presenting with DKA (p=0.043). A family history of T1D had a protective effect on the occurrence of DKA (Odds ratio=2.138; 95% confidence interval=1.167-3.917, p=0.014). Patients with celiac disease and higher HbA1c levels were more likely to experience recurrent episodes of DKA, (p=0.004 and 0.011, respectively). Conclusion: In Jordan, the rate of DKA at presentation of T1D remains high. Prevention campaigns are needed to increase diabetes awareness among the public and healthcare providers.

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