A Cross-Sectional Study of the Alarming Prevalence of Smoking Among Lebanese Physicians and Its Negative Impact on Promoting Cessation

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-50
Author(s):  
Ahmad Berjawi ◽  
Mouhamad Nasser ◽  
Wassim Nassreddine ◽  
Amjad Kanj ◽  
Abir Kojok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Smoking Habits ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Smoking Cessation Counseling ◽  
Major Drawback ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: There is a paucity of data on the prevalence of smoking among physicians. As physicians are on the front line caring for patients’ health, a detailed analysis of their smoking habits and its impact on counseling their patients to quit is warranted. So far, no study in Lebanon has addressed the real prevalence of physicians smoking and its impact on promoting cessation. This study aims to fill this purpose. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted using a web-based self-administered questionnaire was e-mailed to 4037 Lebanese physicians between November 2015 and February 2016. The questionnaire included 11 questions about basic sociodemographic information (age, gender, work province, specialty), smoking habits and attitude towards smoking cessation. SPSS was used for analysis. The main outcome was to calculate the percentage of physicians that smoke,  its relationship to gender and age, and its impact on counseling their patients about smoking cessation. Results: 529 responders were analyzed (13.1% response rate). A high rate of physician ever-smokers was noted at 37% (n=195) whereas the prevalence of current smokers was 13% (n=70).. In addition, there was a difference in the gender of ever-smoking physicians where 47% of males were smokers compared to 20% of females only. Regarding the prevalence of smoking within different specialties, it was noted that 35% (n=74) of internal medicine physicians were ever-smokers compared to approximately 50% (n=51/102) of surgeons. There was a statistically significant difference between former-smokers and current-smokers in regards to how frequently they urge their patients to quit smoking. Conclusion: The high prevalence of smoking among Lebanese physicians is depicted and its negative impact on counseling patients to quit is a serious consequence. This is a major drawback in the fight against tobacco and further awareness may be needed among our future doctors to increase smoking cessation counseling and decrease the burden of smoking in Lebanon and worldwide.

scholarly journals Nutritional and micronutrient status of adolescent schoolgirls in eastern Sudan: A cross-sectional study

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1831
Author(s):  
Hyder M. Mahgoub ◽  
Omar E. Fadlelseed ◽  
Ammar H. Khamis ◽  
Jalal A. Bilal ◽  
Ishag Adam
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Micronutrient Status ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
More Care ◽  
Eastern Sudan

Background: Adolescents, especially girls, are susceptible to malnutrition and their diet must be adequate to support their very rapid growth and development. Currently, there is little published data on the nutritional state amongst adolescent girls in Sudan. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional and micronutrient status of adolescent schoolgirls in eastern Sudan during the period of January-February 2015. Weight and height were measured using standard methods. Haemoglobin and ferritin levels were measured using blood samples, and blood films for malaria and stool samples for Schistosoma mansoni were investigated. Nutritional status was assessed according to the WHO 2006 reference values. Copper and zinc concentrations were measured by atomic absorption. Results: Twenty-five (13.7%) out of 183 girls were stunted. Seventy (38.3%) were thin; 17.5, 9.3 and 11.5% had mild, moderate and severe thinness, respectively. Only 10 (5.5%) and six (3.3%) girls were overweight and obese, respectively. The prevalence of anaemia was 77.0%. While there was no significant difference in the haemoglobin, ferritin, copper levels and thinness; thin children had significantly lower zinc (P=0.007). Conclusions: There is a high rate of stunting, thinness and anaemia among adolescent schoolgirls in eastern Sudan. More care has to be taken in order to provide a better nutrition status in the area.

Smoking Cessation Counseling: Attitude in the Background of Poor Practice Compliance among Palestinian Primary Health Care Physicians: A cross sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beesan Maraqa ◽  
Zaher Nazzal ◽  
Jurouh Jabareen
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Smoking Cessation Counseling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Primary Health

Abstract Background: Health-care systems have primary responsibility for treating tobacco dependence. Despite its proven effectiveness, international studies have shown that provision of smoking cessation advice to patients in primary health care is suboptimal. This study aimed at assessing Palestinian PHC physicians' compliance and attitude towards smoking cessation counseling and their determinants.Methods: the study utilized a cross-sectional study design using a self-reported questionnaire targeted general practitioners, family medicine doctors, obstetrics & gynecologists and dentists working at PHC Centers in Palestine in the period between April to September,2019. Proportionate stratified random sampling method was used. Sociodemograpic, medical experience, if received any training in smoking cessation counseling, smoking history, practice compliance, knowledge, confidence and attitude were assessed. Results: 294 PHC physicians' participated in the study with high response rate. More than a half (53%) were between 31-45 years of age. Most of them (76.5%) were general practitioners seeing more than 30 patients per day (66%) and only 15% (n=40) get training about smoking cessation counseling. Practice compliance was low; only 39 (13.3%) reported compliance to smoking cessation practice. Attitude level among the participant physicians was good as the overall attitude score mean was 75.1 ± 9.6. Positive attitude, assigned as any score ≥65, was observed in 87.7% (n=258) of physicians. Job title, experience and knowledge are predictors of positive attitude towards smoking cessation counseling.Conclusion: Building supportive environment, improving physicians’ capabilities will reflect on their self-efficacy and their con­fidence level and will improve their practice in smoking cessation counseling.

scholarly journals The Consequences of COVID-19-Related Anxiety on Children’s Health: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhad Nosrati Nejad ◽  
Fateme Adelinejad ◽  
arash ziapour ◽  
Majid Golzarpour ◽  
Seyyed Amar Azizi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Children's Health ◽  
Children’S Health ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Housing Status ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a worldwide health catastrophe. Anxiety caused by COVID-19 has had a negative impact on people's physical and mental health. According to the findings of the research, significant emphasis has been devoted to measures linked to the identification of persons with coronavirus infection, but the identification of the affected individuals' mental health issues has been overlooked. Despite study data indicating an increase in fear and anxiety in patients with coronavirus and others, little research on COVID-19-related cardiac disease has been conducted so far.Methods: This cross-sectional study used a survey method with a chosen self-reported questionnaire for data collection from Mashhad residents. The research sample included 435 households with children aged 5 to 18. The data was analyzed using SPSS software version 25 and comprised two measures, (1) the Coronary Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) and (2) the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) developed by Landgraf and Abets. The findings indicated that COVID-19-related anxiety has a detrimental influence on children's health. According to the data, 19% of the children’s variance showed negative effects on health ( β= -0.625, Sig = 0.001, Adj.R2 = 0.193).Results: The findings revealed a significant difference in children's health mean scores related to forms of insurance coverage, parents' education level, housing status, and COVID-19-associated anxiety. Children's anxiety levels have increased, causing harm to their health and a reduction in their health status.Conclusion: The outcomes of the study will help health professionals and governments establish appropriate protective measures to address this worldwide health problem.

scholarly journals Unemployment and vulnerable financial situation among recent dental graduates of Kerala, India - Results from a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malu Mohan ◽  
T K Sundari Ravindran
Keyword(s):  
Employment Status ◽  
Educational Institution ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Financial Situation ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective: This study aims to examine the current employment characteristics and financial situation of recent dental graduates of Kerala, India, in the context of a drastic rise in the number of dental graduates in the state over the past two decades, following a policy change in dental education at the dawn of the 21st century. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 recent dental graduates selected using circular systematic random sampling from a sampling frame of all dental graduates who graduated in any dental college in Kerala between April 2014 and February 2018 and who have registered at the Kerala State Dental Council. Results: More than two-thirds of the participants were females. Graduates trained from private dental colleges formed the majority. A significant proportion was currently unemployed (27%). The private sector was the predominant employment avenue for the dental graduates (90.9%). A notable proportion of the study participants did not have a regular income (32.1%). The current employment status of the graduates showed a statistically significant difference in proportions according to gender, type of educational institution, and the employment status of the graduates’ male parents. There were significant differences in the current financial situation according to gender, caste, and training background. Conclusion: The study reveals the existence of a high rate of unemployment among the recent dental graduates of Kerala. Their financial situation is indicative of vulnerability and dependent status. These findings have major policy implications for dental training and regulation of dental profession in the country.

scholarly journals Smoking cessation counseling: Attitude in the background of poor practice compliance among Palestinian primary health care physicians: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Beesan Maraqa ◽  
Zaher Nazzal ◽  
Jurouh Jabareen ◽  
Kamal Al-Shakhra
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Smoking Cessation Counseling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Primary Health

Objectives: Healthcare systems have primary responsibility for treating tobacco dependence. Despite its proven effectiveness, international studies have shown that smoking cessation advice to patients in primary health care is suboptimal. This study aimed at assessing Palestinian PHC physicians’ compliance and attitude towards smoking cessation counseling and their determinants.Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional study design using a self-reported questionnaire targeted general practitioners, family medicine doctors, obstetrics & gynecologists, and dentists working at PHC Centers in Palestine from April to September 2019. A proportional stratified random sampling method was used. Socio-demographic, medical experience, if received any training in smoking cessation counseling, smoking history, practice compliance, knowledge, confidence, and attitude, were assessed.Results: Two-hundred ninety-four PHC physicians participated in the study with a high response rate. More than half (53%) were between 31-45 years of age. Most of them (76.5%) were general practitioners seeing more than 30 patients per day (66%), and only 15% (n = 40) get training about smoking cessation counseling. Practice compliance was low; only 39 (13.3%) reported adherence to smoking cessation practice. The participant physicians’ attitude level was good as the overall attitude score mean 75.1 ± 9.6. A positive attitude, assigned as any score ≥ 65, was observed in 87.7% (n = 258) of physicians. Job title, experience, and knowledge are predictors of a positive attitude towards smoking cessation counseling.Conclusions: Building a supportive environment, improving physicians’ capabilities will reflect on their self-efficacy and their confidence level and enhance their practice in smoking cessation counseling.

Tobacco Use, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Perception About Smoking Cessation Counseling Among Brazilian Dental Students: a Cross-Sectional Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augusto César Leal da Silva Leonel ◽  
Paulo Rogério Ferreti Bonan ◽  
Jurema Freire Lisboa de Castro ◽  
Andréa dos Anjos Pontual ◽  
Flávia Maria de Moraes Ramos-Perez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Smoking Cessation Counseling ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Preoperative smoking cessation counseling activities of anesthesiologists: a cross-sectional study

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matilde Zaballos ◽  
Maria Iluminada Canal ◽  
Rocío Martínez ◽  
Maria José Membrillo ◽  
Francisco J Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Smoking Cessation Counseling ◽  
Cross Sectional

scholarly journals Comparison of predicted psychological distress among workers between artificial intelligence and psychiatrists: a cross-sectional study in Tsukuba Science City, Japan

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e046265
Author(s):  
Shotaro Doki ◽  
Shinichiro Sasahara ◽  
Daisuke Hori ◽  
Yuichi Oi ◽  
Tsukasa Takahashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
The Neural Network ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Total Data

ObjectivesPsychological distress is a worldwide problem and a serious problem that needs to be addressed in the field of occupational health. This study aimed to use artificial intelligence (AI) to predict psychological distress among workers using sociodemographic, lifestyle and sleep factors, not subjective information such as mood and emotion, and to examine the performance of the AI models through a comparison with psychiatrists.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingWe conducted a survey on psychological distress and living conditions among workers. An AI model for predicting psychological distress was created and then the results were compared in terms of accuracy with predictions made by psychiatrists.ParticipantsAn AI model of the neural network and six psychiatrists.Primary outcomeThe accuracies of the AI model and psychiatrists for predicting psychological distress.MethodsIn total, data from 7251 workers were analysed to predict moderate and severe psychological distress. An AI model of the neural network was created and accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Six psychiatrists used the same data as the AI model to predict psychological distress and conduct a comparison with the AI model.ResultsThe accuracies of the AI model and psychiatrists for predicting moderate psychological distress were 65.2% and 64.4%, respectively, showing no significant difference. The accuracies of the AI model and psychiatrists for predicting severe psychological distress were 89.9% and 85.5%, respectively, indicating that the AI model had significantly higher accuracy.ConclusionsA machine learning model was successfully developed to screen workers with depressed mood. The explanatory variables used for the predictions did not directly ask about mood. Therefore, this newly developed model appears to be able to predict psychological distress among workers easily, regardless of their subjective views.

scholarly journals Genetic Variants in Smoking-Related Genes in Two Smoking Cessation Programs: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6597
Author(s):  
Gloria Pérez-Rubio ◽  
Luis Alberto López-Flores ◽  
Ana Paula Cupertino ◽  
Francisco Cartujano-Barrera ◽  
Luz Myriam Reynales-Shigematsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Genotype Frequencies ◽  
Quitting Smoking ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Genomic Regions

Previous studies have identified variants in genes encoding proteins associated with the degree of addiction, smoking onset, and cessation. We aimed to describe thirty-one single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in seven candidate genomic regions spanning six genes associated with tobacco-smoking in a cross-sectional study from two different interventions for quitting smoking: (1) thirty-eight smokers were recruited via multimedia to participate in e-Decídete! program (e-Dec) and (2) ninety-four attended an institutional smoking cessation program on-site. SNPs genotyping was done by real-time PCR using TaqMan probes. The analysis of alleles and genotypes was carried out using the EpiInfo v7. on-site subjects had more years smoking and tobacco index than e-Dec smokers (p < 0.05, both); in CYP2A6 we found differences in the rs28399433 (p < 0.01), the e-Dec group had a higher frequency of TT genotype (0.78 vs. 0.35), and TG genotype frequency was higher in the on-site group (0.63 vs. 0.18), same as GG genotype (0.03 vs. 0.02). Moreover, three SNPs in NRXN1, two in CHRNA3, and two in CHRNA5 had differences in genotype frequencies (p < 0.01). Cigarettes per day were different (p < 0.05) in the metabolizer classification by CYP2A6 alleles. In conclusion, subjects attending a mobile smoking cessation intervention smoked fewer cigarettes per day, by fewer years, and by fewer cumulative pack-years. There were differences in the genotype frequencies of SNPs in genes related to nicotine metabolism and nicotine dependence. Slow metabolizers smoked more cigarettes per day than intermediate and normal metabolizers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document