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This study addresses two distinct but interwoven questions on the link between spirituality and religion in the lives of Syrian Muslim refugee parents. (1) How do religious and spiritual convictions impact these refugees and their families? (2) How do these convictions shape Syrian Muslim refugee parents' own positionality as caregivers and as individuals? We distinguish religious convictions as ones entrenched in the practice of organized religion (e.g., prayer and fasting), and spiritual convictions as ones associated with the frame of reference inspired by religion (e.g., embedded references to God and/or the Prophet Muhammad peace and blessing be upon him). This paper is focused on qualitative findings from 16 Syrian refugee parents (15 mothers and 1 father) and their individual families. While the study began as a pilot for an intervention program focused on early childhood education among refugee children in Jordan, it became overwhelmingly clear that the refugee parents' individual senses of parenthood, responsibility, and aspiration for their children's futures are inextricably linked to their spiritual and religious convictions. Highlights: Explores the importance of faith and spirituality in the context of refugee parenting and early childhood development. Provides insight into how refugee parents speak about their faith and spirituality in the context of their migration experiences, aspirations for their children, and as an extension of their own development. Based on a qualitative study with 16 Syrian caregivers in Jordan. Argues for the need to include awareness of and sensitivity to Islamic religious and spiritual practices in the design of interventions and programs concerning Muslim refugee children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are high-prevalence health problems among Syrian refugees. In 2014, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) identified unmet NCD care needs and began providing free-of-charge services for Syrian refugees in Irbid, Jordan. This study aimed to describe current socioeconomic and medical vulnerabilities among MSF Irbid Syrian refugee patients and their households and raise awareness of their ongoing health needs that must be addressed. A cross-sectional survey among Syrian refugees attending MSF NCD services in Irbid Governorate, Jordan was conducted by telephone interviews in January 2021 to query sociodemographic characteristics, economic situation, self-reported NCD prevalence, and Ministry of Health (MoH) policy awareness. Descriptive analysis of indicators included proportions or means presented with 95% confidence intervals. The survey included 350 patient-participants in 350 households and 2157 household members. Mean age was 28.3 years. Only 13.5% of household members had paid or self-employed work; 44% of households had no working members. Mean monthly income was 258.3 JOD (95%CI: 243.5–273.1) per household. Mean expenditures were 320.0 JOD (95%CI: 305.1–334.9). Debt was reported by 93% of households. NCD prevalence among adults was 42% (95%CI: 40–45). Hypertension was most prevalent (31.1%, 95%CI: 28.7–33.7), followed by diabetes (21.8%, 95%CI: 19.7–24.1) and cardiovascular diseases (14.4%, 95%CI: 12.6–16.4). Only 23% of interviewees were aware of subsidized MoH rates for NCD care. Twenty-nine percent stated they will not seek MoH care, mainly due to the unaffordable price. Our findings highlight increased vulnerability among MSF Irbid Syrian refugee NCD patients and their households, including: an older population; a high percentage of unemployment and reliance on cash assistance; higher proportion of households in debt and a high number of households having to resort to extreme coping mechanisms when facing a health emergency; and a higher proportion of people with multiple comorbid NCDs and physical disability. Their awareness of subsidised MoH care was low. MoH care is expected to be unaffordable for many. These people are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. It is vital that health actors providing care for Syrian refugees take action to reduce their risk, including implementing financial support mechanisms and free healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study investigated the correlation of thermodynamic parameters with the regional averaged lightning flash density in southwest Iran based on OTD/LIS observations and reanalysis datasets from 1996 to 2014. In addition, the most important parameters and their domains were identified for explaining the lightning density variance using a multiple linear regression model. The results showed that surface sensible heat flux over Syria and Jordan, CAPE over southwest Iran, sea surface temperature over the Arabian Sea, and latent heat flux over Northeastern Europe are the best parameters to predict the lightning density in winter. While in spring, CAPE over southwest Iran, the surface sensible heat flux over northeast Iran and the Arabian Sea, and air surface temperature over the Saudi Arabian Peninsula are the main factors for predicting lightning density. The regression models explain almost 90% and 93% of the lightning variability in winter and spring, respectively. The local effect of CAPE and low-level wind shear on lightning activity is more important in spring than in winter, indicating that the contribution of local lightning-generating convective activity is higher in spring. The correlation coefficient between humidity indices and lightning density showed that western moisture sources have a more important role in providing moisture to convection and lightning in winter than in spring. It is worth noting that the wind speed of jet streams at 300 hPa is positively correlated with lightning activity in winter, although their contribution to the multiple linear regression model is negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are many challenges facing Syrian refugee children with heart disease. In this report, we present the spectrum, management, and outcome of heart disease in Syrian refugee children over six-year period, highlighting challenges in management and availability of funding. Methods: Data on Syrian refugee children with heart disease diagnosed between 2012 and 2017 were collected. Patients were followed until January 2019. Data reported included age, diagnosis, recommended treatment, types of procedures done, mortality, cost, financial sources for procedures, and outcome. Results: 415 Syrian refugee children were diagnosed with heart disease at our institution. Median age was 1·9 years (0·4–6·05) years. Children were either born in Syria and fled to Jordan with their families (224, 54%), or born in Jordan to refugee parents (191, 46%). Follow-up was established for 335 patients (81%). Of 196 patients needing surgery, 130 (72%) underwent Surgery, and of 97 patients needing interventional catheterization, 95 underwent the procedure. Waiting time was 222(± 272) days for surgery and 67(± 75) days for catheterizations. Overall mortality was 17% (56 patients), of which 28 died while waiting for surgery. Cost of surgical and interventional catheterization procedures was $7820 (± $4790) and $2920 (± $2140), respectively. Funding was obtained mainly from non-government organizations, private donors, and United Nations fund. Conclusion: Despite local and international efforts to manage Syrian refugee children with heart disease, there is significant shortage in providing treatment resulting in delays and mortality. More organized efforts are needed to help with this ongoing crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing civil war in Syria created the world's largest refugee crisis since World War II. As exile continues for many Syrians, this study aimed to explore what refugees perceive as their major needs and plans for the future in comparison to what service providers believe is needed and should be planned in Jordan. Phenomenological design and inductive reasoning were used in this study to explore refugees' needs and future plans from the etic view by interviewing key informants and from the emic view by analyzing interviews with refugees. After coding and comparing the key informants' interviews and refugees' narratives, six main themes emerged: (1) gap between refugees' expectations and reality of humanitarian services; (2) rent as a major but neglected challenge; (3) older adults: vulnerable and at the back of the queue for services; (4) mental health of adults as an overlooked need; (5) education: hard to access for extremely poor and adults; and (6) an uncertain and unplanned future. Findings suggest a need for better information sharing strategies about services, targeted programs for urbane refugees and older adults, awareness-raising about importance of the mental health and protracted exile, and long-term planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The method is proposed for assessing water consumption in the transboundary basin under the scarce available data on exploitation of water resources. The method is based on analysis of the dynamic rain–flow relationship which confirms the consistent flow decline during subsequent sub-periods as a result of the increased water consumption. The proposed method was applied to the Yarmouk River Basin up to the Maqaren Station. The study area (6058 km2) includes Syrian (more 80%) and Jordanian territories. The present study provided complete information on consumption from the Yarmouk River in Syria (1971–2009) and confirmed its significant impact on flow reaching Jordan (downstream area) and on aquifer discharge through springs. During 1997–2009 the total water consumption was estimated as 76% of the Yarmouk Natural Flow vs. 24% for the measured flow at Maqaren Station. Similar estimates for surface water and for groundwater are 82% and 67% vs. 18% and 23%, respectively. In 2006–2009, annual consumption (total, SW and GW) critically increased and reached to 95–100% of the Natural Flow. The perennial base flow of the Yarmouk River at Maqaren Station is caused by outflow of springs in the outlet section of the Hreer tributary, which represents the local aquifer discharge. Its mean annual value was assessed as 120 MCM (40% of the Yarmouk natural flow) but it decreased to almost complete dry-out in 2006–2009 under conditions of the decline in the water level of the basin aquifer and the depletion and drying of the springs as the result of the unrestrained increased pumping of groundwater. These results are useful for water balance estimation as well as for assessment and management of the water resources in Syria and Jordan. The method can be adapted to real-time monitoring of the water consumption from the Yarmouk River (Syria). The proposed method can be applied to other areas with problems of the transboundary water relations under scarce water resources and limited data on the water use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]