Primary care physicians' attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers toward depression screening in older people in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers of primary care physicians (PCPs) toward depression screening in older people.

Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled PCPs from randomly selected representative primary care centers in Bahrain. A self-administered piloted semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection.

Healthcare personnel acceptance and recommendations for influenza vaccine in twelve low- and middle-income countries: A pooled analysis from 2018 to 2020.

Background: Although healthcare personnel (HCP) are targeted for influenza vaccination they typically underutilize vaccines especially in low- and middle-income countries. We explored knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HCP about seasonal influenza vaccines (SIV) to identify factors associated with and modifiable barriers to SIV uptake.

Methods: We pooled individual-level data from cross-sectional surveys about SIV conducted among health workers in 12 low- and middle- income countries during 2018-2020 (i.

Implementation and evaluation of a mentorship program in clinical master in family medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Arabian Gulf University: a longitudinal study.

Background: We implemented a contextualized innovative mentorship program in the Clinical Master in Family Medicine (CMFM) program established in April 2020 at Arabian Gulf University. In this paper, we describe the process of this program and derive the major challenges faced by trainees and related corrective actions and their outcomes on high-risk trainees for optimal performance.

Methods: We conducted a mixed-method longitudinal study of 80 trainees, analyzing information extracted from the Moodle learning platform about five key performance indicators as well as the contents (quantitative and qualitative) of mentoring meeting reports submitted through a validated online form between 2020 and 2022.

Comparison of the clinical features and outcomes of severe seasonal influenza and COVID-19 patients in Tunisia between 2021 and 2022.

Background: We compared patients diagnosed at a SARI (severe acute respiratory infections) surveillance site with COVID-19 and those with seasonal influenza to investigate the clinical differences, common features, and outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Abderrahman Mami Hospital between September 2021 and April 2022. Demographic, clinical, and biological data as well as outcomes were recorded for all patients.

Epidemiology and burden of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective sentinel surveillance study in a Tunisian Medical ICU, 2022/2023.

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) caused by influenza and other respiratory viruses pose significant global health challenges, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further strained healthcare systems. As the focus shifts from the pandemic to other respiratory infections, assessing the epidemiology and burden of SARI is crucial for healthcare planning and resource allocation. Aim: to understand the impact of the post-pandemic period on the epidemiology of SARI cases, clinical outcomes, and healthcare resource utilization in Tunisia.

A Prospective cohort study of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in tunisia: Clinical and Immunological features and immune correlates of protection.

Background: This study aimed to define immunological markers of exposure to L. major parasites and identify correlates of protection against infection.

Methods: We analyzed a cohort of 790 individuals at risk of developing ZCL living in endemic areas with varying L.

Telemedicine in non-communicable chronic diseases care during the COVID-19 pandemic: exploring patients' perspectives.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore challenges facing patients using Telemedicine consultations in non-communicable chronic disease clinics in primary care settings and to evaluate their satisfaction and willingness to use this service in the future.

Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study enrolling participants who were randomly selected from representative primary care centers in Bahrain and providing Telemedicine consultations. A semi-structured questionnaire permitted data collection using telephone interviews.

Super-spreading social events for COVID-19 transmission: evidence from the investigation of six early clusters in Bahrain.

Introduction: This study aimed to characterize six early clusters of COVID-19 and derive key transmission parameters from confirmed cases that were traced between April and June 2020 in Bahrain.

Methods: Pairs of "infector-infectee" allowed us to map the clusters and estimate the incubation period serial interval as the secondary attack rate. The chi-squared test, with a -value computed using the Monte Carlo test, measured associations between categorical variables.

Validity and reliability of the WHOQOL-BREF in the measurement of the quality of life of Sickle disease patients in Bahrain.

Background: Limited attention is devoted to the improvement of the quality of life of patients suffering from the negative consequences of Sickle cell disease (SCD). Our study focuses on the evaluation of the performance of the WHOQOL-BREF as a tool to measure the quality of life of SCD Patients in Bahrain.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that enrolled 273 SCD patients selected using a simple random sampling technique from primary health-care centers in Bahrain in 2019.

Predictors of Severity of Influenza-Related Hospitalizations: Results From the Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network (GIHSN).

Background: The Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network (GIHSN) has since 2012 provided patient-level data on severe influenza-like-illnesses from >100 participating clinical sites worldwide based on a core protocol and consistent case definitions.

Methods: We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the risk of intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital death among hospitalized patients with influenza and explored the role of patient-level covariates and country income level.

Results: The data set included 73 121 patients hospitalized with respiratory illness in 22 countries, including 15 660 with laboratory-confirmed influenza.

Outbreak Investigation of Typhoid Fever in the District of Gabes, South of Tunisia.

Typhoid fever is a significant public health concern in many parts of the world, particularly in developing countries with poor sanitation and hygiene conditions. In July 2016, an outbreak of typhoid fever occurred in Ghannouche, located in the south of Tunisia. This paper reports the results of a field investigation undertaken to identify possible transmission pathways and risk factors in order to propose control and preventive measures.

Insomnia and Related Factors During the Delta Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of insomnia and related risk factors during the Delta wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study included 646 individuals from the general population aged 18 years and over, living in the Kingdom of Bahrain during the Delta wave of the pandemic. Data were collected by an anonymous online questionnaire using the snowball-sampling technique between June and August 2021.

Healed Lesions of Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused By Do Not Shelter Persistent Residual Parasites.

In human cutaneous leishmaniasis (HCL) caused by () , the cutaneous lesions heal spontaneously and induce a Th1-type immunity that confers solid protection against reinfection. The same holds true for the experimental leishmaniasis induced by in C57BL/6 mice where residual parasites persist after spontaneous clinical cure and induce sustainable memory immune responses and resistance to reinfection. Whether residual parasites also persist in scars of cured HCL caused by is still unknown.

First Report of Two Rodents as Potential Reservoir Hosts of Parasites in Tunisia.

This study shows, for the first time, natural infection among spp. in an endemic region of Tataouine, South Tunisia. To better characterize the transmission cycles in this complex focus of mixed transmission, detection and species identification were performed by direct examination, internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS1)-PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and sequencing of (.

Evaluation of the Utility of Online Objective Structured Clinical Examination Conducted During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to profound restrictions on the face-to-face learning and assessment in all educational institutions, particularly the medical schools. The College of Medicine and Medical Sciences of the Arabian Gulf University (CMMS-AGU) conducted the final exams, both theoretical and clinical components, for its MD students online. This study was conducted to evaluate the utility of online clinical exams held at CMMS-AGU.

Intra-Specific Diversity of Isolates: A Key Determinant of Tunisian Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Clinical Polymorphism.

The clinical expression of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by () parasites has a broad spectrum ranging from asymptomatic infection to self-limited cutaneous sores or severe disease. In concert with the host immune responses, the vector variability and the number of bites, genetic variation between isolates might impact on the clinical output of the disease. We investigated herein the intra-specific variability of field isolates independently of host or vector factors and then tried to correlate parasite variability to ZCL severity in corresponding patients.

Evaluation of the Taxonomic Status of Lesser Egyptian Jerboa, : First Description of New Phylogroups in Tunisia.

The taxonomy of the Lesser Egyptian jerboa, (.) (Dipodinae subfamily), was recently reevaluated, and the taxonomic status was defined by the presence of two cryptic species, . (Linnaeus 1758) and .

Knowledge attitudes and practices toward seasonal influenza vaccine among pregnant women during the 2018/2019 influenza season in Tunisia.

Background: The uptake and acceptance of the influenza vaccine (IV) among pregnant women remain unknown in Tunisia despite the increased influenza-related complications and death. The present study aimed to assess the IV uptake and acceptability and to describe related knowledge and attitudes among pregnant women in Tunisia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 84 Tunisian healthcare facilities over a period of three months (from March to May 2019).

Influenza vaccination knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Tunisian elderly with chronic diseases.

Background: Generally, seasonal influenza does not cause severe infection in healthy adults, but for the elderly, an infection can pose a serious health concern. Although several measures can help prevent influenza, vaccination is considered the most effective. This study aimed to assess influenza vaccine uptake among elderly with chronic diseases in Tunisia during the 2018-2019 influenza season, and to identify knowledge, attitudes and barriers associated with influenza vaccine uptake.

Knowledge, attitudes and uptake related to influenza vaccine among healthcare workers during the 2018-2019 influenza season in Tunisia.

Background: The influenza vaccine (IV) is considered the most effective strategy to prevent seasonal influenza infection and annual vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended by the World Health Organization given their high mixing with patients. We assessed IV uptake among HCWs in the 2018-2019 season and explored their knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza immunization.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 150 representative Tunisian health facilities from March to May 2019.

Professor Mohamed Soussi Soltani: Leader, Innovator and Researcher in Public Health.

Mohamed Soussi SOLTANI (June 27, 1953 - March 2, 2016) is Professor of Preventive and Community Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of Monastir (Tunisia). The objective of this paper is to present, to new generations of the specialty in the Greater Maghreb, this leading teacher from the Center-East of Tunisia (Monastir), through the testimonies of his companions, and his indexed publications. All the colleagues of the late SOLTANI testified to his high human and professional qualities, particularly perseverance, commitment, forward thinking, integrity and professionalism.

Psycho-social impacts, experiences and perspectives of patients with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis regarding treatment options and case management: An exploratory qualitative study in Tunisia.

Although non-fatal and mostly self-healing in the case of Leishmania (L.) major, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is mainly treated to reduce lesion healing time. Less attention is paid to the improvement of scars, especially in aesthetically relevant areas of the body, which can dramatically affect patients' wellbeing.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus infection in Central-West of Tunisia.

Hepatitis A infections still represent a major global health concern. During the past years, a transition pattern of the hepatitis A epidemiology was noted in many parts of the world. In Tunisia, there is not a recent survey on age-specific hepatitis A virus seroprevalence.