Risk factors associated with multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections: a multicenter observational study in Lebanese hospitals.

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a significant global public health burden, especially in low-income countries and regions with fragile healthcare infrastructures, due to its ability to cause severe infections, increase mortality rates, and its rising antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae infections and identify associated risk factors.

Congenital adhesion band: A rare case in a neonate.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal system may be congenital or acquired. Intestinal obstruction is common in children and neonates, and it has various causes. Obstructions due to congenital adhesion bands are rare.

Acinetobacter baumannii: assessing susceptibility patterns, management practices, and mortality predictors in a tertiary teaching hospital in Lebanon.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is a major nosocomial pathogen capable of causing life-threatening infections. This bacterium is highly resistant to antibiotics and associated with high mortality rates. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate A.

The prevalence of Carbapenem Resistance Gram negative pathogens in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Jordan.

Background: With the absence of new antimicrobial drugs being developed to replace those facing resistance, bacterial resistance continues to grow. Despite previous studies conducted in various countries, there is a lack of comprehensive local reporting on the occurrence of carbapenem resistance among gram-negative bacteria.

Objective: This study aims to identify the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacterial isolates.

Nomophobia among university students in five Arab countries in the Middle East: prevalence and risk factors.

Background: Excessive use of mobile phones leading to development of symptoms suggestive of dependence syndrome with teenagers are far more likely to become dependent on mobile phones as compared to adults. COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the mental health of several groups in society, especially university students. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of mobile phone dependence among university students and its associated factors.

Oral contraceptive pills shortage in Lebanon amidst the economic collapse: a nationwide exploratory study.

Background: The political instability, economic crisis, and devaluation of the national currency left Lebanese females suffering from a scarcity of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs). Therefore, we aimed to identify the incidence of OCPs shortage in Lebanon and its impact on women's sexual and reproductive health, as well as physical and psychological well-being.

Methods: Community pharmacies were selected randomly across Lebanon, using a stratified sampling approach, where female clients asking for OCPs were interviewed using a standardized data collection form.

Upscaling the pharmacy profession: Knowledge and willingness of the Lebanese pharmacists to practice the administration of dermal fillers.

Background: The rapid global development of the pharmacy profession has led pharmacists to enter the cosmetic industry by administering injectable dermal fillers (DFs) to those in need. However, there is no clear indication that the Lebanese pharmacists are familiar with these procedures or are willing to do so.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the Lebanese community pharmacists' knowledge about DFs and their willingness to administer them.

Home delivery of medications: Community pharmacists' perspectives on the pros and cons of the service.

Objectives: The main goal of the current study was to investigate pharmacists' perception of home delivery of medications service in Jordan and their willingness to use the service.

Method: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted between March and April 2022. The study targeted community pharmacists working at different community pharmacies across Jordan.

A nationwide assessment of community pharmacists' attitudes towards dispensing errors: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Dispensing errors (DEs) are common causes of preventable harm to patients. Interestingly, very little is known about their prevalence and types in the community pharmacy setting in Lebanon due to the lack of an effective reporting system. Therefore, this study aims to explore the perceptions of community pharmacists about the types of these errors in Lebanon, the factors behind their occurrence, the reasons for underreporting, and the current practices for reducing them.

Public Perceptions About Home Delivery of Medication Service and Factors Associated with the Utilization of This Service.

Introduction: Home medication delivery service is a major service for the public. It reduces overcrowding and unnecessary visits to health centers. This study aims to investigate the public perception of home delivery of medication service in Jordan and evaluate factors affecting the use of this service.

Evaluation of Drug Use Pattern in Pediatric Outpatient Clinics in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital Using WHO Drug-Prescribing Indicators.

Purpose: The main aim of the study is to assess physicians' prescribing patterns using the World Health Organization (WHO) prescribing indicators among pediatric outpatient clinics, and to identify areas in need of intervention regarding the rational use of medicines among pediatric outpatients in Jordan.

Methods: This is a descriptive observational cross-sectional study that was conducted at the outpatient pediatric clinics at Jordan University Hospital (JUH). During the study period, prescriptions were collected over a period of two months.

Diverging levels of COVID-19 governmental response satisfaction across middle eastern Arab countries: a multinational study.

Background: Public acceptance of governmental measures are key to controlling the spread of infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on healthcare systems for high-income countries as well as low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The ability of LMICs to respond to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic has been limited and may have affected the impact of governmental strategies to control the spread of COVID-19.

Assessing the pharmaceutical care provision to suspected COVID-19 patients in community pharmacies: a simulated patient study.

Background: In the wake of COVID-19, community pharmacists (CP) were called upon to free up healthcare providers to treat more serious conditions and alleviate overcrowded healthcare centers. CPs were placed under tremendous pressure, where many patients primarily sought their health advice. This situation raised concerns about the preparedness of CPs in facing these challenges.

Primary Dysmenorrhea: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Updates.

Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is a common, disregarded, underdiagnosed, and inadequately treated complaint of both young and adult females. It is characterized by painful cramps in the lower abdomen, which start shortly before or at the onset of menses and which could last for 3 days. In particular, PD negatively impacts the quality of life (QOL) of young females and is the main reason behind their absenteeism from school or work.

Dietary supplements intake during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic: A multinational Middle Eastern study.

Introduction: Despite the controversy about the benefits of dietary supplements in treating or preventing COVID-19, their use has increased worldwide even with the introduction of relevant vaccines. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the perception of the Middle Eastern Arab public of dietary supplements as prophylactic or therapeutic agents against COVID-19, and their consumption during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A validated, pilot tested online survey was distributed through social networking platforms in Lebanon, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates.

Coronavirus disease patients' views and experiences of pharmaceutical care services in Lebanon.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the experiences and views of domiciliary coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients towards pharmaceutical care services provided during their infection.

Methods: This was a single-centred observational study conducted among home-treated COVID-19 patients (n = 500), who were tested positive for COVID-19 in a medical centre in Lebanon.

Key Findings: Out of the 500 home-treated COVID-19 patients invited to participate in the study, 279 patients completed the questionnaire.

Prevalence, risk factors, and management practices of primary dysmenorrhea among young females.

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is one of the most common gynecological conditions among young females, which has a significant negative impact on health-related quality of life and productivity. Despite its high prevalence, the evidence is limited regarding the management-seeking practices and its perceived effectiveness among females with PD.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 550 female students in six universities across Lebanon.

Provision of pharmaceutical care to suspected high-risk COVID-19 patients through telehealth: a nationwide simulated patient study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has overburdened the healthcare facilities, which demanded the use of alternative and effective methods for delivering healthcare services. The use of telehealth has become a necessity to provide initial health services.

Objective: To identify the pharmaceutical care provided by community pharmacists to suspected high-risk COVID-19 patients using telehealth.

Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum in Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19: A Case Series with Review of Literature.

Background: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare condition defined by the presence of air in the mediastinum in the absence of traumatic or iatrogenic injury. Although the imaging findings and complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported many times, there are few reports of the prevalence and outcomes of patients with SPM.

Purpose: In this paper, we aimed to illustrate the different manifestations, management, and outcome of three cases of SPM in COVID-19 patients and provide an extensive review available literature.

Exposure of community pharmacists to COVID-19: A multinational cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Community pharmacists (CPs) are among the frontline healthcare providers who have been exposed to a high risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic. Unfortunately, there have been limited studies in the Middle East that provide an occupational risk analysis among CPs. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the risk of COVID-19 exposure among Middle Eastern CPs and to identify the infection predictors.

Willingness of Middle Eastern public to receive COVID-19 vaccines.

Background: COVID-19 is a pacing pandemic that affected health systems, economy, and social life in the whole world. Currently, there is no treatment for it, but the world is in a race that yielded, in a relatively short time than usual, several approved, promising vaccines in the middle of a storm of debates because of the speed of their production and approval.

Objective: This study assessed the willingness of Middle Eastern Arab publics to receive COVID-19 vaccines and investigated the factors behind any reluctance to receive them.

Community pharmacists' preparedness and responses to COVID-19 pandemic: A multinational study.

Background: Community pharmacists play a pivotal role in healthcare worldwide. Their role became more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to investigate the community pharmacists' preparedness and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and how efficiently they were prepared to contain and prevent the spread of infection.