Waterpipe tobacco smoking has increased tremendously at a global level among all age groups, particularly young people. Previous studies have examined the impact of waterpipe tobacco pictorial health ...warnings on adults but scarce studies were done on adolescents. The aim of this study was to assess the association of textual versus pictorial warnings on tumbac boxes and the motivation to quit waterpipe smoking among adolescents located in two Eastern Mediterranean countries Lebanon and Iraq.
A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and November 2022, involving 294 adolescents waterpipe smokers from Lebanon and Iraq. The questionnaire included the Lebanese Waterpipe Dependence Smoking-11, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, the Waterpipe Harm Perception Scale, Waterpipe Knowledge Scale, Waterpipe Attitude Scale, the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, and the Motivation to Stop Scale.
When adjusting the results over confounding variables, the results showed that compared to finding the warnings to stop smoking not efficacious at all, adolescents who find the warnings moderately (aOR = 2.83) and very (aOR = 6.64) efficacious had higher motivation to quit. Compared to finding the warnings not increasing their curiosity for information about how to stop waterpipe smoking at all, participants who confessed that warnings increased their curiosity a little (aOR = 2.59), moderately (aOR = 3.34) and very (aOR = 3.58) had higher motivation to quit. Compared to not considering changing the tumbac brand if the company uses pictorial warnings, adolescents who would consider changing the tumbac brand (aOR = 2.15) had higher motivation to quit.
Pictorial and textual warnings on waterpipe packs were associated with higher motivation to stop waterpipe smoking. Public health education programs for this purpose seem warranted.
Accumulating evidence has suggested that dietary polyphenols may be protective against metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, the available evidence is contradictory. The aim of this meta-analysis was ...to assess the association between dietary intake of polyphenols and the odds of MetS.
The PubMed and Scopus databases were systematically searched to obtain eligible studies. The risk of MetS for the highest versus the lowest intakes of total, subclasses and individual polyphenols were examined by pooling odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) using the random effects model.
A total of 14 studies (6 cohort and 8 cross-sectional studies) involving a total of 50,366 participants with 10,879 cases of MetS were included. When various polyphenol compounds were pooled, they were significantly related to a 22% decreased odds of MetS ((5 studies; OR: 0.78; 95%CI: 0.72-0.85). Higher intakes of total flavonoids ((9 studies; OR: 0.78; 95%CI: 0.72-0.85), flavan-3-ols ((2 studies; OR: 0.64; 95%CI: 0.43-0.94), isoflavones ((3 studies; OR: 0.84; 95%CI: 0.75-0.93), stilbenes ((4 studies; OR: 0.86; 95%CI: 0.76-0.97), flavones ((2 studies; OR: 0.79; 95%CI: 0.71-0.89), and quercetin ((2 studies; OR: 0.63; 95%CI: 0.43-0.93) were also significantly associated with a decreased risk of MetS. The associations were not modified by the age of the participants. No association was found for total polyphenols, phenolic acids, lignans, anthocyanins, and flavonols.
The results of this meta-analysis supported that higher polyphenol intake can lower the risk of MetS.
Background
The use of cosmetic products is growing in dominance in the Arab population, making it essential to measure its effects on users. The production of cosmetics has been largely driven by ...consumerism and a bid to keep abreast with the latest trends in the beauty industry with less attention on how the users' quality of life (QoL) is affected.
Aims
This study aims to investigate the effect of cosmetic products on users' quality of life in eight Arab countries.
Methods
A cross‐sectional study was carried out using an online data collection approach. A validated and specialist instrument tool called BeautyQoL, which consists of five domains and a total of 52 questions, was distributed to a sample of 2219 cosmetic users. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was done using SPSS® version 26.0.
Results
The mean age of participants was 34 ± 11.25 years, and more women were represented in the sample (71%) than men. The majority of respondents had oily skin type (39.6%) and tan skin tone (30.4%). QoL through cosmetic use is computed with a mean score of 51 out of 100. The users' mean score satisfaction from cosmetic use is centred on attractiveness (56.1), followed by self‐confidence (51.8). Cosmetics have a statistically significant effect on participants who are young adults, women, single, and employed with high income. As the respondents' skin tone deepens from very fair to dark, the mean score for each domain significantly increases, whereas when skin type changes from very oily to dry, the mean score for each domain decreases.
Conclusion
The effect of cosmetics on the users' QoL is limited, contrary to the narrative commonly portrayed in cosmetics' advertisements. Therefore, the use of cosmetics among the Arab population should be from an informed perspective of their specific needs instead of conforming to the viral trends pedaled by influencers and bloggers on social media, which might be irrelevant for them.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the educational sector has undergone a series of changes which have affected both learners and students alike. As a result, the distortion of the students' daily ...routine, isolation, social distancing and potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus changed almost all of the aspects of student life which has led to exhaustion of students, with both psychological and emotional challenges. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to determine the factors that have a significant impact on the level of lockdown fatigue among university students in the era of COVID-19.
A cross sectional was undertaken for this study. A questionnaire was designed and then shared electronically with the respondents of this study. The respondents were 819 students from tertiary institutions in Iraq. Some of the scales used in ranking the responses of the participants are the Lockdown Fatigue scale, Brief Resilience Scale and Coping Behaviours questionnaire. Data analysis was.
Overall, the students had a high level of fatigue due to lockdown-measurement. Emptiness was one of the dominant feelings experienced by the students, along with concern for the safety and well-being of their own families. There was general agreement that students take a long time to return to normal routines after stressful events. The students also indicated that they cope with the lockdown through a variety of activities, ranging from making jokes about the situation to putting their faith in a higher power. Male student were less likely to suffer from lockdown-fatigue, however, studying in public university, being from urban areas, and studying in science field are the most significant factors that increase the level of lockdown. However, lower levels of lockdown fatigue were linked to significantly higher levels of personal resilience and coping abilities.
High level of lockdown fatigue among students is noticed, and several factors have been identified. Therefore, it is helpful for students to consistently work on reinforcing positive habits which would help them to build resilience when they are subjected to stressful conditions and scenarios.
•Only 56% of Arab parents plan to vaccinate their children, indicating that there are still some reservations among them.•Many parents are reluctant to vaccinate their children because of the ...vaccine's side effects, efficacy, safety, and scheduling difficulties.•Parents were encouraged to vaccinate their children through a doctor's advice, enough information, public acceptance of the vaccine, and a school district's obligation, among other methods.
The issue around vaccination of children has brought divergent opinions among the populations across the globe and among the Arab population. There has been a low response rate to the calls for vaccination of children and this is reflective of the sentiments which parents may have towards their children being vaccinated. This study aims to explore the parents’ health beliefs, intentions, and strategies towards the COVID-19 vaccine for their children among Arab population.
A cross-sectional study using an online survey from October to December 2021, was carried out in five Arab countries in the Middle East. A reliable health belief model (HBM) including five domains: severity, susceptibility, benefits, barriers and cues to action, was adopted. Chi-square, Mann–Whitney test, and multivariable logistic regression were performed for data analysis.
The survey response rate was 58 % (1154/2000). Only 56 % of Arab parents are intended to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. The mean scores of parental health belief are largely driven by their concern over the vaccine’s side effect (p = 0.001) followed by its efficacy, safety (p < 0.001), and scheduling difficulty (p = 0.029). However, strategies that were statistically encouraged parents to vaccinate their children included doctor’s recommendation, adequate information being provided, and acceptance of the vaccine by public (p < 0.001). Parents with one child were almost three times most likely to vaccinate their children (OR = 2.660, 95 %CI = 1.572–4.504, p < 0.001). Parents' desire to vaccinate their children is also influenced by other factors such as job loss owing to COVID-19 and the presence of a health worker in the family.
Intention of Arab parents to vaccinate their children via COVID-19 vaccine is still limited. Thus, it is essential for health care authorities to avail the information which will debunk the erroneous beliefs which some parents have developed towards the vaccination of children against COVID-19.
Objective: Intravenous errors are one of the most frequent and common medical errors, but no direct causes found. The theory of human error is the most common expression of errors in hospitals, and ...this can endanger the lives of patients. This research study aims to identify the errors in the vein and try to find solutions to avoid those errors where the study conducted on a sample of hospitals in Baghdad.
Methods: The study conducted to improve health quality in some hospitals. During the study period, a group of severe cases was detected, which based on intravenous infusions. Patients’ data and information were collected through five sources, examined and documented venous errors found and placed in a standard classification according to an incorrect dose and incorrect medication. The incorrect dose includes the following: Overdose, extra dose, underdose, wrong strength, and wrong form.
Results: During the period of study, a total of 99 cases, among these cases, 52 incorrect medications include (drug-drug interaction, drug-disease interaction, and not indicated medication) the incorrect dose 42 and route of administration and incorrect rate also take place in mistakes.
Conclusion: Intravenous errors can cause significant harm to patients and health-care providers, so proper attention paid to them. Several reasons may cause medication errors such as lack of experience and knowledge of health-care providers, inaccurate communications that do not explain the drug, and the exact dose. The prescribing errors in the medication or dosage were collected, discussed, and clarified so that the risks arising from them observed so that health-care providers and hospital specialists would be alerted and the study would serve as an alarm for health organizations.
DRUGS IN PREGNANCY AL-ANI, OMAR ABDULWAHID
Asian journal of pharmaceutical and clinical research,
04/2020
Journal Article
Objective: During pregnancy, various drugs associated with a contraindication, hence their application is limited and dangerous to mothers along with the fetus. Even though during pregnancy, ...medication is less preferred but in some instances cannot escape treating the ailments in mother. So here we discussed the medication that can be used safely during pregnancy along with the drugs which are unsafe or highly contraindicated for both mother and the fetus; the problems or complications may be attributed to possible drug interactions during the pregnancy.
Methods: The study was conducted from October 2018 until February 2019 in Baghdad, Iraq. It is conducted in four hospitals: Baghdad teaching hospital, Iraqi Red Crescent Society, Saint Raphael (Al Rahibat) Hospital, and Al-Elwiya Educational Hospital. The medical staff in these hospitals assessed for their knowledge about drug effects, complications, and safety during pregnancy. Those medical staff assayed was divided into three groups: Physicians, pharmacists, and other medical staff (47 pharmacists, 38 physicians, and 15 nurses who participated in this study).
Results: We found that the majority of doctors and pharmacists useful information on pregnancy categories which is a good indicator of the knowledge of these specialists as the subject of drugs and their impact on pregnant women and the fetus is sensitive and vital because it affects all segments of society.
Conclusion: It is the responsibility of all clinicians, including pharmacists, to counsel patients with complete, accurate, and current information on the risks and benefits of using medications during pregnancy.
Governments worldwide have imposed lockdowns in their countries to restrict unnecessary movement and curb the spread and transmission of the Covid-19 as a mitigation measure. The education sector has ...also implemented rapid changes, and this has transformed the operational procedures for both students and lecturers. As the pandemic has progressed, its emotional and psychological toll is equally bearing on students, leading to lockdown fatigue. This study aimed to investigate the level of lockdown-induced fatigue and its correlation with personal resilience and coping skills among university students in Iraq. This study used quantitative methods of research using a cross-sectional study design. A questionnaire survey was distributed electronically among 819 university students in Iraq. The study used three standardised scales: the lockdown fatigue scale, brief resilience scale, and coping behaviours questionnaire for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were done using SPSS. Overall, students indicated a high level of lockdown fatigue with a mean score of 33.48out of 50. Fear of personal safety and the wellbeing of the family was the most fear expressed by the students. The ability to go through stressful times and unpleasant events was the most common worry among the students. Female, urbanised, and science field students were the most students who suffered from lockdown-induced fatigue. However, positive coping behaviours and personal resilience were significantly correlated with decreasing fatigue levels during the lockdown period. Level of lockdown fatigue accelerated in an alarming stage among university students in Iraq. Hence, students need to build their emotional resilience and learn how to navigate surviving hard times and bounce back after a loss. This could be facilitated by counselling services being availed to educational and social institutions to benefit university students.
Objective: The importance of measuring the blood level of modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) molecules is an effective method of identifying people at risk of coronary atherosclerosis; this is ...because, in the early stages of atherosclerosis, lipolysis and oxidative modification have a role in promoting the uptake of these lipids through macrophages; therefore, this research aims to measure the level of glycated LDL (Gly-LDL) in the blood and its association with metabolic parameters of diabetic patients (diabetes mellitus) and non-diabetic (hyperlipidemia).
Methods: At a University Diabetes Center in Riyadh, we using routine automatic analysis methods, fasting serum samples were analyzed for 31 patients with Type-2 diabetes and 31 non-diabetic patients for LDL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin, glucose, and triglycerides (TG), and using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to analyze Gly-LDL for the same sample.
Results: The level of serum Gly-LDL in non-diabetic was higher than in diabetic patients (p=0.037). Gly-LDL level correlated significantly with LDL in the diabetic group (p=0.035) and was insignificant with other parameters; moreover, it is significantly correlated with HDL (p=0.048), TG (p=0.035), and very LDL (p=0.03) in the non-diabetic group and insignificant with other parameters.
Conclusion: Measuring rates of Gly-LDL can be used in the early detection of cardiovascular disease, especially in people with diabetes, as they are more susceptible to modified and oxidized LDL.
Abstract
Objectives
Antibiotic usage has evolved over the years among the Arab population, and it has also gone under misuse resulting in the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Therefore, ...the current study aimed to address this issue by evaluating the level of knowledge and attitude of Arab population towards antibiotic usage and AMR to develop a pathway to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was carried out among Arab population, including 11 countries from the Middle East and North Africa. A validated and translated questionnaire, consisting of 34 questions, was adopted to achieve the study objectives. Two phases of data collection (online and offline) were performed, and SPSS was used for data analysis.
Key findings
Three thousand three hundred and nineteen participants were successfully recruited, and the mean age was 37.6 ± 11.73. Approximately 63% of participants wrongly answered they should stop antibiotics when they feel better, and 73.3% of them thought antibiotics could treat cold and flu. Nearly half of the respondents indicated that they were uncertain of how antibiotic resistance affects the body (48.1%), and they were unaware if it could affect them or their families (63.1%). While the majority of the respondents were prescribed antibiotics by a doctor, over half of them were not given any advice on how to take them. Our data showed a significant relationship between respondents’ demographic data (e.g. country, age and education) and their knowledge and attitude.
Conclusions
Participants had poor knowledge of antibiotics and AMR; thus, efforts are needed to conduct health campaigns in public places and create and implement programmes aiming to raise knowledge and awareness of people in the Arab regions. These could aid to curb the risk of antibiotic resistance and increase the chance of successful treatment for infectious diseases.
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