المؤلفون: Bawadi H; School of Nursing, The University of Jordan, Aljubeiha, Amman, Jordan., Al-Hamdan Z; Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Khader Y; Department of Community Medicine, Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Aldalaykeh M; Faculty of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.

المصدر: Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale = al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit [East Mediterr Health J] 2022 Mar 29; Vol. 28 (3), pp. 197-203. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Mar 29.

نوع المنشور: Journal Article

بيانات الدورية: Publisher: Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization Country of Publication: Egypt NLM ID: 9608387 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1687-1634 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10203397 NLM ISO Abbreviation: East Mediterr Health J Subsets: MEDLINE

مواضيع طبية MeSH: Mental Health Services* , Refugees*/psychology, Health Services Accessibility ; Humans ; Jordan ; Syria

مستخلص: Background: More than 650 000 Syrian refugees are hosted in Jordan. Refugees are at high risk of mental health problems.
Aims: To explore the perspectives of Syrian refugees and their host communities and community leaders in Jordan on barriers and facilitators to the use of mental health services by Syrian refugees.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used to collect data through individual, semistructured interviews conducted between May and December 2019 in Jordan. A purposive sample was recruited from different sites.
Results: Twenty-four individual interviews were conducted: 16 for the clients and 8 for the community leaders. Three themes emerged as barriers to accessing mental health services: (1) lack of awareness of mental illness and available services; (2) availability, accessibility and affordability of mental health services; and (3) stigma and social discrimination. Findings show that respondents had low mental health literacy levels.
Conclusion: Policy-makers, care providers and decision-makers should take the findings of this study into consideration by facilitating the use of mental health services through awareness-raising about mental illness and the provision of services at primary health care centres. Making the service available near to the people who require it and incorporating mental health services into a broad-based community environment such as schools, primary health centres, or case management system are recommended as a common strategy that could help address refugee needs.
(Copyright © World Health Organization (WHO) 2022. Open Access. Some rights reserved. This work is available under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo).)

المؤلفون: Beni Yonis O; Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Khader Y; Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Al-Mistarehi AH; Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Abu Khudair S; Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary., Dawoud M; Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.

المصدر: Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale = al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit [East Mediterr Health J] 2021 Dec 28; Vol. 27 (12), pp. 1162-1172. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Dec 28.

نوع المنشور: Journal Article

بيانات الدورية: Publisher: Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization Country of Publication: Egypt NLM ID: 9608387 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1687-1634 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10203397 NLM ISO Abbreviation: East Mediterr Health J Subsets: MEDLINE

مواضيع طبية MeSH: Refugees*, Adolescent ; Anxiety ; Anxiety Disorders ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Jordan/epidemiology ; Syria/epidemiology

مستخلص: Background: There is a high prevalence of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, nicotine dependence, and sleep disorders among Jordanian adolescents and schoolchildren. There are many young Syrian refugees in Jordan, who have an increased risk of physical and psychological illnesses.
Aims: To assess the behavioural and emotional symptoms among Syrian schoolchildren refugees in Jordan and their Jordanian counterparts.
Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from October to December 2018 on Syrian and Jordanian schoolchildren, aged 12-17 years, attending the same schools in 4 cities with the highest density of Syrian refugees. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect information about sociodemographic characteristics. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to measure behavioural and emotional symptoms.
Results: This study included 1877 Jordanian schoolchildren and 1768 Syrian schoolchildren refugees. The Syrian children's parents were significantly less educated and had significantly lower incomes and larger families than Jordanian parents had. The total difficulties and peer relationship problems were abnormally high in more than half of children. Compared to Jordanians, Syrian schoolchildren had more total difficulties (58.2% vs 52.5%), and peer relationship (55.5 vs 53.6%), conduct (47.6% vs 44.8%), and emotional problems (32.0% vs 30.8%), but they had fewer hyperactivity/inattention problems (35.5% vs 36.9%), and prosocial behaviour problems (42.5% vs 43.0%). In binary logistic regression, Syrian were more likely than Jordanian schoolchildren to experience overall difficulties and emotional symptoms.
Conclusion: There were significant but unspoken behavioural and emotional symptoms and mental health needs among Syrian and Jordanian schoolchildren. They are all in need of urgent psychosocial support.
(Copyright © World Health Organization (WHO) 2021. Open Access. Some rights reserved. This work is available under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo).)

المؤلفون: Al Hourani H; Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan., Ababneh R; National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan., Khawaja N; National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan., Khader Y; Department of Public Health. Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Ajlouni K; National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.

المصدر: Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale = al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit [East Mediterr Health J] 2020 Dec 09; Vol. 26 (12), pp. 1502-1509. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Dec 09.

نوع المنشور: Journal Article

بيانات الدورية: Publisher: Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization Country of Publication: Egypt NLM ID: 9608387 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1687-1634 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10203397 NLM ISO Abbreviation: East Mediterr Health J Subsets: MEDLINE

مواضيع طبية MeSH: Anorexia Nervosa*/diagnosis , Anorexia Nervosa*/epidemiology , Binge-Eating Disorder* , Bulimia Nervosa* , Feeding and Eating Disorders*/epidemiology, Adolescent ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans

مستخلص: Background: Studies on eating disorders among Jordanian adolescents have reported variable prevalence rates of 12-40%.
Aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of eating disorders among Jordanian adolescents with and without dysglycaemia and determine the associated factors.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted during the period November 2017-February 2018. The Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale was used to assess the presence of different types of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. A typical anorexia nervosa and purging disorder were considered "other eating disorders" in this study.
Results: This study included 497 patients with dysglycaemia and 504 age-matched nondysglycaemic participants. Patients with dysglycaemia had a significantly higher prevalence of binge eating disorders compared with nondysglycaemic participants (11.9% vs 5.8%, P < 0.001). In dysglycaemia group, adolescents who were aged ≥ 14 years were more likely to have bulimia nervosa compared with those < 14 years old. Patients with a sedentary lifestyle were less likely to have bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorders. In the nondysglycaemic group, those aged 14-18 years were more likely to have other eating disorders. Those with dysglycaemia were more likely to have binge eating disorders than those in the nondysglycaemic group (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3-3.3; P = 0.002) after adjusting for possible confounders.
Conclusions: Adolescents with dysglycaemia had higher prevalence of eating disorders compared with their nondysglycaemic peers. Screening for eating disorders is recommended among adolescents to secure early detection and subsequent intervention.
(Copyright © World Health Organization (WHO) 2020. Open Access. Some rights reserved. This work is available under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo).)

المؤلفون: Jabareen H; College of Nursing, Hebron University, Hebron, Palestine., Khader Y; Department of Public Health, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Taweel A; Department of Computer Science, Birzeit University, Ramallah, Palestine.

المصدر: Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale = al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit [East Mediterr Health J] 2020 Nov 11; Vol. 26 (11), pp. 1323-1330. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Nov 11.

نوع المنشور: Journal Article

بيانات الدورية: Publisher: Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization Country of Publication: Egypt NLM ID: 9608387 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1687-1634 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10203397 NLM ISO Abbreviation: East Mediterr Health J Subsets: MEDLINE

مواضيع طبية MeSH: Health Information Systems* , Medical Informatics*, Health Personnel ; Humans ; Jordan ; Surveys and Questionnaires

مستخلص: Background: Some Arab countries have health information systems (HIS) in place but they lack well trained IT staff. Poor management and lack of appreciation of the importance of HIS are major barriers to development and adoption of HIS in Arab hospitals.
Aims: This research is part of a survey carried out to determine health informatics (HI) use and to assess the training needs of health professionals in Jordan and Palestine.
Methods: A survey was conducted in 2017 among employees in all health professions at 14 hospitals in Jordan and Palestine to assess their use of the HI system and to assess the HI skills needed in both countries.
Results: The majority of respondents reported that their hospital departments were employing computer systems to run services. More than half had received training in computer skills but also half said they needed specialized training in HI. Between 58.0% and 73.6% agreed that their hospitals provided the necessary support to operate HI systems. The vast majority (86.0%) of health professionals reported that they needed skills to monitor diagnosis and treatment, including access to clinical findings. Other skills needed included using shared hospital services (85.6%), using medical records (84.7%), managing electronic patient data (84.5%), using patient medical records to conduct clinical research (83.4%), and using tele-care services and technologies effectively (75.9%).
Conclusions: Health professionals in Palestine and Jordan are in need of training in HI and therefore educational programmes in the area of HI are strongly recommended.
(Copyright © World Health Organization (WHO) 2020. Open Access. Some rights reserved. This work is available under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo).)

المؤلفون: Abdo N; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Douglas S; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Batieha A; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Khader Y; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Jaddou H; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Al-Khatib S; Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., El-Khatib M; National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Genetics, Amman, Jordan., AbuZaid H; Royal Health Services, Jordanian Royal Medical Services, Amman, Jordan., Ajlouni K; National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Genetics, Amman, Jordan.

المصدر: Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale = al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit [East Mediterr Health J] 2019 Jul 24; Vol. 25 (5), pp. 341-349. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Jul 24.

نوع المنشور: Journal Article

بيانات الدورية: Publisher: Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization Country of Publication: Egypt NLM ID: 9608387 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1687-1634 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10203397 NLM ISO Abbreviation: East Mediterr Health J Subsets: MEDLINE

مواضيع طبية MeSH: Anemia/*diagnosis , Anemia/*epidemiology, Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Jordan/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Qualitative Research ; Young Adult

مستخلص: Background: Anaemia is a global public health problem particularly in low- and middle-income countries and may be associated with serious health consequences. Limited studies, if any, have examined the prevalence and risk factors of anaemia in Jordan at the national level.
Aims: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anaemia in Jordan for both sexes at the national level and to identify high-risk population subgroups.
Methods: A national population-based household sample was selected from the 12 governorates of Jordan in 2017. A total of 1125 males and 2797 females aged between 18 and 90 years were included. The prevalence of anaemia, overall and among subgroups of the population was estimated using Hb level as per WHO definition.
Results: Results showed prevalence of anaemia to be 4.9% in males, 19.3% in non-pregnant females, and 27.4% in pregnant females. The age standardized prevalence rates were 4.9% in males and 19.3% in females. The age standardized prevalence rates were 4.9% in males and 19.3% in females. Anaemia was predominantly mild (males: 81%, non-pregnant females: 57%, and pregnant females: 65.2%). Sex, age, region, marital status, and education were significantly associated with anaemia. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) accounted for 68% of anaemic females and 38% of anaemic males.
Conclusions: The prevalence of anaemia in Jordan is lower than previously reported by WHO and the majority of anaemia was mild. Iron deficiency anaemia was the the most common type of anaemia, particularly in females. Flour fortification with iron and folic acid could have accounted for the decline of anaemia in Jordan.
(Copyright © World Health Organization (WHO) 2019. Some rights reserved. This work is available under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo).)

المؤلفون: Alzoubi K, Al-Azzam S, Alhusban A, Mukattash T, Al-Zubaidy S, Alomari N, Khader Y

المصدر: Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale = al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit [East Mediterr Health J] 2013 May; Vol. 19 (5), pp. 478-84.

نوع المنشور: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

بيانات الدورية: Publisher: Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization Country of Publication: Egypt NLM ID: 9608387 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 1020-3397 (Print) Linking ISSN: 10203397 NLM ISO Abbreviation: East Mediterr Health J Subsets: MEDLINE

مواضيع طبية MeSH: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*, Anti-Bacterial Agents/*adverse effects , Anti-Bacterial Agents/*therapeutic use, Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Educational Status ; Female ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Jordan ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

مستخلص: This study aimedto assess general knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of people towards the use of antibiotics. Individuals referring to the outpatient pharmacies of 2 major teaching hospitals in the north of Jordan completed a self-administered, validated questionnaire. A total of 1091 individuals (56.8% males) participated in the study. Of these, 20.1% of the participants stated that antibiotics were used for bacterial infections, while 18.3% thought they were used for viral infections and 43.6% for mixed bacterial/viral infections. The average knowledge score of the participants about antibiotic uses and side-effects was low. Middle-aged participants and those with an education beyond high school had significantly higher knowledge scores about antibiotics use. Almost 75% of the participants disagreed that antibiotics could be given without a prescription.

المؤلفون: Al-Waleedi AA; Department of Community Medicine, Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Aden University, Yemen., Khader YS

المصدر: Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale = al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit [East Mediterr Health J] 2012 Jun; Vol. 18 (6), pp. 624-9.

نوع المنشور: Journal Article

بيانات الدورية: Publisher: Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization Country of Publication: Egypt NLM ID: 9608387 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 1020-3397 (Print) Linking ISSN: 10203397 NLM ISO Abbreviation: East Mediterr Health J Subsets: MEDLINE

مواضيع طبية MeSH: Blood Donors*, Hepatitis B/*epidemiology , Hepatitis C/*epidemiology, Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Yemen/epidemiology

مستخلص: This study determined the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV ) and associated risk factors among blood donors in Aden city, Yemen. A systematic sample of 469 male blood donors was selected from those attending the national blood bank service in Aden between June and October 2007. Data were collected by questionnaire and blood samples collected. Of the 469 participants, 24 (5.1%) were positive for HBsAg and 6 (1.3%) for anti-HCV. In multivariate analysis, history of: blood transfusion (OR = 22.8), dental treatment (OR = 3.6), cupping (OR = 3.9) and malaria infection (OR = 6.8) were significantly associated with being positive for HBsAg. Those with history of blood donation were less likely to be positive for HBsAg (OR = 0.17). Those with a history of blood donation were significantly less likely to be positive for anti-HCV positivity (OR = 0.05), while those with history of blood transfusion were more likely to test positive (OR = 65.6). The prevalence of HBV and HCV among blood donors in Yemen is still high compared to many other countries.

المؤلفون: Okour AM; Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. aokour@just.edu.jo, Khader Y, Amarin Z, Jaddou H, Gharaibeh M

المصدر: Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale = al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit [East Mediterr Health J] 2012 May; Vol. 18 (5), pp. 426-31.

نوع المنشور: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

بيانات الدورية: Publisher: Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization Country of Publication: Egypt NLM ID: 9608387 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 1020-3397 (Print) Linking ISSN: 10203397 NLM ISO Abbreviation: East Mediterr Health J Subsets: MEDLINE

مواضيع طبية MeSH: Health Services Accessibility* , Maternal Mortality* , Patient Acceptance of Health Care* , Quality of Health Care*, Pregnancy Complications/*prevention & control, Adult ; Cause of Death ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Jordan/epidemiology ; Pregnancy

مستخلص: Understanding the factors that operate during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum is the key to success in the prevention of maternal mortality. This cross-sectional survey in Jordan for the years 2007-2008 aimed to identify the role of substandard care and delays in maternal deaths. All maternal deaths among women aged 15-49 years over this period (n = 76) were investigated retrospectively through file review and household interviews in all hospitals (n = 102) and forensic medicine departments in Jordan; elements of substandard care and delays at hospital, home and transport levels were evaluated. Substandard care accounted for 52.6% of deaths, delay in seeking care 55.3%, delay in transport 15.8% and delay in hospital care 17.1%. Women who did not recognize the danger signs of pregnancy (OR 6.32), refused medical advice to terminate the pregnancy (OR 1.78) or at a gestational age > 37 weeks (OR 1.85) were significantly more likely to delay seeking care, as were those with larger mean family size.

المؤلفون: Alkafajei A; Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Amarin Z, Alazaizeh W, Khader Y, Marji M

المصدر: Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale = al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit [East Mediterr Health J] 2012 Feb; Vol. 18 (2), pp. 132-6.

نوع المنشور: Journal Article

بيانات الدورية: Publisher: Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization Country of Publication: Egypt NLM ID: 9608387 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 1020-3397 (Print) Linking ISSN: 10203397 NLM ISO Abbreviation: East Mediterr Health J Subsets: MEDLINE

مواضيع طبية MeSH: Hypothyroidism/*diagnosis , Hypothyroidism/*epidemiology , Pregnancy Complications/*diagnosis , Pregnancy Complications/*epidemiology, Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism/complications ; Jordan/epidemiology ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First/physiology ; Prevalence ; Reference Values ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

مستخلص: The aim of this cross-sectional study in Jordan was to estimate the prevalence of hypothyroidism among women during early pregnancy and to assess the association of risk factors with hypothyroidism. According to internationally adopted thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) pregnancy reference ranges (TSH > or = 2.6 mlU/L and T4 10.6-20.4 pmol/L), 67 of 322 (20.8%) women were diagnosed with sub-clinical hypothyroidism. When the general laboratory criteria were applied (TSH > or = 4.6 mlU/L and T4 < 10.6 pmol/L) the prevalence dropped to 4.3%. No cases of overt hypothyroidism were diagnosed using either diagnostic criterion. Younger age and being in gestational weeks 1-8 were significant risk factors for hypothyroidism. It is suggested that the reference criteria need revision, and that pathology laboratories should adopt appropriate pregnancy-specific reference intervals.

المؤلفون: Mesmar M; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan., Shatnawi NJ, Faori I, Khader YS

المصدر: Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale = al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit [East Mediterr Health J] 2011 Aug; Vol. 17 (8), pp. 651-5.

نوع المنشور: Journal Article

بيانات الدورية: Publisher: Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization Country of Publication: Egypt NLM ID: 9608387 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 1020-3397 (Print) Linking ISSN: 10203397 NLM ISO Abbreviation: East Mediterr Health J Subsets: MEDLINE

مواضيع طبية MeSH: Appointments and Schedules* , Efficiency, Organizational* , Elective Surgical Procedures*, Humans ; Jordan ; Prospective Studies

مستخلص: Cancellation of elective scheduled operations leads to an inefficient use of operating room time and a waste of resources. This prospective records-based study aimed to determine the rate of and reasons for cancellations of scheduled elective surgical operations in a major teaching referral hospital in Jordan. Over a period of 12 months, cancellation was recorded in 382 (3.6%) of 10 485 scheduled elective surgical operations. Day unit cancellations accounted for 27.5% and inpatient cancellations for 72.5%. Patient-related reasons, administrative and medical reasons accounted for 31.4%, 30.4% and 38.2% of all cancelled operations respectively. The most common patient-related reason for cancellation was patient non-attendance. The most common administrative reason for cancellations was unavailability of hospital admission beds. Although the cancellation rate was low in comparison with the reported rates worldwide, reductions might be achieved by adopting some important interventions, especially better bed utilization.