Prevalence and Predictors of Thirst in Patients With Heart Failure.

Background: Thirst is among the most unpleasant symptoms in patients with heart failure (HF). Intense thirst can lead to uncontrolled fluid intake, resulting in congestion and frequent readmissions. Many predictors of thirst were identified, but little research addressed its association with salt intake.

Country-specific key lifestyle factors and health outcomes for resource allocation in the general population: a network analysis across 29 countries.

Background: We aimed to identify the central lifestyle, the most impactful among lifestyle factor clusters; the central health outcome, the most impactful among health outcome clusters; and the bridge lifestyle, the most strongly connected to health outcome clusters, across 29 countries to optimise resource allocation for local holistic health improvements.

Methods: From July 2020 to August 2021, we surveyed 16 461 adults across 29 countries who self-reported changes in 18 lifestyle factors and 13 health outcomes due to the pandemic. Three networks were generated by network analysis for each country: lifestyle, health outcome, and bridge networks.

Psychometric evaluation of the Arabic version of the heart failure-specific health literacy scale in a socio-politically challenged setting.

Introduction: Low levels of formal education among Lebanese people with HF were reported. Additionally, limited discharge education is provided to this population. Therefore, it was necessary to evaluate the health literacy levels among this population following the translation of the heart failure-specific health literacy scale into Arabic and to evaluate its psychometric properties in the Lebanese setting.

Key lifestyles and health outcomes across 16 prevalent chronic diseases: A network analysis of an international observational study.

Background: Central and bridge nodes can drive significant overall improvements within their respective networks. We aimed to identify them in 16 prevalent chronic diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to guide effective intervention strategies and appropriate resource allocation for most significant holistic lifestyle and health improvements.

Methods: We surveyed 16 512 adults from July 2020 to August 2021 in 30 territories.

Effect of psychosocial aspects on medication adherence in patients with heart failure amid socioeconomic challenges.

Objective: To evaluate stress, depression and quality of life among community-dwelling patients with heart failure (HF) and evaluate their effect on perceived medication adherence in a socioeconomically challenged setting.

Design: A cross-sectional design with self-administered questionnaire with data collected between October 2021 and September 2022.

Methods: Patients with confirmed diagnosis of HF were sought for data collection in the community and cardiology clinics through an electronic platform.

Key lifestyles and interim health outcomes for effective interventions in general populations: A network analysis of a large international observational study.

Background: The interconnected nature of lifestyles and interim health outcomes implies the presence of the central lifestyle, central interim health outcome and bridge lifestyle, which are yet to be determined. Modifying these factors holds immense potential for substantial positive changes across all aspects of health and lifestyles. We aimed to identify these factors from a pool of 18 lifestyle factors and 13 interim health outcomes while investigating potential gender and occupation differences.

Global impacts of COVID-19 on lifestyles and health and preparation preferences: An international survey of 30 countries.

Background: The health area being greatest impacted by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and residents' perspective to better prepare for future pandemic remain unknown. We aimed to assess and make cross-country and cross-region comparisons of the global impacts of COVID-19 and preparation preferences of pandemic.

Methods: We recruited adults in 30 countries covering all World Health Organization (WHO) regions from July 2020 to August 2021.

Follow up from the Lebanese Heart Failure Snapshot: Reflection of geopolitical instability.

Background: Heart failure has a great cost on the health care system. The readmission and mortality rates and their predictors are greatly affected by political and sociocultural unrests.

Aims: To determine the readmission and mortality rates and their predictors in heart failure population in times of political and sociocultural unrests.

A multi-centric study on validation of the Fear Scale for COVID-19 in five Arabic speaking countries.

Background: The Eight-item Fear Scale is a unidimensional scale evaluating the perceived feelings of fear associated with the thought of the coronavirus.

Aim: The Arabic version of this scale did not exist; hence, this study aimed to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Fear Scale in participants aged 18 years and above in five Arabic countries: Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan by using a cross-sectional survey design.

Method: The English version of the COVID-19 Fear Scale was translated into Arabic following the guidelines and disseminated through social media.

A single educational intervention on heart failure self-care: Extended follow-up from a multisite randomized controlled trial.

Background: Heart failure outcomes remain poor, and little is known about the causes and predictors of these outcomes in Lebanon.

Aim: The purpose of this article is to report the causes and predictors of the 6- and 12-month readmission and mortality of previously recruited patients to the Family focused Approach to iMprove Heart Failure care In LebanonQualitY intervention (FAMILY) study.

Methods: A multi-site block randomized controlled trial in three tertiary medical centers in Beirut.

The Lebanese Heart Failure Snapshot: A National Presentation of Acute Heart Failure Admissions.

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective evaluation is to document in-hospital management and discharge trends of patients presented for acute heart failure.

Design: A prospective evaluation of the patients presented for heart failure exacerbation at eight sites over 1 month using the method of the New South Wales Heart Failure Snapshot.

Methods: Trained personnel situated at each of the study sites recruited eligible patients to the study and collected data on their sociodemographic characteristics, clinical presentation, self-care, frailty, and depression.

Literacy critical to heart failure management: a scoping review.

Heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome most commonly encountered among older adults. This complex clinical syndrome is associated with poor health outcomes such as frequent admissions and mortality. These adverse outcomes are commonly associated with poor self-care and lower health literacy.

A mapping of nursing and midwifery research in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2006-2016.

Background: Nurses and midwives constitute the largest group of health care professionals globally. Challenges to these professions make it difficult to set regional priorities for policies and research development.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to map current nursing and midwifery research in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

An evaluation of involving family caregivers in the self-care of heart failure patients on hospital readmission: Randomised controlled trial (the FAMILY study).

Background: The prevalence of heart failure is increasing in Lebanon but to date there is no systematic evaluation of a disease management intervention.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of involving family caregivers in the self-care of patients with heart failure on the risk of hospital readmission.

Design: A multi-site, block randomised controlled trial.

Translation and validation of the Arabic version of the Self-care of Heart Failure Index.

Background Heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome with high demands for self-care. The Self-care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) was developed to measure self-care and has demonstrated robust psychometric properties across populations. Aim To assess the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the SCHFI (A-SCHFI).

Protocol for a block randomised controlled trial of an intervention to improve heart failure care.

Aim: To describe the design of a randomised controlled trial conducted to evaluate a culturally tailored, nurse-led educational intervention.

Background: Self-care strategies are critical to improving health outcomes in heart failure. The family unit is crucial in collectivist cultures, but little is known about involving the family in the self-care of patients with heart failure.

Family-centred approaches to healthcare interventions in chronic diseases in adults: a quantitative systematic review.

Background: Increasingly there is a focus on self-care strategies for both malignant and non-malignant conditions. Models of self-care interventions have focussed on the individual and less on the broader context of family and society. In many societies, decision-making and health seeking behaviours, involve family members.

Heart health in Lebanon and considerations for addressing the burden of cardiovascular disease.

Introduction: Lebanon is a small country located at the western boundary of the Middle East. Approximately 40% of health care in Lebanon is financed by the public sector. Cardiovascular diseases in Lebanon are scarcely addressed in the literature raising the need for baseline data on these health condition to be better treated.

A family-focused intervention for heart failure self-care: conceptual underpinnings of a culturally appropriate intervention.

Aim: A discussion of the conceptual elements of an intervention tailored to the needs of Lebanese families.

Background: The role of informal caregiving is strongly recommended for individuals with chronic conditions including heart failure. Although this importance is recognized, conceptual and theoretical underpinnings are not well elucidated nor are methods of intervention implementation.

Small group learning: Graduate health students' views of challenges and benefits.

Unlabelled: Abstract Background: For health-care professionals, particularly nurses, the need to work productively and efficiently in small groups is a crucial skill required to meet the challenges of the contemporary health-care environment. Small group work is an educational technique that is used extensively in nurse education. The advantage of group work includes facilitation of deep, active and collaborative learning.

Small group learning: graduate health students' views of challenges and benefits.

Abstract Background: For health care professionals, particularly nurses, the need to work productively and efficiently in small groups is a crucial skill required to meet the challenges of the contemporary health-care environment. Small group work is an educational technique that is used extensively in nurse education. The advantage of group work includes facilitation of deep, active and collaborative learning.

Pneumococcus in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders: the role of Aboriginal Health Workers and implications for nursing practice.

Abstract Background: Pneumonia is a common cause of hospitalization in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women. Aim: This article seeks to describe the importance of immunizing against pneumonia in Aboriginal Australians and suggest strategies for screening and follow-up. Method: An integrative literature review, using both published and grey literature was undertaken to identify methods of screening and surveillance strategies for pneumococcus.

Contrast media induced nephropathy: a literature review of the available evidence and recommendations for practice.

Background: Contrast media induced nephropathy (CIN) is a sudden compromise of renal function 24-48 h after administering contrast medium during a CT scan or angiography. CIN accounts for 10% of hospital acquired renal failure and is ranked the third cause of acquiring this condition. Identifying patients at risk through proper screening can reduce the occurrence of this condition.