Exploring food safety knowledge and practices in Lebanon.

Background: Lebanon's economic and financial crises have affected the quality-of-life, including food safety and food security.

Aim: To assess food safety knowledge and practices among a sample Lebanese population and the association with the sociodemographic and economic characteristics of participants.

Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data online from 412 Lebanese adults aged ≥ 18 years [mostly female (77.

Food insecurity and lifestyle behaviours in university students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative survey across three countries.

Background: University students, often unemployed and reliant on low-nutrition foods, are susceptible to food insecurity (FI) with potential physical and mental health challenges. This study explores FI and its impact on lifestyle behaviours among university students.

Methods: A cross-sectional web-based study was performed by sending an online questionnaire to university students in Lebanon, Cyprus, and Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Exploring ADHD understanding and stigma: Insights from an online survey in Lebanon.

Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder. Public knowledge of ADHD plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes, reducing stigma, and fostering a supportive environment for individuals with this disease. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and stigma of the general Lebanese population regarding ADHD and identify potential factors associated with these variables.

Assessing the efficacy of an educational video on stroke knowledge in Lebanon: a single-arm interventional study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the public's knowledge of stroke before and after viewing an educational video about stroke risk factors, preventive measures, and alarming signs.

Methods: A single-arm interventional study was conducted in Lebanon using a 3-minute video-based education about stroke. A pre- and post-structured questionnaire compared the level of knowledge about stroke.

Perceived advantages and drawbacks of teleworking during the economic crisis and COVID-19: A cross-sectional study among university degree holders.

This study aimed to identify the perceived advantages and drawbacks of teleworking and their correlates, including health problems, among Lebanese workers holding a university degree. A web-based cross-sectional self-report questionnaire created on Google Forms was used to survey 230 participants through snowball sampling between October 2022 and March 2023. The majority of respondents recognized both the advantages (67.

Evaluating the influence of a 3-min online video on the community knowledge of stroke in four Arab countries.

Introduction: Studies from developed and developing countries showed that the knowledge levels of stroke need improvement. Educational campaigns varied and were of limited influence predominantly because of their short duration and the need for financial support. The study aims to test the impact of a 3-min online video on the knowledge of stroke and factors influencing the knowledge score in four Arab countries.

Knowledge and Awareness of Stroke among the Elderly Population: Analysis of Data from a Sample of Older Adults in a Developing Country.

Stroke prevention has traditionally concentrated on research to improve knowledge and awareness of the disease in the general population. Since stroke incidents increase with age, there is a need to focus on the elderly, a high-risk group for developing the disease. This study aimed to examine the level of stroke awareness and knowledge, their predictors, and their source of information.

Association between alexithymia, emotional intelligence, smoking addiction, and alcohol use disorder among a sample of Lebanese adults.

Background: Alexithymia can be associated with worse addictive traits, while emotional intelligence is associated with better addictive outcomes. In Lebanon, the prevalence of cigarette and waterpipe smoking is on the rise, although people are aware of the associated harms. Also, around 11% of Lebanese adults have experienced alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Adherence to treatment and harmful effects of medication shortages in the context of severe crises: scale validation and correlates.

Background: Medication shortage is a public health problem, affecting patients' outcomes mainly through the difficulty in maintaining adherence, particularly in the context of a severe economic crisis. There is a need for a new scale that assesses the effect of medication shortage on adherence.

Aim: To develop and validate a scale to evaluate the harmful impact of medication shortage among the general Lebanese population and assess its correlates and association with medication adherence.

Opioid use disorder in two samples of the Lebanese population: scale validation and correlation with sleep and mood disorders.

Background: The revised Opioid Risk Tool (ORT-OUD) is a brief, self-report scale designed to provide clinicians with a simple, validated method to screen for the risk of developing an Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in patients without a prior history of substance abuse. This study aimed to translate and validate the Arabic version of ORT-OUD in the Lebanese population and assess its clinical validity in a sample of patients with OUD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study in the Lebanese population used several validated scales to assess the risk of OUD, including the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST).

Assessing and validating the specialized competency framework for pharmacists in sales and marketing (SCF-PSM): a cross-sectional analysis in Lebanon.

Objectives: Competencies refer to the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors individuals develop through education, training, and experience. These competencies can be formulated into a framework to support practitioner development for effective and sustained performance. In the absence of a national framework for pharmacy education and practice in Lebanon, the Order of Pharmacists of Lebanon (OPL, the official association of pharmacists in Lebanon) pioneered the development of a pharmacy competency framework in 2017.

Neurological soft signs and cognition among inpatients with schizophrenia.

Evidence has shown that neurological soft signs are strongly associated with neurocognitive dysfunction. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to assess the association between NSS and cognitive impairments in a sample of inpatients with schizophrenia. The secondary objective was to explore the association between NSS total scores and functioning.

Academic pharmacist competencies in ordinary and emergency situations: content validation and pilot description in Lebanese academia.

Background: In the absence of a similar study in the Lebanese context, this study aimed to validate the content of the specialized competencies frameworks of academic pharmacists (educators, researchers, and clinical preceptors) and pilot their use for practice assessment in the context of multiple severe crises.

Methods: A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2022 among academic pharmacists enrolled by snowball sampling using a questionnaire created on Google Forms.

Results: The suggested frameworks had appropriate content to assess the competencies of academic pharmacists.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Lebanese university students related to sexually transmitted diseases: a cross-sectional study.

Aim: To appraise Lebanese university students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in March and April 2020. A total of 402 students (67.

Development and validation of the Socioeconomic Status Composite Scale (SES-C).

Background: Socioeconomic status (SES) is a critical multifactorial determinant of health and plays a significant role in shaping an individual's health outcomes. While a composite scale has been proposed to measure SES in children, to our knowledge, limited composite scales were developed for adults in different contexts, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and valid SES measure to elucidate the relationship between SES and health in this population.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a composite scale that measures the socioeconomic status in Lebanon and assess its correlates in a socioeconomic crisis context.

The specialized competency framework for industry pharmacists (SCF-IP): validation and pilot assessment.

Objectives: This study aimed to validate a specialized competency framework for industry pharmacists and assess correlates related to the competency domains in a pilot sample.

Methods: A team of experts assessed the old framework and improved its content validity after a thorough literature review, using the Delphi technique. Domains and their respective competencies and behaviors were re-defined in the framework.

Caring for a Mentally Ill Patient at Home, Mental Health, Religiosity, and Spirituality and Their Association With Family Caregivers' Quality of Life in Lebanon.

To evaluate the effect of depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, work fatigue, religiosity, and spirituality on quality of life (QOL) among family caregivers of people with mental Illness and those who care for family members without mental illness. A case-control study was conducted between July and September 2019 that enrolled 600 caregivers using a proportionate sample from all Lebanese governorates. Participants completed a 2-part questionnaire.

Validation of the specialized competency framework for pharmacists in hospital settings (SCF-PHS): a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study aimed to validate the content of the specialized competency frameworks for pharmacists working in hospital settings (hospital and clinical pharmacists) and pilot the frameworks for practice assessment.

Methods: This online cross-sectional study was carried out between March and October 2022 among a sample of 96 Lebanese pharmacists working in hospital settings. The frameworks were distributed to full-time hospital and clinical pharmacists, who filled them out according to their role in the hospital.

Assessment of medication adherence among Lebanese adult patients with non-communicable diseases during COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Medical treatment is considered a cornerstone in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) management, lack of adherence remains the main challenge that may compromise optimal therapeutic outcome achievement.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate treatment adherence levels and associated factors among Lebanese adult patients with non-communicable diseases.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional survey conducted during the COVID-19 lockdown imposed by the Lebanese Government (between September 2020 and January 2021) enrolled 263 adult patients through an anonymous online questionnaire to assess adherence to medications using the Lebanese Medication Adherence Scale (LMAS-14).

COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptability: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Lebanese Residents.

Objective: Concerns about the side effects of available coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines have posed a significant barrier to vaccination in several countries. Accordingly, the current study aimed to assess the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination and its predictors among the Lebanese population.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2021 among Lebanese adults from the 5 main Lebanese districts.

The specialized competency framework for community pharmacists (SCF-CP) in Lebanon: validation and evaluation of the revised version.

Background: In the absence of similar studies in Lebanon, this study aimed at upgrading and validating the Lebanese specialized competencies framework for community pharmacists (SCF-CP) as a tool to transform community practice and support the professional development and career progression of community pharmacists.

Methods: Content validity was assessed and improved through a team of experts. After a thorough literature review and utilizing the Delphi technique, six domains were defined in the framework, with their respective competencies and behaviors.

The self-assessment scale of cognitive complaints in Schizophrenia: validation of the Arabic version among a sample of lebanese patients.

Background: Several subjective scales have been used to measure cognitive complaints in patients with schizophrenia, such as the Self-Assessment Scale of Cognitive Complaints in Schizophrenia (SASCCS), which was designed to be clear, simple, and easy to use. This study aimed to examine the ability of SASCCS as a validated tool to collect and assess subjective cognitive complaints of patients with schizophrenia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study among 120 patients with schizophrenia was performed between July 2019 and Mars 2020 at the Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Lebanon.