Publications by authors named "Ahmed Nabil Shaaban"
Previous research has suggested an unexpected negative association between smoking and susceptibility to COVID-19. This study, drawing on population-based data from three Nordic countries-Sweden, Norway, and Finland-aims to investigate this association further, capitalizing on diversity introduced by different containment measures. The objective of this research was to examine the association between cigarette smoking and snus (smokeless tobacco) use and the risk of confirmed COVID-19 infection.
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- Smoking significantly reduces the likelihood of individuals receiving COVID-19 vaccine doses, with those who smoke showing a 7% lower risk for two doses and 14% for three doses.
- Smokers and snus users had a notable decrease in vaccine uptake, emphasizing a gap in vaccination efforts among tobacco users.
- Targeting smokers and snus users in public health campaigns could effectively improve COVID-19 vaccination rates in these populations.
Background: Clear evidence of an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection among smokers has not been established. We aimed to investigate associations between cigarette smoking or use of snus (snuff) and other nicotine-containing products and a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, taking test behavior into account.
Methods: Current tobacco use and testing behavior during the pandemic were recorded by adult participants from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study and The Norwegian Influenza Pregnancy Cohort.
Empirical evidence, primarily based on hospital-based or voluntary samples, suggests that current smokers have a lower risk of COVID-19 infection than never smokers. In this study, we used nationally representative data to examine the association between tobacco use and the risk of having a confirmed COVID-19 case. We explored several forms of tobacco use, contributing to separate the role of nicotine from smoking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Self-perceived health is an important indicator of illness and mortality. This study aims at identifying a wide range of factors that can influence self-perceived health status among a representative sample in Portugal.
Methods: We used the 2014 National Health Survey ( = 17,057), whereby participants were required to assess their health status from "Very good," "Good," "Fair," "Poor" to "Very poor.
Introduction: Immigrants carry an extra burden of morbidities and mortalities since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Pre-existing inequalities among immigrants may threaten their economic wellbeing during the pandemic. This study analyzed the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 on immigrants and natives living in Amadora, Metropolitan Region of Lisbon and the extent to which preexisting inequalities had been exacerbated during the pandemic.
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- The study aimed to explore the factors related to chemsex (sex under the influence of drugs) among Portuguese men who have sex with men during COVID-19 social distancing.
- An online survey conducted in May 2020 involved 1,301 participants and utilized various analyses to determine the prevalence and associated factors of chemsex.
- Findings revealed a 20.2% prevalence of chemsex, with increased likelihood linked to group sex, unprotected sex, and the use of PrEP and COVID-19 testing.
Background: This study offers a comprehensive approach to precisely analyze the complexly distributed length of stay among HIV admissions in Portugal.
Objective: To provide an illustration of statistical techniques for analysing count data using longitudinal predictors of length of stay among HIV hospitalizations in Portugal.
Method: Registered discharges in the Portuguese National Health Service (NHS) facilities Between January 2009 and December 2017, a total of 26,505 classified under Major Diagnostic Category (MDC) created for patients with HIV infection, with HIV/AIDS as a main or secondary cause of admission, were used to predict length of stay among HIV hospitalizations in Portugal.
Highly infectious with the possibility of causing severe respiratory complications, the novel COVID-19 began stretching health systems beyond their capacity all over the world and pushing them to breaking points. Giving the devastating effects caused by this infection, unprecedented measures have to be adopted in order to mitigate its impacts on the health system. This perspective aims to review the epidemic of COVID-19 in Portugal, possible areas of improvement, and potential interventions that can help to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on the Portuguese health system.
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- The paper examines the relationship between economic development and life expectancy in Africa, questioning the idea that the "Africa Rising" narrative fully explains health improvements on the continent.
- It finds that while increased health care spending has played a role, factors like urbanization and access to clean water have been more significant in boosting life expectancy over the past two decades.
- The authors argue for more focused investment in health funding and a broader approach to health policies that address various social and economic factors to achieve further health gains.