scholarly journals Salt Reduction Initiatives in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and Evaluation of Progress towards the 2025 Global Target: A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2676
Author(s):  
Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh ◽  
Mandy Taktouk ◽  
Aya Chatila ◽  
Sally Naalbandian ◽  
Al-Anoud Mohammed Al-Thani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Salt Intake ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Salt Reduction ◽  
Strategic Approach

This study aims at identifying national salt reduction initiatives in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region and describing their progress towards the global salt reduction target. A systematic review of published and grey literature was conducted. Key characteristics of strategies were extracted and classified according to a pre-defined framework: salt intake assessments; leadership and strategic approach; implementation strategies; monitoring and evaluation of program impact. Salt intake levels were estimated in 15 out of the 22 countries (68%), while national salt reduction initiatives were identified in 13 (59%). The majority of countries were found to implement multifaceted reduction interventions, characterized by a combination of two or more implementation strategies. The least common implementation strategy was taxation, while the most common was reformulation (100%), followed by consumer education (77%), initiatives in specific settings (54%), and front of pack labelling (46%). Monitoring activities were conducted by few countries (27%), while impact evaluations were lacking. Despite the ongoing salt reduction efforts in several countries of the region, more action is needed to initiate reduction programs in countries that are lagging behind, and to ensure rigorous implementation and evaluations of ongoing programs. Such efforts are vital for the achievement of the targeted 30% reduction in salt intake.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Trans Fat Reduction Initiatives in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh ◽  
Mandy Taktouk ◽  
Aya Chatila ◽  
Sally Naalbandian ◽  
Zahra Abdollahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Public Institution ◽  
Consumer Education ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Gray Literature

High intakes of trans fatty acids (TFA), particularly industrially-produced TFA, are implicated in the etiology of cardiovascular diseases, which represent the leading cause of mortality in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). This systematic review aims to document existing national TFA reduction strategies in the EMR, providing an overview of initiatives that are implemented by countries of the region, and tracking progress toward the elimination of industrially-produced TFA. A systematic review of published and gray literature was conducted using a predefined search strategy. A total of 136 peer-reviewed articles, gray literature documents, websites and references from country contacts were obtained, up until 2 August 2021. Randomized-control trials, case-control studies, and studies targeting unhealthy population groups were excluded. Only articles published after 1995, in English, Arabic or French, were included. Key characteristics of strategies were extracted and classified according to a pre-developed framework, which includes TFA intake assessment; determination of TFA levels in foods; strategic approach; implementation strategies (TFA bans/limits; consumer education, labeling, interventions in public institution settings, taxation), as well as monitoring and evaluation of program impact. Thirteen out of the 22 countries of the EMR (59%) have estimated TFA intake levels, 9 have determined TFA levels in foods (41%), and 14 (63.6%) have national TFA reduction initiatives. These initiatives were mainly led by governments, or by national multi-sectoral committees. The most common TFA reduction initiatives were based on TFA limits or bans (14/14 countries), with a mandatory approach being adopted by 8 countries (Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, KSA, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman and Palestine). Complementary approaches were implemented in several countries, including consumer education (10/14), food labeling (9/14) and interventions in specific settings (7/14). Monitoring activities were conducted by few countries (5/14), and impact evaluations were identified in only Iran and the UAE. The robustness of the studies, in terms of methodology and quality of assessment, as well as the lack of sufficient data in the EMR, remain a limitation that needs to be highlighted. Further action is needed to initiate TFA reduction programs in countries that are lagging behind, and to ensure rigorous implementation and evaluation of ongoing programs.

scholarly journals Correction to: A systematic review on hospital inefficiency in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: sources and solutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Ravaghi ◽  
Mahnaz Afshari ◽  
Parvaneh Isfahani ◽  
Victoria D. Bélorgeot
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Original Publication

In the original publication of this article [1], one author’s name needs to be revised from Pavaneh Isfahani to Parvaneh Isfahani.

scholarly journals Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Micro- and Macro-Nutrient Intakes and Trajectories of Macro-Nutrient Supply in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1515
Author(s):  
Radhouene Doggui ◽  
Hanin Al-Jawaldeh ◽  
Jalila El Ati ◽  
Rawhieh Barham ◽  
Lara Nasreddine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Institute Of Medicine ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies

The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is experiencing a nutrition transition, characterized by the emergence of overnutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies. No previous study has comparatively examined nutrient intake in adults across countries in the EMR. This review examined the adequacy of nutrients in adults living in the EMR. Moreover, it analyzed the food balance sheets (FBS) for 1961–2018 to identify the trajectory of energy supply from macro-nutrients in the EMR. A systematic search was conducted from January 2012 to September 2020. Only observational studies were retained with a random sampling design. An assessment of the methodological quality was conducted. Levels of nutrient daily intake and their adequacy compared to the daily reference intake of the Institute of Medicine were reported across the region. No studies were identified for half of the region’s countries. Although nutrient energy intake was satisfactory overall, fat and carbohydrate intake were high. Intake of vitamin D, calcium, potassium, zinc, and magnesium were below that recommended. The analysis of the FBS data allowed for the identification of four linear patterns of trajectories, with countries in the EMR best fitting the ‘high-energy-supply from carbohydrate’ group. This systematic review warrants multi-sectorial commitment to optimize nutrient intake.

scholarly journals Self-medication with antibiotics in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Negarandeh ◽  
Shah Jahan Shayan ◽  
Rajab Nazari ◽  
BSc. Frank Kiwanuka ◽  
MSc. Sanaz Akhavan Rad
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
World Health ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Inappropriate Use

Abstract Background Recently, inappropriate use of antibiotics has been correlated with life-threatening side-effects such as adverse effects, increased cost of treatment, and the higher rate of microbial resistance. Besides, it leads to a waste of resources. Therefore, this review sought to determine the pooled prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics, self-medicated illness, reasons for self-medication, antibiotics used for self-medication, source of obtaining antibiotics, the inappropriate practice of antibiotics and suggested recommendations for talking self-medication with antibiotics in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organization (EMRWHO). Methods Review conforms to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Database search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science using a combination of keywords which included; antimicrobial, antibacterial, antibiotic, self-medication, self-treatment, self-prescription, non-prescribed, irrational use, inappropriate use, misuse, abuse and Eastern Mediterranean Region of WHO countries. The lists of references of the selected articles were also hand-searched to obtained additional relevant articles. Studies published in English from 2000 to 2018 were included in the review. Results We report on data from 60 articles and 49629 participants in this review. The overall prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics in EMRWHO was 47.2% (95% CI 41.6% – 52.9%). Yemen has the highest pooled rate with a rate of 75.0% (95% CI 63.4% − 83.9%), whilst Lebanon has the lowest pooled rate with a prevalence of 28.7% (95% CI 18.4% − 41.8%). The most common illnesses implicated in antibiotic self-medication were upper-respiratory infections and the most common antibiotic was Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid. The commonest reasons for antibiotic self-medication include: saving time and money. Pharmacies pointed out as the most common source of obtaining antibiotics for self-medication. Conclusion Self-medication with antibiotics is significantly high in the member states of EMRWHO. Intervention such as an educational program for communities’ members to change their behaviors, policy on the mechanism of distribution of antibiotics is called for in this area.

The prevalence of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and prediabetes in Eastern Mediterranean region (EMRO): A systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 160 ◽  
pp. 107931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Mirahmadizadeh ◽  
Mohammad Fathalipour ◽  
Ali Mohammad Mokhtari ◽  
Shahryar Zeighami ◽  
Soheil Hassanipour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region

Surgical site infections in Eastern Mediterranean region: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (10) ◽  
pp. 719-729
Author(s):  
Abdulbaset Maleknejad ◽  
Neda Dastyar ◽  
Mahin Badakhsh ◽  
Abbas Balouchi ◽  
Hosein Rafiemanesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Surgical Site Infections
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