HPV infection and vaccination: a cross-sectional study of knowledge, perception, and attitude to vaccine uptake among university students in Qatar.

Background: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is a significant public health concern in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, being widely prevalent and the main risk factor for cervical cancer. We aimed to assess knowledge and perception towards HPV, acceptability of the HPV vaccine, and HPV vaccination rates among university students in Education City, Doha, Qatar.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey utilized proportional quota-sampling, with quotas based on university, sex, and nationality, to recruit students from seven universities between February and September 2022.

Assessment of Overweight, Obesity, Central Obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes among Adolescents in Qatar: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Qatar has a high obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) burden. This study aimed to (1) determine the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and T2DM in 13-17-year-old adolescents and (2) evaluate associations with adolescents' lifestyle and breastfeeding history, parental weight, and familial T2DM history. A cross-sectional study (double-stage cluster sampling) was conducted in 2018-2020 using a self-administered parental and adolescent questionnaire.

Physical Activity and Its Barriers and Facilitators among University Students in Qatar: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases worldwide. This study investigated physical activity (PA) level among university students in Qatar and assessed other lifestyle and demographic factors associated with PA. A cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2017 and February 2018.

Dietary patterns and associated lifestyle factors among university students in Qatar.

We aimed to investigate the association between university students' dietary patterns, their demographics and lifestyle in a cross-sectional study in Qatar. 370 students in eight universities in Qatar enrolled between February 2017 and February 2018. Based on a structured questionnaire, dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis, and their associations with student characteristics were assessed using logistic regression.

The harmless acute pancreatitis score (HAPS) identifies non-severe patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: We previously described a scoring system to identify patients with harmless acute pancreatitis as defined by absence of pancreatic necrosis, no need for artificial ventilation or dialysis, and non-fatal course. This scoring system, the Harmless Acute Pancreatitis Score (HAPS), can be quickly calculated from three parameters: absence of abdominal tenderness or rebound, normal hematocrit and normal creatinine level. We aim to assess the positive predictive value (PPV) of the HAPS by performing a meta-analysis of subsequently published studies.

Cancer in Cystic Fibrosis: A Narrative Review of Prevalence, Risk Factors, Screening, and Treatment Challenges: Adult Cystic Fibrosis Series.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive monogenetic disorder that causes persistent pulmonary disease, but also affects other organ systems, including the digestive tract. Recent advances in treatment and care of patients with CF, including the use of new and highly effective CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulators, have led to a dramatic increase in survival. Young patients with CF now can expect to live to or beyond middle age, when cancer is more frequent.

Influence of Age on 2040 Cancer Burden in the Older Population of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries: Public Health Implications.

Introduction And Study Aims: The underlying population of global regions varies widely and is a major determinant of regional cancer differences. The aims were to: (1) estimate the cancer burden in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in 2040 for the ≥70 population and (2) assess the public health implications for this cancer increase.

Methods: We used Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) estimates of cancer incidence and mortality for people aged 70 years or more in GCC countries from 2018 to 2040 from the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Knowledge and Anxiety about COVID-19 in the State of Qatar, and the Middle East and North Africa Region-A Cross Sectional Study.

While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic wreaked havoc across the globe, we have witnessed substantial mis- and disinformation regarding various aspects of the disease. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire for the general public (recruited via social media) and healthcare workers (recruited via email) from the State of Qatar, and the Middle East and North Africa region to understand the knowledge of and anxiety levels around COVID-19 (April-June 2020) during the early stage of the pandemic. The final dataset used for the analysis comprised of 1658 questionnaires (53.

Factors associated with perceived stress in Middle Eastern university students.

University students face high levels of stress-related factors, such as an unfamiliar environment, challenging workload, and uncertainty about their ability to succeed. A total of 370 students in Qatar who consented to participate between February 2017 and February 2018. This cross-sectional study assessed perceived stress [using a validated 4-point perceived stress scale (PSS-4)], as well as diet, exercise, body mass index, sleep, and life satisfaction.

The state of population health research performance in the Middle East and North Africa: a meta-research study.

Background: Population health (PH) research capacity and performance are essential pillars of evidence-based practice to help address health inequalities. Best evidence is provided by systematic reviews (SRs). None of the published bibliometric analysis specifically assess the production of SRs on PH in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Capacity building in health care professions within the Gulf cooperation council countries: paving the way forward.

Background: There is a worldwide shortage of health care workers. This problem is particularly severe in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries because of shortages in certain medical disciplines, due to a lack of nationally-trained professionals and a less developed educational system compared to other high income countries. Consequently, GCC countries are heavily dependent on an expatriate health care workforce; a problem exacerbated by high turnover.

Gender disparities in Zika virus knowledge in a potentially at-risk population from suburban New York City.

Zika virus is an emerging infection transmitted in multiple ways. In 2016 we assessed the level of knowledge about Zika virus transmission in an underserved, predominantly Hispanic, mixed gender population living in suburban New York City, many of whom potentially travel to affected regions. Based on a convenience sample of 147 participants, 134 (91%) were aware of Zika virus transmission by mosquitoes; 116 (79%) knew about transmission from a pregnant female to the fetus; and 89 (61%) were aware of sexual transmission.

Risk Factors for Microvascular Complications of Diabetes in a High-Risk Middle East Population.

Aims: Much of the diabetes burden is caused by its complications. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for diabetic microvascular complications (retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy) in a high-risk population.

Methods: We collected information via a structured questionnaire and directly from the patient's record on 1034 adult type 2 diabetic patients who were attending outpatient clinics in Qatar.

Systematic overview of hepatitis C infection in the Middle East and North Africa.

Aim: To assess the quality of and to critically synthesize the available data on hepatitis C infections in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to map evidence gaps.

Methods: We conducted an overview of systematic reviews (SRs) following an a priori developed protocol (CRD42017076736). Our overview followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines for reporting SRs and abstracts and did not receive any funding.

Cystic Fibrosis Colorectal Cancer Screening Consensus Recommendations.

Background & Aims: Improved therapy has substantially increased survival of persons with cystic fibrosis (CF). But the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in adults with CF is 5-10 times greater compared to the general population, and 25-30 times greater in CF patients after an organ transplantation. To address this risk, the CF Foundation convened a multi-stakeholder task force to develop CRC screening recommendations.