1
|
Ziadé N, Abbas N, Hmamouchi I, El Kibbi L, Maroof A, Elzorkany B, Abdulateef N, Adnan A, Ihsan Awadh N, Gorial FI, Alchama N, Haouichat C, Alnaimat F, Hannawi S, Atawnah S, Halabi H, Al Mashaleh M, Aljazwi L, Abogamal A, Ayoub L, Bouajina E, Bahiri R, Saad S, Sabkar M, Aouad K, Gossec L. Is the patient-perceived impact of psoriatic arthritis a global concept? An international study in 13 Arab countries (TACTIC study). Rheumatol Int 2024; 44:885-899. [PMID: 38498150 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-024-05552-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
The Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease (PsAID-12) questionnaire, a recommended measure of patient-reported impact for psoriatic arthritis (PsA), was initially developed in Europe and may lack universal validity. Recognizing the need for a culturally appropriate tool for Arab patients, this study aimed to TranslAte, CulTurally adapt, and validate the PsAID in ArabIC (TACTIC). The PsAID-12 was translated into Arabic using a rigorous process of double translation, back-translation, and cognitive debriefing. The Arabic version was then validated through a study conducted in 13 Arab countries in 2022. Participants were consecutive literate adult patients diagnosed with PsA and fulfilling the CASPAR criteria. Collected data included PsAID-12, disease activity, and legacy patient-reported outcomes. Psychometric properties, such as internal consistency, construct validity, and test-retest reliability, were examined. Factors associated with high PsAID-12 total scores (> 4) were explored using multivariable binary logistic regression. A culturally adapted Arabic PsAID-12 questionnaire was achieved with minor rephrasing. The validation study included 554 patients from 13 countries (mean age 45 years, 59% females), with a mean PsAID score of 3.86 (SD 2.33). The Arabic PsAID-12 demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.95), and correlations with other measures ranged from 0.63 to 0.78. Test-retest reliability (N = 138 patients) was substantial (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC 0.90 [0.86-0.93]; Cohen's kappa 0.80). Factors associated with a high PsAID score were disability (odds ratio, OR 3.15 [2.03-4.89]), depression (OR 1.56 [1.35-1.81]), widespread pain (OR 1.31 [1.12-1.53]), and disease activity (OR 1.29 [1.13-1.47]). Pain and fatigue were identified as the most impactful PsAID-12 domains for PsA patients. The Arabic PsAID is a valid and reliable measure that reflects the priorities of patients with PsA. PsAID scores correlated with disease activity and legacy outcome measures, as expected, indicating PsAID is a consistent measure of PsA impact across cultures. These findings highlight the potential of the Arabic PsAID in improving the care provided to Arabic-speaking patients worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nelly Ziadé
- Saint-Joseph University, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Noura Abbas
- Saint-Joseph University, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ihsane Hmamouchi
- Laboratory of Clinical Research and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco
- Health Sciences College, International University of Rabat (UIR), Rabat, Morocco
| | - Lina El Kibbi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Specialized Medical Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Avin Maroof
- University of Kurdistan-Hewler (UKH) School of Medicine; and Rizgary Hospital Erbil, Erbil, Iraq
| | | | - Nizar Abdulateef
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Asal Adnan
- Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq
| | | | - Faiq Isho Gorial
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Nada Alchama
- Rheumatology Department, Ibn Al-Nafees Hospital, Damascus, Syria
| | - Chafika Haouichat
- Rheumatology Department, Djilali Bounaama University Hospital, Khemis Miliana, Douera, Algiers, Algeria
- Faculty of Medicine El Mahdi Si Ahmed., Blida, Algeria
| | - Fatima Alnaimat
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Suad Hannawi
- Rheumatology Department, Emirates Health Services, Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai, UAE
| | - Saed Atawnah
- Al-Ahli Hospital, Al-Quds University, Hebron, Palestine
| | - Hussein Halabi
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manal Al Mashaleh
- Rheumatology Division of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Medical Centre, Royal Medical Services, Jordan Armed Forces, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Ahmed Abogamal
- Al-Azhar Faculty of Medicine, Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital, Dubai, UAE
| | - Laila Ayoub
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Tripoli Central Hospital, Tripoli, Libya
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
| | | | - Rachid Bahiri
- El Ayachi Hospital, Medical University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Sahar Saad
- Assiut Medical School of Egypt, King Hamad University Hospital Bahrain, Al Sayh, Bahrain
| | - Maha Sabkar
- King Hamad University Hospital, Al Sayh, Bahrain
| | - Krystel Aouad
- Saint George Hospital University Medical Centre, Saint George University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Laure Gossec
- INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Rheumatology Department, AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Théolier J, Dominguez S, Godefroy S. Lead exposure from honey: meta-analysis and risk assessment for the Arab region. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2024; 41:271-286. [PMID: 38270899 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2024.2306647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The Codex Alimentarius Commission has adopted a maximum level for lead in honey (0.1 mg/kg). Despite representing a population of more than half a billion, exposure and risk assessments for lead specific to the Arab region are lacking. The aim of this work was to collect analytical data for lead in honey available in Arab countries and to assess the risk caused by exposure to lead from these samples for local consumers. A regional mean lead concentration in honey, obtained through a meta-analysis of 57 studies, was used in deterministic risk assessments for adults (nephrotoxicity and cardiovascular effects) and young children (developmental neurotoxicity). A regional pooled mean concentration of 0.12 mg/kg [95%CI: 0.07-0.21] (0.13 mg/kg, if non-detects are considered at their highest possible value) was obtained. Margins of exposure of 363 [71-17182] and 865 [168-40909] were calculated for adults, and of 48 [9-2273] for children, indicating potential concern for the latter population subset. These values were produced using GEMS consumption data, and considering the same intake for both children and adults, potentially overestimating the risk for children. Nevertheless, food competent authorities should consider measures to reduce lead concentration in honey available for sale in the region to prevent trade constraints and to better protect vulnerable populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jérémie Théolier
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Laval University, Québec, Canada
- Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS), Québec, Canada
| | - Silvia Dominguez
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Laval University, Québec, Canada
- Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS), Québec, Canada
| | - Samuel Godefroy
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Laval University, Québec, Canada
- Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS), Québec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ghazi M, Saleh A, Abdallah M, El Masri D, El Masri J, El Ayoubi LM, Hawi J, Jurjus A. Barriers toward xenotransplantation in Arab World. Xenotransplantation 2024; 31:e12852. [PMID: 38526015 DOI: 10.1111/xen.12852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Organ transplant is a crucial therapeutic strategy offering a life-saving and transformative medical intervention. It provides an opportunity to improve their quality of life and increase their lifespan. The shortage of organs remains a critical global challenge, leading to a prolonged waiting times for organ receivers, which contributes to an increase in morbidity and mortality rates. Hence, xenotransplantation offered a promising solution to the global shortage of organs through the use of animal organs, leading to an increase in donor availability, reducing waiting times, minimizing organ trafficking, improving genetic engineering advancements, and driving scientific innovation. Even though xenotransplantation has many benefits in the clinical setting, it has many barriers that are hindering its achievements and constraining its occurrence. Some barriers to xenotransplant are general, such as the immunological barrier, while others are specific to certain regions due to local causes. The Arab region exhibits disparities in clinical settings compared to the global context, marked by the huge economic crisis and a shortage of trained healthcare professionals. Considering the huge resources and advancements needed in the field of xenotransplantation, this review aims to explore the specific barriers toward xenotransplantation in the Arab countries, highlighting the challenges to overcome these barriers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maya Ghazi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Aalaa Saleh
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Malak Abdallah
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Diala El Masri
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon
| | - Jad El Masri
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Jihad Hawi
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Abdo Jurjus
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abdallah MF, Gado M, Abdelsadek D, Zahran F, El-Salhey NN, Mehrez O, Abdel-Hay S, Mohamed SM, De Ruyck K, Yang S, Gonzales GB, Varga E. Mycotoxin contamination in the Arab world: Highlighting the main knowledge gaps and the current legislation. Mycotoxin Res 2024; 40:19-44. [PMID: 38117428 DOI: 10.1007/s12550-023-00513-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of aflatoxins in the 1960s, knowledge in the mycotoxin research field has increased dramatically. Hundreds of review articles have been published summarizing many different aspects, including mycotoxin contamination per country or region. However, mycotoxin contamination in the Arab world, which includes 22 countries in Africa and Asia, has not yet been specifically reviewed. To this end, the contamination of mycotoxins in the Arab world was reviewed not only to profile the pervasiveness of the problem in this region but also to identify the main knowledge gaps imperiling the safety of food and feed in the future. To the best of our knowledge, 306 (non-)indexed publications in English, Arabic, or French were published from 1977 to 2021, focusing on the natural occurrence of mycotoxins in matrices of 14 different categories. Characteristic factors (e.g., detected mycotoxins, concentrations, and detection methods) were extracted, processed, and visualized. The main results are summarized as follows: (i) research on mycotoxin contamination has increased over the years. However, the accumulated data on their occurrences are scarce to non-existent in some countries; (ii) the state-of-the-art technologies on mycotoxin detection are not broadly implemented neither are contemporary multi-mycotoxin detection strategies, thus showing a need for capacity-building initiatives; and (iii) mycotoxin profiles differ among food and feed categories, as well as between human biofluids. Furthermore, the present work highlights contemporary legislation in the Arab countries and provides future perspectives to mitigate mycotoxins, enhance food and feed safety, and protect the consumer public. Concluding, research initiatives to boost mycotoxin research among Arab countries are strongly recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed F Abdallah
- Department of Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
- Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Muhammad Gado
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | | | - Fatma Zahran
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Shibin El-Kom, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Nada Nabil El-Salhey
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Ohaila Mehrez
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sara Abdel-Hay
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt
| | - Sahar M Mohamed
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Karl De Ruyck
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Shupeng Yang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Gerard Bryan Gonzales
- Nutrition, Metabolism and Genomics Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Varga
- Department of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Naim R, Ziadé N, Haouichat C, Baron F, Al-Mayouf SM, Abdulateef N, Masri B, El Rakawi M, El Kibbi L, Al Mashaleh M, Abutiban F, Hmamouchi I. Burnout syndrome among rheumatologists and rheumatology fellows in Arab countries: an ArLAR multinational study. Clin Rheumatol 2024; 43:765-774. [PMID: 38012468 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-023-06827-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Burnout is frequent among physicians and seems to be underestimated among rheumatologists. OBJECTIVE To estimate the frequency of burnout in a sample of rheumatologists practising in the Arab countries and determine its associated factors. METHODS This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted by the Arab League of Associations for Rheumatology (ArLAR research group) using an anonymous electronic questionnaire set up on the Google Forms platform. All Arab rheumatologists and rheumatology fellows were invited to participate in the spring of 2022 via ArLAR social media accounts, societies' WhatsApp groups, and mass emails. Burnout was defined by at least one positive domain of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) (Emotional exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal accomplishment). The final score was correlated to socio-demographic factors using a multivariable binary logistic regression. RESULTS The study included 445 rheumatologists and rheumatology fellows with an average age of 45.2 years (SD 11.5); 61.8% were men. The frequency of burnout among rheumatologists was 61.3% and was driven by low personal accomplishment scores (58.1%). Younger age (OR 1.92 (95%CI 1.20-3.08)), dissatisfaction with the specialty (OR 2.036 (95% CI 1.20-3.46)), and low income (OR 2.26 (95% CI 1.01-5.10)) were associated with burnout. CONCLUSION The frequency of burnout in a sample of rheumatologists in Arab countries is very high, driven by low personal accomplishment scores and associated with a low income, dissatisfaction with the specialty and younger age. Some associated factors might be modifiable, thus reducing the burden of burnout on rheumatologists and on the healthcare system. Key Points • The frequency of burnout in a sample of Arab rheumatologists was 61.3% according to the MBI. • The score was mainly driven by low personal accomplishment scores (58.1%). • Younger age, dissatisfaction with the specialty, and low income were associated with burnout. • Acting upon modifiable risk factors would help reducing the burden of burnout on rheumatologists and on the healthcare system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Naim
- Internal Medicine Department, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Alfred Naccache Blvd. Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Nelly Ziadé
- Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, Alfred Naccache Blvd. Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon
- Rheumatology Department, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Chafika Haouichat
- Rheumatology Department, Djillali Bounaama University Hospital, Douera, Algiers, Algeria
- Faculty of Medicine El Mahdi Si Ahmed, Blida, Algeria
| | - Fatemah Baron
- Unit of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine Department, Al-Jahra Hospital, Ministry of Health, State of Kuwait, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Sulaiman M Al-Mayouf
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, College of Medicine, Al Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nizar Abdulateef
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Basel Masri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology Division, Jordan Hospital & Medical Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Manal El Rakawi
- Rheumatology Department, Djillali Bounaama University Hospital, Douera, Algiers, Algeria
- Faculty of Medicine El Mahdi Si Ahmed, Blida, Algeria
| | - Lina El Kibbi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Specialized Medical Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manal Al Mashaleh
- Rheumatology Division of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Medical Center, Royal Medical Services, Jordan Armed Forces, Amman, Jordan
| | - Fatemah Abutiban
- Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Jaber Alahmed Hospital, Ministry of Health, State of Kuwait, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Ihsane Hmamouchi
- Faculty of Medicine , Health Sciences Research Center (CReSS), International University of Rabat (UIR), Rabat, Morocco
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bitar F, Arabi M, Bulbul Z, Nemer G, Jassar Y, Bitar FF, Abdul Sater Z. Congenital heart disease research landscape in the Arab world: a 25-year bibliometric review. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 10:1332291. [PMID: 38274308 PMCID: PMC10808431 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1332291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background While research on congenital heart disease has been extensively conducted worldwide, comprehensive studies from developing countries and the Arab world remain scarce. Aim This study aims to perform a bibliometric review of research on congenital heart disease in the Arab world from 1997 to 2022. Methods We analyzed data from the Web of Science, encompassing various aspects such as topics, countries, research output, citations, authors, collaborations, and affiliations. This comprehensive science mapping analysis was done using the R statistical software's Bibliometrix Package. Results The research output from Arab countries over the 25 years showed an average annual growth rate of 11.5%. However, Arab countries exhibited lower research productivity than the United States and Europe, with a 24-fold difference. There was substantial variation in research output among 22 Arab countries, with five countries contributing to 78% of the total publications. Most of the published research was clinical, with limited innovative contributions and a preference for regional journals. High-income Arab countries displayed higher research productivity and citation rates than their low-income developing counterparts. Despite being categorized as upper-middle-income, post-conflict countries exhibited low research productivity. About one-quarter of the published articles (26%) resulted from collaborative efforts among multiple countries, with the United States being the most frequent collaborator. Enhanced research productivity and impact output were strongly associated with increased international cooperation. Conclusion Research productivity in the Arab region closely correlates with a country's GDP. Success hinges on governmental support, funding, international collaboration, and a clear research vision. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, educational institutions, and governments to strengthen research programs and nurture a research culture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fouad Bitar
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mariam Arabi
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Children’s Heart Center, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ziad Bulbul
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Children’s Heart Center, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Georges Nemer
- Genomics and Precision Medicine (GPM), College of Health and Life Sciences at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Yehya Jassar
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Children’s Heart Center, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Fadi F. Bitar
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Children’s Heart Center, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zahi Abdul Sater
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, Phoenicia University, Mazraat El Daoudiyeh, Lebanon
- Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ziade N, Hmamouchi I, Haouichat C, Baron F, Al Mayouf S, Abdulateef N, Masri B, El Rakawi M, El Kibbi L, El Mashaleh M, Elzorkany B, Al Saleh J, Dejaco C, Abutiban F. The rheumatology workforce in the Arab countries: current status, challenges, opportunities, and future needs from an ArLAR cross-sectional survey. Rheumatol Int 2023; 43:2281-2292. [PMID: 37624401 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05427-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The Arab League of Associations for Rheumatology (ArLAR) Research Group (ARCH) conducted this study to investigate the number of current practicing rheumatologists in the Arab countries, to estimate the projected number of rheumatologists in 10 years, and to evaluate the current workload, practice profile, consultation waiting time, and geographical mobilities of these rheumatologists. This cross-sectional survey study was conducted in 16 Arab countries in two parts. The first survey was addressed nominally to national societies to estimate the current and projected workforce. The second was an anonymous e-survey elaborated by the study steering committee on the Google Forms platform and distributed to Arab rheumatologists using social media, WhatsApp, and mass e-mails to evaluate their practice. The mean number of rheumatologists in Arab countries was 0.84 per 100,000 inhabitants (mean age 47.5 years, 55% females), ranging from 0.06 (Sudan) to 1.86 (Tunisia). The number of rheumatologists is expected to increase by 50% in 2032. Nevertheless, a 20% increase in population associated with an increase in demand is also expected. Data from 446 rheumatologists (mean age 43.9 years, 60.5% females) revealed that 72% worked full-time, and 53% were employed in the public sector only. The average waiting time for a rheumatology consultation was 19.9 days. Of 394 rheumatologists, 19% obtained their rheumatology diplomas from non-Arab countries, and 47% of Gulf rheumatologists were non-citizen physicians. Considering local demographic disparities, healthcare system differences, and geographical mobilities, national authorities are advised to implement effective intervention plans to optimize the rheumatology workforce.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nelly Ziade
- Rheumatology Department, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Tour Des Consultations Externes, Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, 6th Floor, Alfred Naccache blvd., Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Ihsane Hmamouchi
- Laboratory of Clinical Research and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco
- Department of Medicine, Health Sciences College, International University of Rabat (UIR), Rabat, Morocco
| | - Chafika Haouichat
- Rheumatology Department, Djillali Bounaama University Hospital, Douera, Algeria
- Rheumatology Department, Faculty of Medicine El Mahdi Si Ahmed, Blida, Algeria
| | - Fatemah Baron
- Unit of Rheumatology, Internal Medicine Department, Al-Jahra Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuwait City, State of Kuwait
| | - Sulaiman Al Mayouf
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. College of Medicine, Al Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nizar Abdulateef
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Basel Masri
- Rheumatology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Jordan Hospital and Medical Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Manal El Rakawi
- Rheumatology Department, Faculty of Medicine El Mahdi Si Ahmed, Blida, Algeria
| | - Lina El Kibbi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Specialized Medical Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manal El Mashaleh
- Rheumatology Division of Internal Medicine, King Hussein Medical Center, Royal Medical Services, Jordan Armed Forces, Amman, Jordan
| | | | | | - Christian Dejaco
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital of Bruneck (ASAA-SABES), Brunico, Italy
| | - Fatemah Abutiban
- Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Jaber Alahmed Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kuwait City, State of Kuwait
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Al-Hendawi M, Hussein E, Al Ghafri B, Bulut S. A Scoping Review of Studies on Assistive Technology Interventions and Their Impact on Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arab Countries. Children (Basel) 2023; 10:1828. [PMID: 38002919 PMCID: PMC10670675 DOI: 10.3390/children10111828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
The rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Arab countries necessitates evidence-based interventions. Assistive technology (AT) presents a promising approach. However, data on the pervasiveness of AT use and its effectiveness for individuals with ASD, specifically within Arab countries, remain scarce. OBJECTIVE To review the current literature on the AT interventions and outcomes reported for individuals with ASD in Arab countries. METHODS A scoping review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was undertaken to explore the utilization of AT, segmented into three categories: low-technology (low-tech), mid-technology (mid-tech), and high-technology (high-tech) devices. RESULTS Twelve studies had a pooled sample of 1547 participants, primarily male school-aged children with ASD. The AT applications evaluated ranged from low-tech visual schedules and support to high-tech virtual reality systems. Studies have reported the potential benefits of AT in improving communication, social, academic, adaptive, and functional abilities; however, comparative evidence between AT interventions is limited. The identified barriers to the adoption of AT included caregiver uncertainty about the use of AT and a lack of awareness of AT among professionals and the Arab community in general. CONCLUSION Available studies suggest that the adoption of AT can enhance the skills of individuals with ASD in Arab countries. However, more rigorous studies across diverse demographic groups and Arab national regions are needed to strengthen the evidence base and provide appropriate recommendations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maha Al-Hendawi
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (E.H.); (B.A.G.)
| | - Esraa Hussein
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (E.H.); (B.A.G.)
| | - Badriya Al Ghafri
- Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (E.H.); (B.A.G.)
| | - Sefa Bulut
- Department of Counseling Psychology, School of Education, Ibn Haldun University, 34494 İstanbul, Turkey;
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Fekih-Romdhane F, Daher-Nashif S, Stambouli M, Alhuwailah A, Helmy M, Shuwiekh HAM, Mohamed Lemine CMF, Radwan E, Saquib J, Saquib N, Fawaz M, Zarrouq B, Naser AY, Obeid S, Saleh M, Haider S, Miloud L, Badrasawi M, Hamdan-Mansour A, Barbato M, Bakhiet A, Sayem N, Adawi S, Grein F, Loch AA, Cheour M, Hallit S. Suicide literacy mediates the path from religiosity to suicide stigma among Muslim community adults: Cross-sectional data from four Arab countries. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:1658-1669. [PMID: 37191228 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231174359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The majority of research attention has been devoted to the link between religiosity and suicide risk, and a considerable amount of studies has been carried out on how stigma impacts individuals with mental health problems of different kinds. However, the interplay between religiosity, suicide literacy and suicide stigma has seldom been empirically researched, especially quantitatively. We sought through this study to redress the imbalance of research attention by examining the relationship between religiosity and suicide stigma; and the indirect and moderating effects of suicide literacy on this relationship. METHOD A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among Arab-Muslim adults originating from four Arab countries (Egypt: N = 1029, Kuwait: N = 2182, Lebanon N = 781, Tunisia N = 2343; Total sample: N = 6335). The outcome measures included the Arabic Religiosity Scale which taps into variation in the degree of religiosity, the Stigma of Suicide Scale-short form to the solicit degree of stigma related to suicide, and the Literacy of Suicide Scale explores knowledge and understanding of suicide. RESULTS Our Mediation analyses findings showed that literacy of suicide partially mediated the association between religiosity and stigmatizing attitude toward suicide. Higher religiosity was significantly associated with less literacy of suicide; higher literacy of suicide was significantly associated with less stigma of suicide. Finally, higher religiosity was directly and significantly associated with more stigmatization attitude toward suicide. CONCLUSION We contribute the literature by showing, for the first time, that suicide literacy plays a mediating role in the association between religiosity and suicide stigma in a sample of Arab-Muslim community adults. This preliminarily suggests that the effects of religiosity on suicide stigma can be modifiable through improving suicide literacy. This implies that interventions targeting highly religious individuals should pay dual attention to increasing suicide literacy and lowering suicide stigma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feten Fekih-Romdhane
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunisia
- Department of Psychiatry Ibn Omrane, The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Razi Hospital, Tunisia
| | - Suhad Daher-Nashif
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Manel Stambouli
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunisia
- Department of Psychiatry Ibn Omrane, The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Razi Hospital, Tunisia
| | | | - Mai Helmy
- Psychology Department, College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
- Psychology Department, Faculty of Arts, Menoufia University, Egypt
| | | | | | - Eqbal Radwan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic University of Gaza, Palestine
| | - Juliann Saquib
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Sulaiman AlRajhi University, Bukariyah, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nazmus Saquib
- Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Sulaiman AlRajhi University, Bukariyah, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mirna Fawaz
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Lebanon
| | - Btissame Zarrouq
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Laboratory of Epidemiology and Research in Health Sciences, Fez, Morocco
| | - Abdallah Y Naser
- Department of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isra University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Sahar Obeid
- Social and Education Sciences Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Maan Saleh
- Department of Psychiatry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Khobar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sanad Haider
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Behavioral Sciences Dep. A, Aden, Yemen
| | - Lahmer Miloud
- The National Centre of Research in Social and Cultural Anthropology, Oran, Algeria
| | - Manal Badrasawi
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | | | - Mariapaola Barbato
- Department of Psychology, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai, UAE
| | - Aisha Bakhiet
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Najat Sayem
- Psychology Department, Sanaa University, Yemen
| | - Samir Adawi
- Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | | | - Alexandre Andrade Loch
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias (LIM 27), Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Biomarcadores em Neuropsiquiatria (INBION), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnológico, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Majda Cheour
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunisia
- Department of Psychiatry Ibn Omrane, The Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Razi Hospital, Tunisia
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon
- Psychology Department, College of Humanities, Effat University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
- Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hamad A, Alsaqa’aby M, Alruthia Y, Aldallal S, Elsisi GH. Overview of Procurement and Reimbursement of Pharmaceuticals in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Egypt: Challenges and Opportunities. Glob J Qual Saf Healthc 2023; 6:127-136. [PMID: 38404458 PMCID: PMC10887475 DOI: 10.36401/jqsh-23-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Introduction There is an increased interest in cost consciousness concerning healthcare spending worldwide. In the Arab world, a major transformation is underway in the healthcare sectors to achieve national and government visions to attain better outcomes with optimal value. This article contains expert recommendations on how decision-makers can implement pharmacoeconomic principles at a national level in the Arab world. Methods A multidisciplinary panel of experts was formed of policymakers, clinical pharmacists, health economists, and chronic disease control and public health experts from different countries and healthcare sectors. The panel developed consensus recommendations for different stakeholders using a framework analysis method. Results The experts discussed the limitations and opportunities of implementing the pharmacoeconomics concept in evaluating new technologies in their respective countries. Common limitations recognized in the included countries were a lack of infrastructure to support the adoption of the concept in practice, challenges in obtaining data to support the decision-making process, and the lack of human resources to raise awareness among decision-makers and the public to use health economics in making informed decisions in reimbursing new technologies. Conclusion The expert panel recommendations will guide relevant stakeholders at a national level per country. Adapting these recommendations to each setting is essential to accommodate the situation and needs of each country.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anas Hamad
- Pharmacy Department, National Center for Cancer Care & Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mai Alsaqa’aby
- Real-World Evidence, IQVIA Solutions Limited, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yazed Alruthia
- College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Alangari AS, El-Metwally AA, Alanazi A, Al Khateeb BF, Al Kadri HM, Alshdoukhi IF, Aldubikhi AI, Alruwaili M, Alshahrani A. Epidemiology of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Arab Countries: Insights from a Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6648. [PMID: 37892786 PMCID: PMC10607133 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common metabolic disorder affecting more than 400 million individuals worldwide. Being an X-linked disorder, the disease is more common among males than females. Various Arab countries estimated the prevalence of G6PD deficiency; however, findings from different countries have not been synthesized collectively. Hence, a systematic review was undertaken to synthesize the findings on the epidemiology of G6PD deficiency in all Arab countries. We performed an electronic systematic literature search based on the eligibility criteria using databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, and CINHAL. The studies included in the review were primary and original research studies assessing the prevalence or incidence, risk factors, or determinants of G6PD deficiency, and published in the English language in a peer-reviewed scientific journal between 2000 and 2022. The systematic review was carried out with the help of an updated PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist. After the screening, 23 full texts were finalized for data extraction. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency ranged from 2 to 31% with a greater burden among high-risk populations like neonates with sickle cell anemia. The determinants included males, family history, consanguineous marriages, and geographic regions, which were all risk factors, except for body weight, which was a protective factor. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency varies across Arab countries, with a higher prevalence in males than females. Different regions of Arab countries need to revisit their screening and diagnostic guidelines to detect G6PD deficiency promptly and prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality among their communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz S. Alangari
- College of Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ashraf A. El-Metwally
- College of Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Alanazi
- College of Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
| | - Badr F. Al Khateeb
- College of Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Family Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of the National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanan M. Al Kadri
- College of Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of the National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibtehaj F. Alshdoukhi
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Science and Health Professions, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 14611, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Muzun Alruwaili
- College of Medical Sciences, North Border University, Arar 91431, Saudi Arabia
| | - Awad Alshahrani
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of the National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abuzaid MM, Tamam N, Elshami W, Ibham M, Aljamal M, Khayal S, Abdullah A, Hamd ZY, Pedersen MRV. Exploring Radiographers' Engagement in Research: Motivation and Barriers in Five Arab Countries. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2735. [PMID: 37893809 PMCID: PMC10606675 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11202735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: This study aims to comprehensively understand the motivations driving radiographers in five Arab countries to engage in research. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study employing an anonymous online survey was conducted for 12 weeks from May to July 2023. The study sample consisted of 250 radiographers, with equal representation from Iraq, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates. (3) Results: Overall, the participants showed limited involvement in research-related activities in all five countries, particularly in presenting at conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Most participants believed research positively impacts their professional development (34.8%) and patient care and outcomes (40%). The participants perceived professional development (36.4%) as a key motivator for research engagement. A significant majority (81.6%) expressed motivation to start research in clinical practice. A total of 66.8% found research opportunities available during clinical practice. Barriers included time constraints (56%), limited resources (47.2%), and lack of support and skills (33.2% and 32%, respectively). (4) Conclusion: This study emphasises the need for targeted strategies to enhance research engagement among radiographers in the Arab region. Addressing barriers, such as time constraints and resource limitations, while leveraging intrinsic motivators, such as professional development, is crucial for fostering a culture of research-driven excellence in radiography.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed M. Abuzaid
- Medical Diagnostic Imaging Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nissren Tamam
- Department of Physics, College of Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wiam Elshami
- Medical Diagnostic Imaging Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Manal Ibham
- Medical Diagnostic Imaging Department, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed Aljamal
- Department of Medical Imaging, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Arab American University, Jenin 11184, Palestine
| | - Simaa Khayal
- Independent Researcher, D04 T6F4 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ahmed Abdullah
- College of Medicine, University of Diyala, Diyala 32008, Iraq
| | - Zuhal Y. Hamd
- Department of Radiological Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Malene Roland Vils Pedersen
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, 7100 Vejle, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Qasrawi R, Hoteit M, Tayyem R, Bookari K, Al Sabbah H, Kamel I, Dashti S, Allehdan S, Bawadi H, Waly M, Ibrahim MO, Polo SV, Al-Halawa DA. Machine learning techniques for the identification of risk factors associated with food insecurity among adults in Arab countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1805. [PMID: 37716999 PMCID: PMC10505318 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16694-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A direct consequence of global warming, and strongly correlated with poor physical and mental health, food insecurity is a rising global concern associated with low dietary intake. The Coronavirus pandemic has further aggravated food insecurity among vulnerable communities, and thus has sparked the global conversation of equal food access, food distribution, and improvement of food support programs. This research was designed to identify the key features associated with food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic using Machine learning techniques. Seven machine learning algorithms were used in the model, which used a dataset of 32 features. The model was designed to predict food insecurity across ten Arab countries in the Gulf and Mediterranean regions. A total of 13,443 participants were extracted from the international Corona Cooking Survey conducted by 38 different countries during the COVID -19 pandemic. RESULTS The findings indicate that Jordanian, Palestinian, Lebanese, and Saudi Arabian respondents reported the highest rates of food insecurity in the region (15.4%, 13.7%, 13.7% and 11.3% respectively). On the other hand, Oman and Bahrain reported the lowest rates (5.4% and 5.5% respectively). Our model obtained accuracy levels of 70%-82% in all algorithms. Gradient Boosting and Random Forest techniques had the highest performance levels in predicting food insecurity (82% and 80% respectively). Place of residence, age, financial instability, difficulties in accessing food, and depression were found to be the most relevant features associated with food insecurity. CONCLUSIONS The ML algorithms seem to be an effective method in early detection and prediction of food insecurity and can profoundly aid policymaking. The integration of ML approaches in public health strategies could potentially improve the development of targeted and effective interventions to combat food insecurity in these regions and globally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Radwan Qasrawi
- Department of Computer Science, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine.
- Department of Computer Engineering, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34010, Turkey.
| | - Maha Hoteit
- Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- PHENOL Research Group (Public Health Nutrition Program Lebanon), Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- Lebanese University Nutrition Surveillance Center (LUNSC), Lebanese Food Drugs and Chemical Administrations, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Reema Tayyem
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan
| | - Khlood Bookari
- National Nutrition Committee, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haleama Al Sabbah
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Somaia Dashti
- Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Sabika Allehdan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Bahrain, Zallaq, Bahrain
| | - Hiba Bawadi
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mostafa Waly
- Food Science and Nutrition Department, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Mohammed O Ibrahim
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Mu'tah University, Karak, Jordan
| | | | - Diala Abu Al-Halawa
- Department of Faculty of Medicine, Al Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Almehmadi FM. Health information science and technology education: An analysis of health informatics undergraduate and postgraduate programs in arab countries. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19279. [PMID: 37662757 PMCID: PMC10474413 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid advancements in information technology have laid the basis for the move to information management job positions and health informatics education. In fact, information technology becomes an essential component of different healthcare educational programs worldwide. However, scholarly research about health informatics, particularly, in developing countries is still limited. This study is the first investigation to assess and compare health informatics (HI) educational programs across different Arab countries. Websites of all universities and colleges in the Arab world were surveyed and examined. 35 programs in 9 countries have been identified. To systematically collect and evaluate data, a categorization of different variables to assess and compare HI programs has been developed. HI programs in Saudi Arabia and Egypt represent the largest proportion of programs. Most programs are offered by public institutions and belong to medical faculties. 69% of HI educational offerings are undergraduate programs while only 31% are postgraduate programs. HI programs vary in terms of their titles. However, these programs have used the titles 'health informatics', and ' health information management' more frequently. There has also been an uneven distribution in terms of the total hours of programs. The structure of the study plan of 51% of HI programs are built on compulsory courses only. The study has presented a framework that indicates strengths, weaknesses, and emerging trends of HI programs and highlights potential challenges, opportunities, and recommendations to improve such programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatmah M. Almehmadi
- College of Computer and Information Systems, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Fekih-Romdhane F, Daher-Nashif S, Stambouli M, Alhuwailah A, Helmy M, Shuwiekh HAM, Mohamed Lemine CMF, Radwan E, Saquib J, Saquib N, Fawaz M, Zarrouq B, Naser AY, Obeid S, Saleh M, Haider S, Miloud L, Badrasawi M, Hamdan-Mansour A, Barbato M, Motwakil Bakhiet A, Khalil NS, Adawi S, Grein F, Loch AA, Cheour M, Hallit S. Mental illness stigma as a moderator in the relationship between religiosity and help-seeking attitudes among Muslims from 16 Arab countries. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1671. [PMID: 37649023 PMCID: PMC10469418 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16622-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Determining the potential barriers responsible for delaying access to care, and elucidating pathways to early intervention should be a priority, especially in Arab countries where mental health resources are limited. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have examined the relationship between religiosity, stigma and help-seeking in an Arab Muslim cultural background. Hence, we propose in the present study to test the moderating role of stigma toward mental illness in the relationship between religiosity and help-seeking attitudes among Muslim community people living in different Arab countries. METHOD The current survey is part of a large-scale multinational collaborative project (StIgma of Mental Problems in Arab CounTries [The IMPACT Project]). We carried-out a web-based cross-sectional, and multi-country study between June and November 2021. The final sample comprised 9782 Arab Muslim participants (mean age 29.67 ± 10.80 years, 77.1% females). RESULTS Bivariate analyses showed that less stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness and higher religiosity levels were significantly associated with more favorable help-seeking attitudes. Moderation analyses revealed that the interaction religiosity by mental illness stigma was significantly associated with help-seeking attitudes (Beta = .005; p < .001); at low and moderate levels of stigma, higher religiosity was significantly associated with more favorable help-seeking attitudes. CONCLUSION Our findings preliminarily suggest that mental illness stigma is a modifiable individual factor that seems to strengthen the direct positive effect of religiosity on help-seeking attitudes. This provides potential insights on possible anti-stigma interventions that might help overcome reluctance to counseling in highly religious Arab Muslim communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feten Fekih-Romdhane
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
- Department of Psychiatry Ibn OmraneThe Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Suhad Daher-Nashif
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, UK
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Manel Stambouli
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
- Department of Psychiatry Ibn OmraneThe Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Mai Helmy
- Psychology department, College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
- Psychology department, Faculty of Arts, Menoufia University, Menofia Governorate, Egypt
| | | | | | - Eqbal Radwan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine
| | - Juliann Saquib
- College of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Department, Sulaiman AlRajhi University, Bukariyah, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nazmus Saquib
- College of Medicine, Clinical Sciences Department, Sulaiman AlRajhi University, Bukariyah, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mirna Fawaz
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Btissame Zarrouq
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Laboratory of Epidemiology and Research in Health Sciences, Fez, Morocco
| | - Abdallah Y Naser
- Department of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isra University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Sahar Obeid
- Social and Education Sciences Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Maan Saleh
- Department of Psychiatry Khobar, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, KSA, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sanad Haider
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Behavioral Sciences Dep. A, Aden, Yemen
| | - Lahmer Miloud
- The National Centre of Research in Social and Cultural Anthropology, Oran, Algeria
| | - Manal Badrasawi
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | | | - Mariapaola Barbato
- Department of Psychology, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai, UAE
| | | | | | - Samir Adawi
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Behavioural Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | | | - Alexandre Andrade Loch
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias (LIM 27), Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, BR, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Biomarcadores Em Neuropsiquiatria (INBION), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico E Tecnológico, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Majda Cheour
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
- Department of Psychiatry Ibn OmraneThe Tunisian Center of Early Intervention in Psychosis, Razi Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, P.O. Box 446, Lebanon.
- Research and Psychiatry Departments, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon.
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Al Jawaldeh A, El Hajj Hassan O, Qureshi AB, Zerbo FC, Alahnoumy S, Bozo M, Al-Halaika M, Al-Dakheel MH, Alhamdan L, Mujib SA, El Ammari L, Aguenaou H, Alqaoud N, Almaamari S, Alshamkhi S, Dureab F. Qualitative Review of National Nutrition Surveillance Systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Nutrients 2023; 15:3689. [PMID: 37686721 PMCID: PMC10490415 DOI: 10.3390/nu15173689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The World Food Conference in 1974 emphasized the significance of establishing global nutrition surveillance to monitor and address nutritional challenges effectively. However, many countries, especially in the EMRO region, continue to encounter substantial difficulties in regularly generating disaggregated data on nutrition. The current study aimed to review the existing nutrition surveillance systems in the region and to identify their strengths and weaknesses, as well as the challenges they face in functioning optimally. METHODS This study focused on the functional nutrition surveillance systems in eight Arab countries; namely Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The study's analysis involved utilizing primary data collected from both published and unpublished reports. Additionally, a structured checklist was employed to gather information from all countries involved in the study. Furthermore, interviews were conducted with the EMRO offices to gain deeper insights into the challenges, if any, that these nutrition surveillance systems face in functioning optimally. RESULTS All countries use health facilities as a basic source of data for their nutrition surveillance, some countries triangulate their nutrition surveillance reports with data from other sources of information such as community or school surveys. Identified nutrition surveillance approaches are closely split between those who operate in stable settings and use routine health information systems (Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait) and other countries that operate in fragile settings; for example, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan struggle to provide early warning reports for rapid nutritional responses. CONCLUSIONS Nutrition surveillance systems that utilize existing health information systems are the most sustained in the EMRO region. However, by integrating data from multiple sources, such as health facilities, surveys, and population censuses, countries can provide a holistic view of the nutritional situation, enhance their response to any emergency, and can leverage the infrastructure and resources already in place for health data collection and reporting. Collaboration between countries in the region through sharing experiences and success stories is important in order to reach a standardized system that can be implemented in different settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayoub Al Jawaldeh
- World Health Organization (WHO), Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo 7608, Egypt
| | - Ola El Hajj Hassan
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Hospital University Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Mahmoud Bozo
- World Health Organization (WHO), Damascus 3946, Syria
| | - Mousa Al-Halaika
- Nutrition Department, Ministry of Health, Ramallah 4284, Palestine
| | | | - Lamya Alhamdan
- Nutrition Department, Ministry of Health, Riyadh 11176, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Laila El Ammari
- Nutrition Department, Ministry of Health, Rabat 335, Morocco
| | - Hassan Aguenaou
- Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofaïl University-CNESTEN, Rabat-Kénitra 242, Morocco
| | - Nawal Alqaoud
- Food and Nutrition Administration, Ministry of Health, Kuwait City 13001, Kuwait
| | | | | | - Fekri Dureab
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Hospital University Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Research for International Assistance, Akkon Hochschule, 12099 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Sherif M, Makame KR, Östlundh L, Paulo MS, Nemmar A, Ali BR, Al-Rifai RH, Nagy K, Ádám B. Genotoxicity of Occupational Pesticide Exposures among Agricultural Workers in Arab Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Toxics 2023; 11:663. [PMID: 37624167 PMCID: PMC10458041 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11080663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to pesticides in Arab countries is a significant public health concern due to extensive agricultural activity and pesticide use. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the genotoxic effects of agricultural pesticide exposure in the region, identify research gaps, and assess methodological limitations. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search yielded five relevant studies conducted in Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Various genotoxicity assays were employed, revealing a higher level of DNA damage in exposed compared to non-exposed individuals. Farmers exposed to pesticides exhibited a significantly higher occurrence of chromosomal translocation (t(14;18)), micronuclei, and chromosomal aberrations. However, only two studies assessed cytotoxicity indirectly. The studies predominantly focused on male participants, with variations in sample size and pesticide types. The lack of detailed exposure data necessitates cautious interpretation. This review underscores the need for further research on the genotoxicity of occupational pesticide exposure in the Middle East. Future studies should adopt robust study designs, collect biological and environmental samples, conduct repeated sampling, analyze seasonal variations, and encompass diverse study sites associated with specific crop groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moustafa Sherif
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates; (M.S.); (R.H.A.-R.)
| | - Khadija Ramadhan Makame
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
| | - Linda Östlundh
- University Library, Örebro University, SE-702 81 Örebro, Sweden;
| | - Marilia Silva Paulo
- IPH, CHRC, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, NMS, FCM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Abderrahim Nemmar
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Bassam R. Ali
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Rami H. Al-Rifai
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates; (M.S.); (R.H.A.-R.)
| | - Károly Nagy
- Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary;
| | - Balázs Ádám
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates; (M.S.); (R.H.A.-R.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ali RM, Idoudi S, Abdulrahman N, Mraiche F. Biotechnology content in pharmacy curricula: Focus on Arab Countries. Curr Pharm Teach Learn 2023:S1877-1297(23)00177-6. [PMID: 37481456 DOI: 10.1016/j.cptl.2023.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pharmaceutical biotechnology involves using the principles of biotechnology to develop drugs. With the rapid increase in biopharmaceutical products being developed and approved for use, educating pharmacy students about biotechnological products becomes paramount. However, there is a scarcity in the literature exploring biotechnology content in pharmacy education. This paper aims to explore and discuss previously published studies on biotechnology education in pharmacy curricula and will provide a brief overview of biotechnology content offered in pharmacy schools in Arab countries. PERSPECTIVE The majority of pharmacy schools in the United States and Europe offer biotechnology-related content within the curriculum as part of other courses. It has also been reported that biotechnology content is taught in 22 pharmacy schools in Arab countries. In general, biotechnology content is mostly taught as part of other pharmacy courses and is often provided as compulsory content. Including pharmaceutical biotechnology concepts in pharmacy curriculum has positive impact on pharmacy students as it increases their knowledge of biotechnology and their interest in the topic. IMPLICATION Pharmaceutical biotechnology is an important field in which pharmacy graduates should be knowledgeable. However, there is a need to explore biotechnology content offered in pharmacy schools in other parts of the world in order to have an understanding of how different pharmacy programs prepare their students for practice. The information currently available in the literature is not enough to determine the usefulness of pharmaceutical biotechnology content currently offered to prepare pharmacists for practice. This highlights the need for further research in the area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raja Mahamade Ali
- College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar.
| | - Sourour Idoudi
- College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar.
| | - Nabeel Abdulrahman
- College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; Translational Research Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Fatima Mraiche
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Al-Hayk K, Aqaileh S, Smadi MM, Yassin A, Aldabbour B, Al Qawasmeh M, Kofahi R, Elamassie S, El-Salem K. Clinical characteristics and management outcomes of Guillain-Barré syndrome: eight-year experience at a tertiary center in jordan - a retrospective cohort study. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2023; 85:3298-3302. [PMID: 37427158 PMCID: PMC10328607 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000000869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a major cause of acute flaccid paralysis that is encountered in all geographical areas. Very limited data about this syndrome has been reported from the Arab countries. This study is the first one trying to describe the clinical features and management outcomes of GBS in the Jordanian population. Methods This retrospective study looks at adult patients admitted to a major tertiary referral hospital in the north of Jordan between 2013 and 2021. Results A total of 30 patients met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Males were predominantly affected (70%) with a male-to-female ratio of 2.33. Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy variant was encountered in 60% of cases, whereas axonal variants, namely, acute motor axonal neuropathy and acute motor axonal and sensory neuropathy variants were seen in about 23% of cases. ICU admission was reported in 37% of patients and 6.7% required mechanical ventilation. Most patients had a favorable outcome with a GBS disability score of three or better at out-patient follow-up visits. Conclusion Our cohort of patients showed a significant deviation in disease expression from that reported in other parts of the globe. This deviation was obvious in more prominent male predominance, frequencies of different GBS variants, and more favorable short-term morbidity/mortality outcomes. However, larger multicenter prospective studies are needed for confirmation of these results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kefah Al-Hayk
- Neurology Division, Neurosciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid
| | - Suha Aqaileh
- Neurology Division, Neurosciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid
| | - Mahmoud M. Smadi
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan
| | - Ahmed Yassin
- Neurology Division, Neurosciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid
| | - Belal Aldabbour
- Neurology Division, Neurosciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid
- Faculty of Medicine, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza
| | - Majdi Al Qawasmeh
- Neurology Division, Neurosciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid
| | - Raid Kofahi
- Neurology Division, Neurosciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid
| | - Samah Elamassie
- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
| | - Khalid El-Salem
- Neurology Division, Neurosciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Bany-Yasin H, Elmor AA, Ebrahim BK, Ahmed AAM, Alarachi MR, Abedalqader L, Amer R, Alyousef AMS, Alhajeh YF, Alyoussef A, Eid HAMA, Elsayed MM, Desouky EDE, Salem HK, Salem MR. Exploration of the nutrition knowledge among general population: multi-national study in Arab countries. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1178. [PMID: 37337137 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15791-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowing what to eat and realizing the significance of healthful eating habits are among the important steps to promoting eating behavior. The current study aims to assess the nutrition knowledge (NK) among a convenient sample in four different countries, determine the association between different demographic factors and NK, and investigate the need for future interventions on nutrition in the four selected countries. METHODS A cross-sectional multi-national survey study among a convenient sample of 8,191 subjects from Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan who undertook surveys between January 2019 and January 2020. A pre-tested interview questionnaire was utilized for data collection from study participants. It included three sections: i) Sociodemographic characteristics:. ii). Section two included twenty-one questions related to NK.. iii). Section three included one question about NK sources. RESULTS About three-quarters showed inadequate nutrition knowledge (73.1%). Youth (15-24 yrs.) were more dependent on social media, with 87% using it as a primary source of NK, while adults (≥ 25 yrs.) demonstrated that 43% of them used social media. In contrast, TV was more prominent among them, with participants' characteristics such as living with parents, body mass index, and country of residence showing no association with NK. However, female sex, education, and reading nutrition articles are significantly correlated with adequate knowledge (p < 0.001). Significant predictors of satisfactory knowledge were age, sex, education, living with parents, and reading nutrition articles. CONCLUSION The study revealed low levels of NK indicating an urgent need to implement educational programs to promote nutrition knowledge. As NK is a modifiable determinant of diet intake and can positively impact the need for developing strategies in counselling and raising awareness among the general population to improve their health status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Abdellatif A Elmor
- Public Health Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University State Country, Zagazig, Egypt
| | | | | | | | | | - Rawan Amer
- Kasralainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Eman D El Desouky
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Marwa Rashad Salem
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, El Malek El Saleh, PO Box: 109, Cairo, 11559, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Obeidat M, Nazzal J, Al Sharie S, Al-Azzam AM, Maswadeh A, Al-Abdallat H, Ismail L, Alkderat M, Hzayen R, Al-Sheble Y, Mansour A, Al-Hussaini M. Central nervous system tumors in patients coming from areas of conflict in the Middle East/North Africa region: an experience from King Hussein Cancer Center. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1087987. [PMID: 37265794 PMCID: PMC10231637 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1087987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The global cancer burden has been disproportionately shifting towards low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Limited availability and accessibility to screening, treatment and surveillance, increase in the prevalence and lack of control of risk factors, and underdeveloped healthcare infrastructures have greatly contributed to the disparity in the global cancer burden. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted that included adult and pediatric patients with an established diagnosis of Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors including brain or spinal tumors of which different demographic, clinical characteristics, and financial burden were presented. Results 749 patients were included stemming from various countries in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region including Libya (34.2%), Palestine (19.8%), Iraq (15.4%), Syria (14.6%) Yemen (14.5%), and Sudan (1.5%). Most patients were adults (66%) with a median age of 34-year-old. 104 patients had died (13.9%), 80 patients were still alive (10.7%) and most of the patients (n= 565, 75.5%) were lost to follow-up. The added cost of managing these patients is 10,172,935 Jordanian Dinars (JOD), with King Hussein Cancer Foundation (KHCF) covering around 34.3% of the total cost. Conclusion Our study aimed at taking a closer look at patients coming from areas of conflict in the MENA region diagnosed and treated for CNS tumors at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) over a 12-year period. It was found that even with the contributions of the Jordanian sources almost half of the patients were faced with the entire financial burden of treatment alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mouness Obeidat
- Department of Neurosurgery, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Jamil Nazzal
- Office of Scientific Affairs and Research, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | | | | | - Ahmad Maswadeh
- Office of Scientific Affairs and Research, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Layan Ismail
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Marah Alkderat
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Ro’ya Hzayen
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Asem Mansour
- Department of Radiology, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Maysa Al-Hussaini
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Bookari K, Arrish J, Alkhalaf MM, Alharbi MH, Zaher S, Alotaibi HM, Tayyem R, Al-Awwad N, Qasrawi R, Allehdan S, Al Sabbah H, AlMajed S, Al Hinai E, Kamel I, Ati JE, Harb Z, Hoteit M. Perspectives and practices of dietitians with regards to social/mass media use during the transitions from face-to-face to telenutrition in the time of COVID-19: A cross-sectional survey in 10 Arab countries. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1151648. [PMID: 37234764 PMCID: PMC10208426 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1151648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, most healthcare professionals switched from face-to-face clinical encounters to telehealth. This study sought to investigate the dietitians' perceptions and practices toward the use of social/mass media platforms amid the transition from face-to-face to telenutrition in the time of COVID-19. This cross-sectional study involving a convenient sample of 2,542 dietitians (mean age = 31.7 ± 9.5; females: 88.2%) was launched in 10 Arab countries between November 2020 and January 2021. Data were collected using an online self-administrated questionnaire. Study findings showed that dietitians' reliance on telenutrition increased by 11% during the pandemic, p = 0.001. Furthermore, 63.0% of them reported adopting telenutrition to cover consultation activities. Instagram was the platform that was most frequently used by 51.7% of dietitians. Dietitians shouldered new difficulties in dispelling nutrition myths during the pandemic (58.2% reported doing so vs. 51.4% pre-pandemic, p < 0.001). Compared to the pre-pandemic period, more dietitians perceived the importance of adopting tele nutrition's clinical and non-clinical services (86.9% vs. 68.0%, p = 0.001), with 76.6% being confident in this practice. In addition, 90.0% of the participants received no support from their work facilities for social media usage. Following the COVID-19 outbreak, the majority of dietitians (80.0%) observed a rise in public interest in nutrition-related topics, particularly those pertaining to healthy eating habits (p = 0.001), healthy recipes (p = 0.001), nutrition and immunity (p = 0.001), and medical nutrition therapies (p = 0.012). Time constraint was the most prevalent barrier to offering telenutrition for nutrition care (32.1%), whereas leveraging a quick and easy information exchange was the most rewarding benefit for 69.3% of the dietitians. In conclusion, to ensure a consistent provision of nutrition care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, dietitians working in Arab countries adopted alternative telenutrition approaches through social/mass media.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khlood Bookari
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
- National Nutrition Committee (NNC), Saudi Food and Drug Authority (Saudi FDA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jamila Arrish
- National Nutrition Committee (NNC), Saudi Food and Drug Authority (Saudi FDA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majid M. Alkhalaf
- National Nutrition Committee (NNC), Saudi Food and Drug Authority (Saudi FDA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mudi H. Alharbi
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sara Zaher
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
- National Nutrition Committee (NNC), Saudi Food and Drug Authority (Saudi FDA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hawazin M. Alotaibi
- College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reema Tayyem
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Narmeen Al-Awwad
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Radwan Qasrawi
- Department of Computer Science, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
- Department of Computer Engineering, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sabika Allehdan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Bahrain, Sakhir, Bahrain
| | - Haleama Al Sabbah
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sana AlMajed
- Food and Nutrition Administration, Ministry of Health, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Eiman Al Hinai
- Dietetics and Nutrition Department, Al Nahdha Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | | | - Jalila El Ati
- INNTA (National Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology), SURVEN (Nutrition Surveillance and Epidemiology in Tunisia) Research Laboratory, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ziad Harb
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Maha Hoteit
- Food Sciences Unit, National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Mohty D, Nasr S, Ragy H, Farhan HA, Fadel B, Alayary I, Ghoubar M. Cardiac amyloidosis: A survey of current awareness, diagnostic modalities, treatment practices, and clinical challenges among cardiologists in selected Middle Eastern countries. Clin Cardiol 2023. [PMID: 37038634 DOI: 10.1002/clc.23985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a chronic progressive disease caused by the deposition of amyloid fibrils in cardiac tissues. Diagnosis and management of CA are complicated and have developed over the years. HYPOTHESIS Middle Eastern countries have significant knowledge disparities in diagnosing, managing, and treating different subtypes of CA. METHODS An online survey was sent to cardiologists in four countries (Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, and Iraq) interested in heart failure and practicing for more than a year. The survey questioned the characteristics of the participants and their institutions. It addressed their knowledge and practices in CA specifically diagnostic modalities, treatment options, and interest in education and knowledge exchange. RESULTS A total of 85 physicians participated in the survey. There was a variation in the participating cardiologists' knowledge, experience level, and readiness of their institutes to manage patients with ATTR-CM. Most participants believed that a high rate of ATTR-CM misdiagnosis existed. Participants' knowledge of the diagnostic modalities and "red flags" raising suspicion about ATTR-CM varied. Another challenge was the availability of essential diagnostic modalities among various cardiology centers. A knowledge gap was also observed regarding updates in ATTR-CM management. However, there was a high endorsement of the need for more education, physician networking, and knowledge exchange. CONCLUSIONS This survey highlighted the need for increasing awareness levels among cardiologists in the four selected Middle Eastern countries. Cardiologists are most likely to benefit from additional training and knowledge exchange on the latest management advances of this disease. Thus, measures must be taken to focus on the physician's awareness of ATTR-CM patient journey to achieve a better quality of care and outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dania Mohty
- Heart Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Al-Faisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samer Nasr
- Department of Cardiology, Mount Lebanon Hospital Balamand University Medical Center, Hazmiyeh, Lebanon
| | - Hany Ragy
- National Heart Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hasan A Farhan
- Scientific Council of Cardiology, Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations, Baghdad Heart Center, Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Bahaa Fadel
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Rebhi M, Ben Aissa M, Tannoubi A, Saidane M, Guelmami N, Puce L, Chen W, Chalghaf N, Azaiez F, Zghibi M, Bragazzi NL. Reliability and Validity of the Arabic Version of the Game Experience Questionnaire: Pilot Questionnaire Study. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e42584. [PMID: 36482747 PMCID: PMC10131659 DOI: 10.2196/42584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nowadays, digital gaming occupies a central position in the entertainment industry where it has developed into a cherished kind of entertainment in markets all over the world. In addition, it provides other sectors with various social and economic benefits. The Game Experience Questionnaire (GEQ) is a free, quantitative, and comprehensive self-report measure that was developed to assess the player game experience. Despite having been widely used by many research projects in the past, it has not been adapted into Arabic. Furthermore, several components of the scale proved problematic from a psychometric point of view. Therefore, a modified version of the scale is needed to measure the gaming experience of the Arab population. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to validate and examine the psychometrics of an adapted Arabic version of the GEQ in Tunisia. METHODS A total of 771 volunteer participants completed an online survey, which included an Arabic version of the GEQ, gaming data, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Subjects were randomized in order to complete two phases of the study: exploratory and confirmatory. The exploratory data were acquired from 360 respondents whose mean age was 23.89 (SD 2.29) years. Out of 360 respondents, 111 (30.8%) were female and 249 (69.2%) were male. Confirmatory data were obtained from the remaining 411 subjects whose mean age was 21.94 (SD 1.80) years. Out of 411 subjects, 169 (41.1%) were female and 242 (58.9%) were male. RESULTS After the elimination of two items, the exploratory and the confirmatory factor analyses provided an adequate factor structure of the Arabic version of the GEQ. In addition, the internal consistency coefficients suggested the reliability of the instrument. Significant differences were revealed for three subcomponents: flow by age (η2=0.013, P=.002), gender (η2=0.007, P=.02), and game type (η2=0.03, P<.001). For competence (η2=0.01, P=.03) and immersion (η2=0.02, P=.01), significant differences were highlighted by the type of game. The discriminant and convergent validities of the instrument were supported by calculating the average variance extracted (AVE) and comparing the square roots of the AVE values to the correlation coefficients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The Arabic adapted version of the GEQ is valid and reliable and can be administered to measure the game experience in Arab countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Rebhi
- Department of Human Sciences, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Ben Aissa
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Jendouba, Tunisia
| | - Amayra Tannoubi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Jendouba, Tunisia
- Postgraduate School of Public Health, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mouna Saidane
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Jendouba, Tunisia
| | - Noomen Guelmami
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Jendouba, Tunisia
- Postgraduate School of Public Health, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Puce
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Wen Chen
- Department of Child Psychology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, National Children's Regional Medical Center, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Nasr Chalghaf
- Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia
| | - Fairouz Azaiez
- Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia
| | - Makrem Zghibi
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Jendouba, Tunisia
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- Postgraduate School of Public Health, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Albash NI. Evaluating the accessibility of higher education programs for deaf and hard of hearing students in the Arab countries. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14425. [PMID: 36950635 PMCID: PMC10025149 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The opportunity to pursue higher education (HE) can greatly affect an individual's success in later life, but students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) face different challenges than their hearing peers when seeking a university degree. In addition, the acquisition of HE is more significant for this population as it can provide these learners with opportunities to develop skills that improve their ability to integrate into the overall hearing society. We investigated HE programs in the context of DHH students in Arab countries through mixed methods research that employed exploratory sequential design. The target Universities were eight of the top 10 Arab region universities, as ranked by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) for 2022. We examined documents and interviewed 12 administrators at the eight institutions. In addition, 34 faculty members at the universities participated in a survey designed to obtain their perceptions regarding existing provisions for DHH students. Our investigation found that some Arab universities have recently launched programs to support DHH students in higher education. However, while Hard-of-Hearing (HoH) students are admitted to most Arab universities in various academic disciplines on an equal basis with their hearing peers, deaf students are only admitted to a few universities, are limited in the majors they are permitted to consider, and their admission is only allowed under strict conditions. From administrators, we found Arab countries have established only moderate requirements for HE programs regarding admitting and accommodating the DHH. Accordingly, we propose a set of mechanisms to improve such programs for DHH students in Arab countries to advance the educational opportunities for this population and establish recommendations on how to improve deaf education overall.
Collapse
Key Words
- ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder
- AUB, American University of Beirut
- AUS, American University of Sharjah
- Arab countries
- DHH, Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- Deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) students
- HE, Higher Education
- HoH, Hard-of-Hearing
- KAU, King Abdulaziz University
- KSU, King Saud University
- Middle Eastern higher education
- QS, Quacquarelli Symonds
- QU, Qatar University
- SQU, Sultan Qaboos University
- UAEU, United Arab Emirates University
- UJ, The University of Jordan
Collapse
|
26
|
Zeidan W, Taweel H, Shalash A, Husseini A. Consumption of fruits and vegetables among adolescents in Arab Countries: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2023; 20:3. [PMID: 36624455 PMCID: PMC9830827 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-022-01398-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents' consumption of fruits and vegetables is inadequate in most Arab countries, leading to a higher risk of poor health outcomes. This systematic review evaluates fruits and vegetables intake among adolescents in Arab countries, the proportion of adolescents meeting the dietary guidelines in these countries, and the dietary assessment tools used to assess fruits and vegetables intake. METHODS Four databases were searched, MEDLINE, PUBMED, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Studies were eligible if they reported fruit or vegetable consumption among adolescents aged 10 to 19 in 22 Arab countries. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed by two reviewers independently using the risk of bias tool developed by Hoy et al. Data were extracted and synthesized into three categories; frequency of fruits and vegetables consumption, mean fruits and vegetables consumption, and percentage of adolescents meeting fruits and vegetables consumption recommendations. RESULTS The review included 44 articles utilizing 41 cross-sectional studies. Most studies were school-based, and data was collected from both males and females using self-administered questionnaires. Of those, validated questionnaires were used in 28 studies. According to the World Health Organization recommendation, most studies defined five fruits and vegetables servings as the adequacy cutoff point; other definitions were used in some studies. The reported mean consumption ranged between 6.1 times per week and 4.5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. The proportion of those who met the recommendations of eating five servings per day ranged between 10 and 29%. Fruits were shown to have a lower daily intake than vegetables (4.2 to 53.7% for fruits and 7.8 to 66.3% for vegetables). DISCUSSION This review indicated inadequate fruits and vegetables consumption among adolescents in Arab countries and highlighted an increased risk of non-communicable diseases and malnutrition prevalence. A limitation was the incomparability of available data between countries. Further in-depth research on the core reasons behind adolescents' inadequacy in fruits and vegetables consumption is recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Widad Zeidan
- grid.22532.340000 0004 0575 2412Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, Birzeit, Palestine
| | - Haneen Taweel
- grid.22532.340000 0004 0575 2412Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, Birzeit, Palestine
| | - Aisha Shalash
- grid.22532.340000 0004 0575 2412Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, Birzeit, Palestine
| | - Abdullatif Husseini
- grid.22532.340000 0004 0575 2412Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, Birzeit, Palestine
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Hoteit M, Mansour R, Mohsen H, Bookari K, Hammouh F, Allehdan S, AlKazemi D, Al Sabbah H, Benkirane H, Kamel I, Qasrawi R, Tayyem R. Status and correlates of food and nutrition literacy among parents-adolescents' dyads: findings from 10 Arab countries. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1151498. [PMID: 37200945 PMCID: PMC10186151 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1151498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Food literacy is capturing the attention worldwide and gaining traction in the Arab countries. Strengthening food and nutrition literacy among Arab teenagers are important promising empowering tools which can protect them from malnutrition. This study aims to assess the nutrition literacy status of adolescents with the food literacy of their parents in 10 Arab countries. Methods This cross-sectional study involving a convenient sample of 5,401 adolescent-parent dyads (adolescents: mean age ± SD: 15.9 ± 3.0, females: 46.8%; parents: mean age ± SD: 45.0 ± 9.1, mothers: 67.8%) was launched between 29 April and 6 June 2022 in 10 Arab nations. The Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale (ANLS) and the Short Food Literacy Questionnaire (SFLQ) were used to meet the study aims. Results More than one-quarter (28%) of adolescents had poor nutrition literacy, with 60% of their parents being food illiterate. The top three countries with nutritionally" less literate" adolescents were Qatar (44%), Lebanon (37.4%), and Saudi Arabia (34.9%). Adolescents' age, gender, education level, primary caregivers, employment status, and the inclusion of nutrition education in the schools' curriculum predicted the nutrition literacy levels of Arab adolescents. Besides, parental weight status, health status, parent's food literacy level, and the number of children per household were significant determinants too. Adolescents studying at a university and having parents with adequate food literacy had the highest odds of being nutritionally literate (OR = 4.5, CI = 1.8-11.5, p = 0.001, OR = 1.8, CI = 1.6-2.1, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion Nutrition literacy inadequacy among Arab adolescents is a prioritized challenge to be tackled.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maha Hoteit
- Food Science Unit, National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), Beirut, Lebanon
- PHENOL Research Group (Public Health Nutrition Program Lebanon), Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
- *Correspondence: Maha Hoteit,
| | - Rania Mansour
- School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Program of Social Work, Doha, Qatar
- Rania Mansour,
| | - Hala Mohsen
- PHENOL Research Group (Public Health Nutrition Program Lebanon), Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Khlood Bookari
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
- National Nutrition Committee, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fadwa Hammouh
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Madaba, Amman, Jordan
| | - Sabika Allehdan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Bahrain, Zallaq, Bahrain
| | - Dalal AlKazemi
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Haleama Al Sabbah
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hasnae Benkirane
- Joint Research Unit in Nutrition and Food, RDC-Nutrition AFRA/IAEA, Ibn Tofail University-CNESTEN, Kenitra, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Morocco
| | | | - Radwan Qasrawi
- Department of Computer Science, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
- Department of Computer Engineering, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Reema Tayyem
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Tariq MNM, Stojanovska L, Dhaheri ASA, Cheikh Ismail L, Apostolopoulos V, Ali HI. Lifestyle Interventions for Prevention and Management of Diet-Linked Non-Communicable Diseases among Adults in Arab Countries. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 11:healthcare11010045. [PMID: 36611505 PMCID: PMC9819169 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11010045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The increased incidences of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases among adults are becoming the chief public health concern in most Arab countries. Economic expansion has contributed to a nutrition shift from a traditional seasonal diet to Westernized eating habits coupled with a sedentary lifestyle. Despite the rising concern for NCD mortality, public health policies are inadequately addressed. This narrative review aims to discuss the effectiveness of nutritional interventions focusing on diet and physical activity in the management of NCDs among Arab adults. A comprehensive literature search was performed using different database platforms such as Cochrane reviews, Scopus, and PubMed for articles published between 1 December 2012 and 31 December 2021. Fifteen recent research articles addressing NCDs, mainly diabetes and obesity, from different Arab countries were included in this review. Structured lifestyle interventions involving behavioral therapy approaches and personalized goals for diet and physical activity were found to improve specific health outcomes in most studies. Significant improvements in health outcomes were reported for longer-duration interventions with follow-ups. A combination of both online and face-to-face sessions was found to be effective. It is important to identify barriers to physical activity for a culturally acceptable lifestyle intervention and conduct further studies to evaluate interventions for the long-term maintenance of health outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Naveed Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Nutrition & Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lily Stojanovska
- Department of Nutrition & Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia
| | - Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri
- Department of Nutrition & Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Leila Cheikh Ismail
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2JD, UK
| | - Vasso Apostolopoulos
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia
| | - Habiba I. Ali
- Department of Nutrition & Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +971-03-713-6556
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Taslim N, Aqil M, Jbeen A, Ahmad S, Siddiqi A. Current trends and prospects of multiple sclerosis research in Arab countries. East Mediterr Health J 2022; 28:863-871. [PMID: 36573566 DOI: 10.26719/emhj.22.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Multiple sclerosis is a complex and intractable neurological disease associated with substantial morbidity, healthcare utilization, management cost, and loss of productivity. There has been an alarming increase in the number of multiple sclerosis cases in Arab countries in recent years, which has spurred an increase in local research. Aims To analyse the multiple sclerosis research profile in Arab countries. Methods A total of 781 publications focusing on multiple sclerosis research in Arab countries from 1983 to 2021 were extracted from the Web of Science database and analysed using bibliometric techniques. Results Publication on multiple sclerosis research increased sharply in the last decade, globally and in the Arab countries. However, Arab countries have only contributed 0.8% of the overall number of publications. Keyword pattern analysis showed that magnetic resonance imaging, optical coherence tomography, expanded disability status, demyelination, and epidemiology were the major themes of multiple sclerosis research in Arab countries. Case-control, cohort, and descriptive studies were the most prevalent study designs. However, there was a notable paucity of meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and clinical trials. Conclusion Arab countries can improve their regional expertise and add a wealth of knowledge to global multiple sclerosis resources by diversifying their current research initiatives, and tracking recent advances in pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of multiple sclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Najla Taslim
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Clinical Pharmacy, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Aqil
- Directorate of Library Affairs, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Akira Jbeen
- Directorate of Library Affairs, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shakil Ahmad
- Directorate of Library Affairs, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aysha Siddiqi
- Directorate of Library Affairs, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Ahram M, Abdelgawad F, ElHafeez SA, Abdelhafiz AS, Ibrahim ME, Elgamri A, Mohammed Z, El-Rhazi K, Elsebaie E, Gamel E, Shahouri M, Mostafa NT, Adarmouch L, Silverman H. Perceptions, attitudes, and willingness of the public in low- and middle-income countries of the Arab region to participate in biobank research. BMC Med Ethics 2022; 23:122. [PMID: 36457067 PMCID: PMC9713115 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-022-00855-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Population-based genomics studies have proven successful in identifying genetic variants associated with diseases. High-quality biospecimens linked with informative health data from diverse segments of the population have made such research possible. However, the success of biobank research depends on the willingness of the public to participate in this type of research. We aimed to explore the factors associated with the willingness of the public to participate in biobank research from four low- and middle-income countries in the Arab region (Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Sudan). We used a previously validated questionnaire to assess several constructs that included the public's perceptions, attitudes, and willingness to participate in biobank research. We recruited 967 participants. More than half did not have prior awareness of biobanks. Participants' willingness to donate biospecimens and health data was less than 10%. Our results also showed that participants harbored concerns with trust, privacy, and with data-sharing involving international researchers. Predictors of willingness to participate in biobank research included no previous involvement in research and positive attitudes toward biobanks. Finally, our study showed several differences between the four countries regarding several of the investigated constructs. We conclude there should be additional efforts to raise public awareness and enhance perceptions of the public in biobanking research to enhance trust. We further recommend qualitative research to explore the underlying factors that contribute to the public's concerns with international data sharing that would enhance global health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mamoun Ahram
- grid.9670.80000 0001 2174 4509School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Fatma Abdelgawad
- grid.7776.10000 0004 0639 9286Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Samar Abd ElHafeez
- grid.7155.60000 0001 2260 6941High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | | | - Maha Emad Ibrahim
- grid.33003.330000 0000 9889 5690Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Alya Elgamri
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Khartoum, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Zeinab Mohammed
- grid.411662.60000 0004 0412 4932Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt
| | - Karima El-Rhazi
- Faculty of Medicine of Fez, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abellah University, Fez, Morocco
| | - Eman Elsebaie
- grid.7776.10000 0004 0639 9286Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ehsan Gamel
- grid.9763.b0000 0001 0674 6207Faculty of Dentistry, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | | | - Latifa Adarmouch
- grid.411840.80000 0001 0664 9298Faculty of Medicine, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Henry Silverman
- grid.411024.20000 0001 2175 4264University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Bookari K, Arrish J, Zaher S, Alkhalaf M, Alharbi M, Alkhattaf N, Harb Z, Al Hinai E, Alanqodi N, Almajed S, Aldwarji M, Alqaoud N, Elati J, Hoteit M. A Snapshot of the Experience of Dietitians during the COVID-19 Crisis in Five Arab Countries: Findings from a Regional Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients 2022; 14. [PMID: 36432590 DOI: 10.3390/nu14224904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19's intimidating spread has challenged the resilience of the global health systems, causing shifts in the practices of healthcare workers, including dietitians. The current study aimed to assess the change in dietitians' practices and duties in hospitals/clinics after the commencement of COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was conducted in five Arab countries between November 2020 and January 2021. A convenient sample of 903 dietitians filled an online self-administered questionnaire to meet the study aims. Nearly 40.0% of the dietitians experienced a change in their workload and caseload during the pandemic. Besides, 18.7% of the dietitians had been assigned additional tasks in their facilities. Nearly half the dietitians (46.9%) had started giving remote nutrition consultations, associated with a 21% drop in the number of dietitians offering in-person consultations (p = 0.001). Approximately 58.9% of the dietitians provided nutrition care to COVID-19 patients, with 48.4% having access to personal protective equipment. Moreover, 17.0% of dietitians supported COVID-19 patients with enteral and parenteral nutrition. In addition, 45.0% of dietitians reported that managing COVID-19 was challenging given that it was a newly discovered condition.
Collapse
|
32
|
Salman DO, Mahfouz R, Bitar ER, Samaha J, Karam PE. Challenges of genetic diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism in a major tertiary care center in Lebanon. Front Genet 2022; 13:1029947. [PMID: 36468010 PMCID: PMC9715967 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1029947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Inborn errors of metabolism are rare genetic disorders; however, these are prevalent in countries with high consanguinity rates, like Lebanon. Patients are suspected, based on a combination of clinical and biochemical features; however, the final confirmation relies on genetic testing. Using next generation sequencing, as a new genetic investigational tool, carries several challenges for the physician, the geneticist, and the families. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical, biochemical, and genetic profile of inborn errors of metabolism suspected patients, seen at a major tertiary care center in Lebanon, between 2015 and 2018. Genetic testing was performed using next generation sequencing. Genotype-phenotype correlation and diagnostic yield of each testing modality were studied. Results: Out of 211 patients genetically tested, 126 were suspected to have an inborn error of metabolism. The diagnostic yield of next generation sequencing reached 64.3%. Single gene testing was requested in 53%, whole exome sequencing in 36% and gene panels in 10%. Aminoacid disorders were mostly diagnosed followed by storage disorders, organic acidemias and mitochondrial diseases. Targeted testing was performed in 77% of aminoacid and organic acid disorders and half of suspected storage disorders. Single gene sequencing was positive in 75%, whereas whole exome sequencing diagnostic yield for complex cases, like mitochondrial disorders, reached 49%. Good clinical and biochemical correlation allowed the interpretation of variants of unknown significance and negative mutations as well as therapeutic management of most patients. Conclusion: Tailoring the choice of test modality, by next generation sequencing, to the category of suspected inborn errors of metabolism may lead to rapid diagnosis, shortcutting the cost of repeated testing. Whole exome sequencing as a first-tier investigation may be considered mainly for suspected mitochondrial diseases, whereas targeted sequencing can be offered upon suspicion of a specific enzyme deficiency. Timing and modality of gene test remain challenging, in view of the cost incurred by families.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doaa O. Salman
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rami Mahfouz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elio R. Bitar
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jinane Samaha
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon,Inherited Metabolic Diseases Program, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Pascale E. Karam
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon,Inherited Metabolic Diseases Program, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon,*Correspondence: Pascale E. Karam,
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Machaalani M, El Masri J, El Ayoubi LM, Matar B. Cancer research activity in the Arab world: a 15-year bibliometric analysis. J Egypt Public Health Assoc 2022; 97:26. [PMID: 36385361 PMCID: PMC9669254 DOI: 10.1186/s42506-022-00120-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Arab region comprises 22 countries located in the Middle East and North Africa, sharing cultural and linguistic ties. Arab countries have continued to lag in terms of biomedical research compared to other nations for several past decades. Cancer is a major public health concern, being the second leading cause of death globally. Given that high research activity on cancer reflects positively on screening programs, awareness, and clinical practice, this article aimed to examine the activity and trend of cancer research in the Arab world between 2005 and 2019. METHODS Between 2005 and 2019, the number of cancer-related articles published by each Arab country, and regarding 27 different types, was assessed using the PubMed database. Numbers were normalized with respect to each country's average population and average Gross Domestic Product (GDP). RESULTS Arab countries contributed to 1.52% of total cancer publications. The number of cancer publications has steadily grown since 2005, with the last 7 years alone witnessing 75.69% of the total Arab cancer-related publications. In terms of publications per million persons, Qatar ranked first (393.74 per million persons), while in terms of publications per national GDP, Egypt ranked first (464.27 per billion US dollars). Breast, liver, and colorectal cancers had the highest numbers of all Arab cancer-related publications, while testicular, vulvar, and gallbladder cancers had the least. CONCLUSIONS This paper pools information and insight for scientists, clinicians, funders, and decision-makers on the actualities and developments of cancer research in the Arab world. Addressing the barriers facing cancer research remains a cornerstone in the plan to improve the Arab world's output and contribution to the field of oncology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Machaalani
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jad El Masri
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Center, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | | | - Bassam Matar
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Haematology and Oncology, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Al Sabbah H, Assaf EA, Taha Z, Qasrawi R, Ismail LC, Al Dhaheri AS, Hoteit M, Al-Jawaldeh A, Tayyem R, Bawadi H, AlKhalaf M, Bookari K, Kamel I, Dashti S, Allehdan S, Waly M, Al-Halawa DA, Mansour R, Ibrahim M, Al-Mannai M, Survey Group* OBOTRCORONACOOKING. Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on smoking (waterpipe and cigarette) and participants' BMI across various sociodemographic groups in Arab countries in the Mediterranean Region. Tob Induc Dis 2022; 20:98. [PMID: 36419782 PMCID: PMC9650426 DOI: 10.18332/tid/155007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tobacco smokers are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19. Lockdown was a chosen strategy to deal with the spread of infectious diseases; nonetheless, it influenced people's eating and smoking behaviors. The main objective of this study is to determine the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on smoking (waterpipe and cigarette) behavior and its associations with sociodemographic characteristics and body mass index. METHODS The data were derived from a large-scale retrospective cross-sectional study using a validated online international survey from 38 countries (n=37207) conducted between 17 April and 25 June 2020. The Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO-EMR countries) data related to 10 Arabic countries that participated in this survey have been selected for analysis in this study. A total of 12433 participants were included in the analysis of this study, reporting their smoking behavior and their BMI before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between smoking practices and the participant's country of origin, sociodemographic characteristics, and BMI (kg/m2). RESULTS Overall, the prevalence rate of smoking decreased significantly during the lockdown from 29.8% to 23.5% (p<0.05). The percentage of females who smoke was higher than males among the studied population. The highest smoking prevalence was found in Lebanon (33.2%), and the lowest was in Oman (7.9%). In Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia, the data showed a significant difference in the education level of smokers before and during the lockdown (p<0.05). Smokers in Lebanon had lower education levels than those in other countries, where the majority of smokers had a Bachelor's degree. The findings show that the BMI rates in Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, and Saudi Arabia significantly increased during the lockdown (p<0.05). The highest percentages of obesity among smokers before the lockdown were in Oman (33.3%), followed by Bahrain (28.4%) and Qatar (26.4%), whereas, during the lockdown, the percentage of obese smokers was highest in Bahrain (32.1%) followed by Qatar (31.3%) and Oman (25%). According to the logistic regression model, the odds ratio of smoking increased during the pandemic, whereas the odds ratio of TV watching decreased. This finding was statistically significant by age, gender, education level, country of residence, and work status. CONCLUSIONS Although the overall rates of smoking among the studied countries decreased during the lockdown period, we cannot attribute this change in smoking behavior to the lockdown. Smoking cessation services need to anticipate that unexpected disruptions, such as pandemic lockdowns, may be associated with changes in daily tobacco consumption. Public health authorities should promote the adoption of healthy lifestyles to reduce the long-term negative effects of the lockdown.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haleama Al Sabbah
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Enas A. Assaf
- Faculty of Nursing, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Zainab Taha
- Department of Health Sciences, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Radwan Qasrawi
- Department of Computer Science, Al-Quds University, East Jerusalem, Occupied Palestinian Territory,Department of Computer Engineering, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Leila Cheikh Ismail
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates,Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maha Hoteit
- Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh
- World Health Organization - Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reema Tayyem
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Hiba Bawadi
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Majid AlKhalaf
- National Nutrition Committee, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khlood Bookari
- National Nutrition Committee, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Somaia Dashti
- Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Sabika Allehdan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Bahrain, Zallaq, Bahrain
| | - Mostafa Waly
- Food Science and Nutrition Department, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Diala Abu Al-Halawa
- Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, East Jerusalem, Occupied Palestinian Territory
| | | | - Mohammed Ibrahim
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Mu’tah University, Karak, Jordan
| | - Mariam Al-Mannai
- Department of Mathematic, College of Science, University of Bahrain, Zallaq, Bahrain
| | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Tayyem R, Ibrahim MO, Mortada H, AlKhalaf M, Bookari K, Al Sabbah H, Qasrawi R, Kamel I, Dashti S, Allehdan S, Bawadi H, Waly M, Abuhijleh H, Hammouh F, Al-Awwad N, Al-Bayyari N, Cheikh Ismail L, Abu Al-Halawa D, Othman M, Hoteit M. Sex disparities in food consumption patterns, dietary diversity and determinants of self-reported body weight changes before and amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 10 Arab countries. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1029219. [PMID: 36388291 PMCID: PMC9650450 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1029219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic along with its confinement period boosted lifestyle modifications and impacted women and men differently which exacerbated existing gender inequalities. The main objective of this paper is to assess the gender-based differentials in food consumption patterns, dietary diversity and the determinants favoring weight change before and amid the COVID-19 pandemic among Arab men and women from 10 Arab countries. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted based on a convenience sample of 12,447 households' family members (mean age: 33.2 ± 12.9; 50.1% females) and information from participants aged 18 years and above was collected about periods before and during the pandemic. Results Findings showed that, during the COVID-19 period, the dietary diversity, declined by 1.9% among females compared to males (0.4%) (p < 0.001) and by 1.5% among overweight participants (p < 0.001) compared to their counterparts. Conclusions To conclude, gender-sensitive strategies and policies to address weight gain and dietary diversity during emergent shocks and pandemics are urgently needed in the region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reema Tayyem
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University (QU)-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar,Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan,Reema Tayyem
| | - Mohammed O. Ibrahim
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Mu'tah University, Karak, Jordan
| | | | - Majid AlKhalaf
- National Nutrition Committee, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khlood Bookari
- National Nutrition Committee, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haleama Al Sabbah
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Radwan Qasrawi
- Department of Computer Science, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine,Department of Computer Engineering, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Somaia Dashti
- Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Sabika Allehdan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Bahrain, Zallaq, Bahrain
| | - Hiba Bawadi
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University (QU)-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mostafa Waly
- Food Science and Nutrition Department, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Haya Abuhijleh
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University (QU)-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Fadwa Hammouh
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Health Sciences Faculty, American University of Madaba, Madaba, Jordan
| | - Narmeen Al-Awwad
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Nahla Al-Bayyari
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Al-Huson University College, Al-Balqa Applied University, As-Salt, Jordan
| | - Leila Cheikh Ismail
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates,Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Manal Othman
- Department of Human Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University (QU)-Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Maha Hoteit
- Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon,PHENOL Research Group (Public Health Nutrition Program Lebanon), Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebano,Lebanese University Nutrition Surveillance Center, Lebanese Food Drugs and Chemical Administrations, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon,University Medical Center, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon,*Correspondence: Maha Hoteit
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Monshi SS, Collins BN, Wu J, Alzahrani MAJ, Ibrahim JK. Tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship in Arabic media between 2017 and 2019. Health Policy Plan 2022; 37:990-999. [PMID: 35668650 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czac039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Nineteen out of 22 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region, including the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, have ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) treaty. One of FCTC's provisions prohibits tobacco advertisement, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS). The TAPS provision requires nations to ban direct and indirect tobacco ads in media, as exposure to tobacco use in the media encourages smoking initiation. A limited number of studies have examined TAPS in Arabic media. This study examined the occurrence of tobacco use across Arabic television (TV) series released between January 2017 and December 2019 to assess compliance with the FCTC provision banning TAPS. The content analysis examined incidents of tobacco use in Arabic TV series, types of tobacco products used and the portrayal of second-hand smoking exposure. Out of 92 Arabic TV series (2952 episodes), there were 32 044 incidents of tobacco use. Incidents of tobacco use per episode fluctuated over time. During Ramadan, the median number of tobacco incidents declined from 6 in 2017 to 3 in 2019; however, it increased to 8 in 2018. Regular cigarettes and water pipes were the most common tobacco products used in TV series. While 27% of tobacco use showed characters who smoked tobacco products alone, 13% of the incidents portrayed characters who were smoking in the presence of children. This study concludes that tobacco imagery is not completely banned in Arabic media and its continued representation weakens tobacco control measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S Monshi
- Department of Health Services Administration and Policy, Temple University, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
- Department of Health Services Management, Umm Al-Qura University, 7392 Al Jamiah, Mecca 24243, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bradley N Collins
- Department of Health Services Administration and Policy, Temple University, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Jingwei Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Temple University, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | | | - Jennifer K Ibrahim
- Department of Health Services Administration and Policy, Temple University, 1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Hasosah M, Haleem A, Jacobson K, Alshemmeri B, Alenazi A, Badei AA, Massoud P. Knowledge and practice of pediatricians regarding childhood constipation in the Arab world: results from a multicenter survey. BMC Pediatr 2022; 22:478. [PMID: 35933335 PMCID: PMC9356407 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03536-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We aimed to evaluate knowledge and practice styles among medical providers with different professions and working in different Arab countries regarding their approach to childhood constipation. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional multinational survey in eight Arab countries. Pediatric care providers (PCPs), including pediatric specialists (PSs), pediatric residents (PRs), pediatric consultants (PCs), pediatric gastroenterologists (PGs), general practitioners (GPs), and pediatric surgeons (PSu), were included in our study. The survey was anonymous, and participants provided input on the definition and management of constipation. Results Of 4000 PCPs, 2579 completed the survey (response rate of 64.5%). Although the majority of respondents were aware of the Rome IV criteria to diagnose constipation, significant differences in the percentage of participants in different geographic countries regarding the definition of constipation were noted. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was prescribed as a first-line treatment of fecal disimpaction significantly more frequently by pediatricians (PSs, PRs, PCs, PGs) than GPs and PSu (12.8% versus 7.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). Additionally, we found that pediatricians used special milk (high magnesium) as a first-choice formula significantly more often than other physicians (53.7% versus 37%, P < 0.001). For maintenance therapy, both pediatricians and nonpediatricians used dietary management with a special milk formula more than other treatment options (84.2% and 84%, respectively). Conclusions Despite increased awareness of the Rome IV criteria, significant differences in knowledge and practice patterns regarding fecal disimpaction exist among PCPs from different Arab countries. The identification of these gaps may be helpful for policy-makers to produce targeted instructional resources on constipation for PCPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Hasosah
- Pediatric Gastroenterology Department, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center's (KAIMRC) National Guard Heath Affairs. Hospital, PO Box: 8202, Jeddah, 21482, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Azad Haleem
- Pediatric Gastroenterology Department, University of Duhok/College of Medicine, Duhok, Iraq
| | - Kevan Jacobson
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, British Colombia Children's Hospital, and British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Bassel Alshemmeri
- Pediatric Gastroenterology Department, Kuwait Oil Company Hospital, Ahmadi, Kuwait
| | - Aziz Alenazi
- Pediatric Gastroenterology Department, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center's (KAIMRC) National Guard Heath Affairs Hospital, Riyad, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Peggy Massoud
- Saint Joseph University, Novalac MENA Region, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Zedan HT, Ali FH, Zayed H. The spectrum of chromosomal translocations in the Arab world: ethnic-specific chromosomal translocations and their relevance to diseases. Chromosoma 2022. [PMID: 35907041 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-022-00775-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations (CTs) are the most common type of structural chromosomal abnormalities in humans. CTs have been reported in several studies in the Arab world, but the frequency and spectrum of these translocations are not well characterized. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review to estimate the frequency and spectrum of CTs in the 22 Arab countries. Four literature databases were searched: PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science, from the time of inception until July 2021. A combination of broad search terms was used to collect all possible CTs reported in the Arab world. In addition to the literature databases, all captured CTs were searched in three chromosomal rearrangement databases (Mitelman Database, CytoD 1.0 Database, and the Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Hematology), along with PubMed and Google Scholar, to check whether the CTs are unique to the Arabs or shared between Arabs and non-Arabs. A total of 9,053 titles and abstracts were screened, of which 168 studies met our inclusion criteria, and 378 CTs were identified in 15 Arab countries, of which 57 CTs were unique to Arab patients. Approximately 89% of the identified CTs involved autosomal chromosomes. Three CTs, t(9;22), t(13;14), and t(14;18), showed the highest frequency, which were associated with hematological malignancies, recurrent pregnancy loss, and follicular lymphoma, respectively. Complex CTs were commonly reported among Arabs, with a total of 44 CTs, of which 12 were unique to Arabs. This is the first study to focus on the spectrum of CTs in the Arab world and compressively map the ethnic-specific CTs relevant to cancer. It seems that there is a distinctive genotype of Arabs with CTs, of which some manifested with unique clinical phenotypes. Although ethnic-specific CTs are highly relevant to disease mechanism, they are understudied and need to be thoroughly addressed.
Collapse
|
39
|
Basurrah AA, Di Blasi Z, Lambert L, Murphy M, Warren MA, Setti A, Al-Haj Baddar M, Shrestha T. The effects of positive psychology interventions in Arab countries: A systematic review. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2022; 15:803-821. [PMID: 35856920 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
While there is evidence for the effects of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) in the Western world, we know little about their effects on Arab cultures. This review aimed to assess the effects of PPIs on well-being and mental health across Arab countries. Systematic searches of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies investigating PPIs in Arabia were conducted in six English and Arabic databases from the inception of positive psychology in 1998 to 28 February 2022. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tools. The protocol was published in the BMJ Open. Forty-four studies from 10 Arab countries (n = 3598 participants) were included. Of these, 12 were RCTs and 32 were quasi-experimental. The studies mainly focused on adults (73%) and healthy populations (86%). PPIs included mindfulness, positive thinking, strengths, hope, optimism, self-compassion, positive traits, and multiple PPIs. Nearly all studies (91%) mentioned cultural adaptation; however, little detail was given. This is the first review in Arabia. PPIs appear to be effective for promoting well-being and reducing mental health issues. However, there were some risks of bias concerns. Future research should include younger and clinical populations, using larger samples and providing more details about adaptation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asma A Basurrah
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and humanities, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Zelda Di Blasi
- School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Louise Lambert
- Psychology Department, Canadian University of Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mike Murphy
- School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Meg A Warren
- Department of Management, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA
| | - Annalisa Setti
- School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Topaz Shrestha
- School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Khatatbeh M, Albalas S, Khatatbeh H, Momani W, Melhem O, Al Omari O, Tarhini Z, A'aqoulah A, Al-Jubouri M, Nashwan AJ, Adwan G, Altaany Z, Nashwan A, Al-Waqfi K, Abuirsheid L, Ayasreh R, Al Mutairi M, Al-Tammemi AB. Children's rates of COVID-19 vaccination as reported by parents, vaccine hesitancy, and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among children: a multi-country study from the Eastern Mediterranean Region. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1375. [PMID: 35850675 PMCID: PMC9294741 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13798-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Huge efforts are being made to control the spread and impacts of the coronavirus pandemic using vaccines. However, willingness to be vaccinated depends on factors beyond the availability of vaccines. The aim of this study was three-folded: to assess children’s rates of COVID-19 Vaccination as reported by parents, to explore parents’ attitudes towards children’s COVID-19 vaccination, and to examine the factors associated with parents’ hesitancy towards children’s vaccination in several countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Methods This study utilized a cross-sectional descriptive design. A sample of 3744 parents from eight countries, namely, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was conveniently approached and surveyed using Google forms from November to December 2021. The participants have responded to a 42-item questionnaire pertaining to socio-demographics, children vaccination status, knowledge about COVID-19 vaccines, and attitudes towards vaccinating children and the vaccine itself. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS- IBM, Chicago, IL, USA) was used to analyze the data. A cross-tabulation analysis using the chi-square test was employed to assess significant differences between categorical variables and a backward Wald stepwise binary logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the independent effect of each factor after controlling for potential confounders. Results The prevalence of vaccinated children against COVID-19 was 32% as reported by the parents. Concerning parents’ attitudes towards vaccines safety, about one third of participants (32.5%) believe that all vaccines are not safe. In the regression analysis, children’s vaccination was significantly correlated with parents’ age, education, occupation, parents’ previous COVID-19 infection, and their vaccination status. Participants aged ≥50 years and those aged 40-50 years had an odds ratio of 17.9 (OR = 17.9, CI: 11.16-28.97) and 13.2 (OR = 13.2, CI: 8.42-20.88); respectively, for vaccinating their children compared to those aged 18-29 years. Parents who had COVID-19 vaccine were about five folds more likely to vaccinate their children compared with parents who did not receive the vaccine (OR = 4.9, CI: 3.12-7.70). The prevalence of children’s vaccination in the participating Arab countries is still not promising. Conclusion To encourage parents, vaccinate their children against COVID-19, Arab governments should strategize accordingly. Reassurance of the efficacy and effectiveness of the vaccine should target the general population using educational campaigns, social media, and official TV and radio channels. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13798-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moawiah Khatatbeh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan.
| | - Samir Albalas
- Department of Health Services Administration, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Haitham Khatatbeh
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Waleed Momani
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Omar Melhem
- Department of Nursing, Fatima College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Omar Al Omari
- College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Zeinab Tarhini
- CAPTuR Laboratory, Control of Cell Activation in Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Resistance, Limoges, France.,Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, GEIST, Limoges, France
| | - Ashraf A'aqoulah
- Department of Health Systems Management, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Abdulqadir J Nashwan
- Nursing Department, Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ghaleb Adwan
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Zaid Altaany
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Ayat Nashwan
- Department of Sociology and Social Work, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Khaled Al-Waqfi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Lujain Abuirsheid
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Raghad Ayasreh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | | | - Ala'a B Al-Tammemi
- Migration Health Division, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amman, Jordan
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Alkhateeb JM, Hadidi MS, Mounzer W. The Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder on Parents in Arab Countries: A Systematic Literature Review. Front Psychol 2022; 13:955442. [PMID: 35911024 PMCID: PMC9330163 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.955442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Having a child with autism spectrum disorder can have significant psychological effects on parents. This systematic review summarizes the current state of literature underscoring the impact of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on parents in Arab countries. Methods A systematic search of seven databases (PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar, ERIC, Academic Search Complete, and PsycINFO) was performed, which identified 24 studies (20 quantitative studies and four qualitative studies) that included 3,299 parents or caregivers of children with ASD. These studies were conducted in 10 Arab countries (Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Emirates, Palestine, Qatar, and Lebanon). Results The majority of the included studies found that ASD has a significant negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of Arab parents. It was found that parents of children with ASD have a poor quality of life (QoL) and an increased risk of psychological disorders. These findings were in contrast to findings of parents of typically developing children and children with other developmental disorders. Challenges faced by parents of children with ASD were associated with several child- and parent-related factors. The most common coping strategy used by parents was religious coping. Conclusion The impact of ASD on parents has only recently gained traction among researchers in Arab countries. Despite several knowledge gaps, published studies have provided useful information outlining the impact of ASD on parents in some of these countries. Further research comprising larger random samples and using varied research and data-collection methods is required to understand the multifaceted challenges experienced by parents raising children with ASD in Arab countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamal M. Alkhateeb
- Department of Special Education, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Muna S. Hadidi
- Department of Special Education, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Wissam Mounzer
- Department of Special Education, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Almahmoud OH, Arabiat DH, Saleh MY. Systematic review and meta-analysis: Prevalence of hypertension among adolescents in the Arab countries. J Pediatr Nurs 2022; 65:e72-e79. [PMID: 35305878 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PROBLEM Hypertension (HTN) is one of the non-communicable diseases which prevalence is rising in both developed and developing countries. There is a scarcity of data on the prevalence of HTN in Arab countries. This review outlines what is currently known about prevalence and risk factors of HTN in adolescence in Arab world. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases from 2011 to 2021. SAMPLE Fourteen studies from 9 Arab countries met inclusion criteria. Studies included a total of 777 adolescents with HTN and 2147 adolescents with pre-HTN. RESULTS The overall prevalence of HTN among adolescents in the Arab World was estimated at 12.6% (95CI 0.083-0.176), while pre-HTN was 13.9% (95CI 0.084-0205). Overweight and obesity resemble the higher risk of developing hypertension. Family history, high consumption of salt, smoking and low physical activity also increase the risk of HTN. The development of adolescent HTN can be predicted through anthropometric measurements such as Body Mass Index (BMI), wrist circumferences, and high waist circumference. CONCLUSION The prevalence of HTN among adolescents in the Arab world was significant, ranging from 4 to 26%. The heterogeneity between studies was high. IMPLICATION Local governments and policymakers must consider strengthening regulations to address environmental risk factors and improve public awareness about risk factors to HTN. A combined use of nurse- and patient targeted educational interventions could also help in reducing the burden of HTN in this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Omar H Almahmoud
- Nursing Department, Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Professions College, Birzeit University, Palestine.
| | - Diana H Arabiat
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia; The Centre for Evidence Informed Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare Practice, Joondalup, WA, Australia; Maternal and Child Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Belhout C, Elgroud R, Butaye P. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Other Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci and Mammaliicoccus (MRNaS) Associated with Animals and Food Products in Arab Countries: A Review. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9070317. [PMID: 35878334 PMCID: PMC9320237 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9070317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Staphylococci are present in the microbiota of both humans and animal species, being recognized as the most important opportunistic pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a global public health issue presenting a significant risk because it severely limits treatment options. Methicillin resistance in staphylococci (MRS) poses a specific problem as it may cause serious human and animal infections, eventually resulting in death. The increasing observation of MRS in different animal species has raised the concern of their impact on animal health and the potential of zoonotic transmission. The availability of comprehensive data on the ecology and distribution of MRS in animals and food products worldwide is necessary to understand their relevance in the “One Health” domain. However, there is a gap in information in terms of MRS and the Arab countries. Therefore, our study aimed to provide an overview of the situation of MRS in these countries by reviewing the available data on livestock and animal products and making recommendations for the future. Abstract The prevalence of methicillin resistance in staphylococci has been increasing globally and is currently one of the major public health concerns. In particular, treating infections caused by staphylococci with acquired antimicrobial resistance is problematic, as their treatment is more difficult. The resistance is found both in human and animal staphylococcal strains. Methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) have also been increasingly reported in wildlife. In Arab countries, MRS has been detected in food producing animals and food products; however, the risk this poses is somewhat unclear, and still a significant lack of information on the trend and distribution of these pathogens in these countries, which have a specific ecosystem (desert) and traditions (Muslim culture). In this manuscript, we aim to provide an overview of the prevalence and the major MRS clonal lineages circulating in these specific countries and compare to them other situations with different ecosystems and cultures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chahrazed Belhout
- HASAQ Laboratory, High National Veterinary School, Issad Abbes Avenue, Oued Smar, El Harrach, Algiers 16270, Algeria
- Correspondence:
| | - Rachid Elgroud
- Institute of Veterinary Sciences, University Frères Mentouri Constantine 1, Constantine 25017, Algeria;
| | - Patrick Butaye
- Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B9820 Merelbeke, Belgium;
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Sweileh WM. Contribution of researchers in Arab countries to scientific publications on neglected tropical diseases (1971 - 2020). Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines 2022; 8:14. [PMID: 35650654 PMCID: PMC9159044 DOI: 10.1186/s40794-022-00173-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are endemic in several Arab countries. The purpose of the current study was to assess the contribution of researchers in Arab countries to the knowledge base on NTDs using bibliometric indicators. METHODS Keywords related to all 20 NTDs were obtained from previously published bibliometric studies and were combined with the names of Arab countries listed as country affiliation. the search strategy was implemented in the Scopus database and bibliometric indicators were generated for the study period from 1971 to 2020 RESULTS: The search strategy generated 6542 documents; representing less than 4% of the global research in the field. Scientific research on NTDs from researchers in Arab countries (a) has experienced slow growth; (b) generated a relatively inadequate number of publications over the study period; (c) was disseminated mainly through journals in the field of parasitology or tropical medicine; (d) was contributed by researchers from the 22 Arab countries, but mainly by researchers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan; (e) has fragmented author networks with weak collaboration between active authors in the field; (f) was characterized by strong cross-country research collaboration with researchers in the US and the UK; (g) has focused on three main diseases, specifically, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis, and (h) showed less emphasis on soil-transmitted helminthiasis infections despite high prevalence. CONCLUSIONS Arab countries cannot achieve the 2030 global agenda without control and elimination of prevalent NTDs. Researchers in Arab countries need to establish strong research networks to exchange expertise on all NTDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Waleed M Sweileh
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology/Toxicology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Itani R, Karout S, Khojah HMJ, Rabah M, Kassab MB, Welty FK, AlBaghdadi M, Khraishah H, El-Dahiyat F, Alzayani S, Khader YS, Alyahya MS, Alsane D, Abu-Farha R, Mukattash TL, Soukarieh T, Awad MF, Awad R, Wehbi A, Abbas F, El Mais H, El Mais H, Karout L. Diverging levels of COVID-19 governmental response satisfaction across middle eastern Arab countries: a multinational study. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:893. [PMID: 35513805 PMCID: PMC9069218 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13292-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public acceptance of governmental measures are key to controlling the spread of infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on healthcare systems for high-income countries as well as low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The ability of LMICs to respond to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic has been limited and may have affected the impact of governmental strategies to control the spread of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate and compare public opinion on the governmental COVID-19 response of high and LMICs in the Middle East and benchmark it to international countries. METHODS An online, self-administered questionnaire was distributed among different Middle Eastern Arab countries. Participants' demographics and level of satisfaction with governmental responses to COVID-19 were analyzed and reported. Scores were benchmarked against 19 international values. RESULTS A total of 7395 responses were included. Bahrain scored highest for satisfaction with the governmental response with 38.29 ± 2.93 on a scale of 40, followed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (37.13 ± 3.27), United Arab Emirates (36.56 ± 3.44), Kuwait (35.74 ± 4.85), Jordan (23.08 ± 6.41), and Lebanon (15.39 ± 5.28). Participants' country of residence was a significant predictor of the satisfaction score (P < 0.001), and participants who suffered income reduction due to the pandemic, had a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and held higher educational degrees had significantly lower satisfaction scores (P < 0.001). When benchmarked with other international publics, countries from the Gulf Cooperation Council had the highest satisfaction level, Jordan had an average score, and Lebanon had one of the lowest satisfaction scores. CONCLUSION The political crisis in Lebanon merged with the existing corruption were associated with the lowest public satisfaction score whereas the economical instability of Jordan placed the country just before the lowest position. On the other hand, the solid economy plus good planning and public trust in the government placed the other countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council on top of the scale. Further investigation is necessary to find out how the governments of other low-income countries may have handled the situation wisely and gained the trust of their publics. This may help convey a clearer picture to Arab governments that have suffered during the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rania Itani
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Samar Karout
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hani M. J. Khojah
- Department of Clinical and Hospital Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Makram Rabah
- Department of History and Archeology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mohamad B. Kassab
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Francine K. Welty
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Mazen AlBaghdadi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Haitham Khraishah
- Division of Cardiology, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Faris El-Dahiyat
- Clinical Pharmacy Program, College of Pharmacy, Al-Ain University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Salman Alzayani
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
| | - Yousef S. Khader
- Epidemiology, Medical Education and Biostatistics, Department of Community Medicine, Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Mohammad S. Alyahya
- Department of Health Management and Policy, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Danah Alsane
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Rana Abu-Farha
- Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Tareq L. Mukattash
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Tarek Soukarieh
- American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Reem Awad
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Abir Wehbi
- Health Department, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Fatima Abbas
- Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hadi El Mais
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Huda El Mais
- Faculty of Medicine, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lina Karout
- Faculty of Medicine, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Cheikh Ismail L, Osaili TM, Mohamad MN, Al Marzouqi A, Habib-Mourad C, Abu Jamous DO, Ali HI, Al Sabbah H, Hasan H, Hassan H, Stojanovska L, Hashim M, AlHaway M, Qasrawi R, Shaker Obaid RR, Al Daour R, Saleh ST, Al Dhaheri AS. Assessment of Dietary and Lifestyle Responses After COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in Selected Arab Countries. Front Nutr 2022; 9:849314. [PMID: 35495916 PMCID: PMC9048021 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.849314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has been consistently associated with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and dietary practices. This study aimed to assess the dietary and lifestyle behaviors of adults after COVID-19 vaccine availability and their attitude toward the vaccine in selected Arab countries. Methods A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted between October 2021 and December 2021 using Google Forms (n = 2259). A multi-component questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine, and behavioral, dietary, and lifestyle responses after easing the restriction. Participants were given a score based on the sum of positive dietary and lifestyle changes. The generalized linear models were used to identify the association between positive dietary and lifestyle changes score and sociodemographic characteristics. Results Weight gain during the pandemic was reported by 39.5% of the participants, 36.1% reported ever getting infected with the COVID-19 virus, and 85% received at least one dose of the vaccine. The key adverse reactions of the COVID-19 vaccine were fatigue, headache, and joint pain, and the main reason for vaccination was protection against infection. Most participants were concerned about the vaccine side effects (45.8%) and inadequate testing (50.7%). After easing of restriction, 54.3% of the participants reduced the frequency of disinfecting objects, and 58.3% joined social events. Most dietary and lifestyle behaviors remained unchanged after vaccine availability but there was an increase in the time spent behind the screen for work (50.1%) and entertainment (42.9%). The results of the multivariate regression analyses revealed that older participants (p = 0.001), those with higher education (p = 0.010), and those working from home (p = 0.040) were more likely to have higher positive dietary and lifestyle changes scores. Conclusion Although most participants were concerned about vaccine safety, low vaccine hesitancy rates were observed among the study sample. The availability of the COVID-19 vaccines resulted in loosening some of the safety social measures among Arab adults but the negative impact of the pandemic on dietary and lifestyle behaviors remained unaltered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leila Cheikh Ismail
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tareq M. Osaili
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Maysm N. Mohamad
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amina Al Marzouqi
- Department of Health Services Administration, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Carla Habib-Mourad
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Dima O. Abu Jamous
- Research Institute of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Habiba I. Ali
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Haleama Al Sabbah
- College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hayder Hasan
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hussein Hassan
- Department of Natural Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lily Stojanovska
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mona Hashim
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Muna AlHaway
- Blood Transfusion and Research Center, Emirates Health Services, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Radwan Qasrawi
- Department of Computer Science, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
- Department of Computer Engineering, Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Reyad R. Shaker Obaid
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rameez Al Daour
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sheima T. Saleh
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Mamdouh M, Tai AMY, Westenberg JN, Shams F, Jang K, Badawy A, Elsawi H, Krausz M. Egyptian Students Open to Digital Mental Health Care: Cross-Sectional Survey. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e31727. [PMID: 35311692 PMCID: PMC8981018 DOI: 10.2196/31727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Egypt, the shortage of mental health services, particularly for adolescents and young adults, is apparent. Electronic mental health (EMH) has been proposed as a solution to bridge the gap and better address the needs of young people. However, EMH is new to Egypt and its acceptability among target populations is crucial to its implementation and success. Objective The objective of this study is to explore the interest of Egyptian youth in EMH, identify perceived barriers to EMH, and inform the design of EMH tools to best address the needs of youth. Methods A web-based cross-sectional survey was distributed among medical students at Tanta University in Egypt. Chi-square and one-way analysis of variance tests were performed for inferential analyses using a significance level of .05. Results Of the 707 individuals who completed the survey (90.9% response rate), 60.5% (428) were female, 62% (438) lived in urban and suburban areas, and the mean age of the sample was 20.5 (SD 1.8) years. The vast majority of participants (522/707, 73.8%) had already used the internet to find information about mental health problems, but the information was unsatisfactory for about half of them (386/707, 54.6%). Almost all students reported that they would prefer web-based therapy if EMH were available through a trustworthy national web-based platform for youth mental health (601/707, 85%). Students believed that emotional difficulties, social support, and coping strategies were the main topics that EMH should help with. The most common perceived barriers for EMH use in Egypt were concerns about privacy (382/707, 54%) and a lack of technology literacy and unfamiliarity with EMH (352/707, 50%). Conclusions EMH is a promising strategy for addressing gaps in the mental health care for young people. To construct and implement a digital system of care that addresses the unique needs and preferences of youth, adolescents and young adults should be involved in the co-development and design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Mamdouh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Andy Man Yeung Tai
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Farhud Shams
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kerry Jang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Adel Badawy
- Department of Psychiatry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Houssam Elsawi
- Department of Psychiatry, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Michael Krausz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Awad A, Shalash A, Abu-Rmeileh NME. Women's experiences throughout the birthing process in health facilities in Arab countries: a systematic review. Reprod Health 2022; 19:68. [PMID: 35303901 PMCID: PMC8931971 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-022-01377-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mistreatment of women during facility-based childbirth has become a significant public health issue globally and is gaining worldwide attention. This systematic review of quantitative studies aimed to estimate the prevalence of mistreatment women may experience throughout the birthing process in health facilities in Arab countries. The review also aimed to identify the types of mistreatment, terminology, tools, and methods used to address this topic. METHODOLOGY The search was conducted using three electronic databases: "PubMed," "Embase," and "CINAHL" in May 2020. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were included and assessed for risk of bias. The analysis was conducted based on the evidence-based typology developed by Bohren et al. as a guide to try to estimate the prevalence of mistreatment. RESULTS Eleven studies out of 174 were included. The included studies belonged to only seven Arab countries out of 22 Arab countries. The mistreatment of women during childbirth is still new in the region. Searching within the included studies yielded diverse and indirect terms that were a proxy for the word mistreatment. These terms were not comprehensive to cover different aspects of the topic. The tools that were used to measure the terms widely varied.. Moreover, it was not possible to estimate the prevalence of mistreatment of women due to high heterogeneity among the 11 studies. CONCLUSION The topic of mistreatment of women in Arab countries was not adequately addressed in the studies included in this review. More research on this topic is recommended due to its importance in improving maternal health in the region. However, a standardized and comprehensive terminology for mistreatment of women, a standardized tool, and a standardized methodology are recommended to enable comparability between results and allow pooling to estimate the prevalence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arein Awad
- Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, P.O.Box 14, Birzeit, Palestine
| | - Aisha Shalash
- Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, P.O.Box 14, Birzeit, Palestine.,School of Medicine, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Niveen M E Abu-Rmeileh
- Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, P.O.Box 14, Birzeit, Palestine.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Basurrah AA, Al-Haj Baddar M, Di Blasi Z. Positive Psychology Interventions as an Opportunity in Arab Countries to Promoting Well-Being. Front Psychol 2022; 12:793608. [PMID: 35069381 PMCID: PMC8766806 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.793608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Asma A Basurrah
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Zelda Di Blasi
- School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Rizk NA, Moghnieh R, Haddad N, Rebeiz MC, Zeenny RM, Hindy JR, Orlando G, Kanj SS. Challenges to Antimicrobial Stewardship in the Countries of the Arab League: Concerns of Worsening Resistance during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Proposed Solutions. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10111320. [PMID: 34827257 PMCID: PMC8614706 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10111320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to worsen the global problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). There is a heightened interest in understanding this effect and to develop antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions accordingly to curb this threat. Our paper aims to evaluate the potential magnitude of COVID-19 on AMR and AMS with a focus on the countries of the Arab league, given the social, political, and economic environments. We also evaluate obstacles in applying the rational use of antibiotics, monitoring resistance trends in the midst of the pandemic, and evaluating the impact of the economic crisis in some countries. We aim to raise awareness about the potential effects of antibiotic overuse during the pandemic and to propose practical approaches to tackle this issue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nesrine A. Rizk
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Rima Moghnieh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Makassed General Hospital, Beirut P.O. Box 11-6301, Lebanon;
| | - Nisrine Haddad
- Pharmacy Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (N.H.); (R.M.Z.)
| | - Marie-Claire Rebeiz
- Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Rony M. Zeenny
- Pharmacy Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (N.H.); (R.M.Z.)
| | - Joya-Rita Hindy
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine Department, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA;
| | - Gabriella Orlando
- Infectious Disease Clinic, Policlinico University Hospital, 41122 Modena, Italy;
| | - Souha S. Kanj
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine Department, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|