Analysis of biomedical and health research in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Background: Several bibliometric analyses have been conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), however, there is limited data from such analyses for the establishment of national or regional health research agenda.

Aim: To assess the biomedical and health research outputs in EMR countries for 2004-2018 and their alignment with the regional strategic health priority areas identified by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.

Methods: We searched and reviewed health-related articles indexed in PubMed and originating from EMR countries from 2004 to 2018 and used these as indicators of the country's total biomedical research publication level.

Genomic characteristics, disease outcome and heterologous vaccine effectiveness among cases with SARS CoV-2 infection.

Background: In the pursuit of global health security, continuous monitoring of vaccine effectiveness across various viral strains emerges as a crucial imperative. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 major variants of concern (VOCs), including Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron, has added complexity to the COVID-19 vaccination landscape.

Objectives: To assess illness severity, evaluate vaccine efficacy across varying doses and types, and determine effectiveness against major VOCs within the population.

Factors influencing human papillomavirus vaccine uptake among parents and teachers of schoolgirls in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a highly prevalent disease among women worldwide. However, the advent of a vaccine against HPV, the main cause of the disease, has prevented its spread. The acceptability of the HPV vaccine to different sectors of the Saudi community has yet to be clarified.

Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults Living with HIV Attending Antiretroviral Clinics versus Traditional Healers' Offices in Bukavu City, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Background: The benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) include immune system strengthening, viral load suppression, and improved health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This present study compares the HRQOL of PLHIV visiting ART clinics versus that of PLHIV attending traditional healers (THs)' offices, assesses the adherence of PLHIV to ART, identifies possible predictors of nonadherence of PLHIV to ART and HRQOL, and estimates the proportion of patients with HIV referred by THs to health centers in Bukavu.

Patients And Methods: Between February and June 2023, a cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 150 adult PLHIV attending ART clinics and 150 adult PLHIV visiting THs' offices in the 3 urban health zones of Bukavu.

Neuroanatomy teaching in the flipped classroom: Attitudes and effect on medical students' performance.

Background: Neuroanatomy is essential to clinical neurosciences and is one of the most difficult components of the anatomy curriculum. Flipped classrooms are one of the pedagogical approaches that have been found to enhance students' abilities and encourage in-depth learning. The current study aims to assess the attitudes and effects of flipped classrooms on neuroanatomy teaching among medical students compared to traditional classrooms.

Diabetes knowledge, health literacy and diabetes self-care among older adults living with diabetes in Alexandria, Egypt.

Background: Type 2 diabetes is a rising health problem, especially in older adults. Health literacy and the degree of diabetes knowledge are among the factors that may influence diabetes self-care activities. The aim of this study was to assess factors affecting self-care activities among older adults living with type 2 diabetes in Alexandria, Egypt.

Unraveling the relative abundance of psychobiotic bacteria in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social deficits. Accumulated evidence has shown a link between alterations in the composition of gut microbiota and both neurobehavioural and gastrointestinal symptoms in children with ASD which are related to the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These genera have been recently categorized as "psychobiotics".

Student Performance and Perceptions of Flipped Classrooms and Small Group Discussions as Teaching Tools in Practical Anatomy.

Introduction A quasi-experimental study was conducted to assess students' attitudes toward the flipped practical classroom and evaluate its effectiveness in teaching practical anatomy. Methods Two survey questionnaires were developed: the first assessed students' attitudes toward flipped practical classrooms, while the second focused on the obstacles and difficulties students might encounter in this learning environment. Results We found that students rated flipped learning significantly higher compared to other teaching methods, particularly in terms of the quality of learning materials, enhancement of learning skills, engagement and understanding of anatomy topics, and problem-solving abilities.

Learning interventions in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region: supporting Member States to get prepared for better response to health emergencies in the region.

Background: The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) faces numerous public health risks caused by biological, chemical, man-made, and natural hazards. This manuscript aimed to assess the multifaceted interventions and strategies used to strengthen the EMR's preparedness capacities to respond properly to current and upcoming health emergencies.

Objective: To address these challenges, it is crucial to implement comprehensive and robust strategic risk assessments and health emergency preparedness frameworks.

Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Among 18 to 48 Month Old Children: A Multi-Center Study in Qatar.

Little is known about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Qatar. The lack of consensus in ASD screening has led to differences in the reported prevalence with escalating rates over time. To screen for ASD and to identify associate factors among Qatary children aged 18 to 48 months.

A novel bio-coagulation/co-digestion/pyrolysis scheme for banana pseudostem waste management: techno‑economic and sustainability approaches.

While several studies have focused on utilizing banana pseudostem waste (BPW) for wastewater treatment via bio-coagulation, this process still suffers from secondary pollution caused by the disposal of generated sludge. To avoid this pollution transfer issue, this study is the first to focus on the recyclability of post-coagulation sludge (PCS) to recover added-value products. For this purpose, BPW was used as a model bio-coagulant for the decontamination of laundry wastewater (LWW), followed by anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis schemes to recover biogas and biochar, respectively.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Treatment Burden and Medication Adherence Among Primary Care Patients with Multimorbidity in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Multimorbidity, the coexistence of multiple chronic conditions, presents significant challenges in treatment management and medication adherence. This study investigates the burden of multimorbidity and factors influencing treatment adherence among primary care patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2023, including 422 participants selected via stratified random sampling from 12 primary healthcare centers in Jeddah.

Predictors of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among People Living with HIV in Northern Egypt.

Adherence to medications is a crucial factor in achieving the best therapeutic outcomes for patients who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Little is known about the rate and predictors of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Egypt. To assess the degree of adherence to ART among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Egypt and to explore the predictors of non-adherence.

Sudden death due to enterotoxemia among Arabian camels () and associated risk factors.

Background: Sudden death is defined as an unexpected death occurring with no observed antecedent clinical signs.

Aim: The current study was performed to notice the tangible causes of sudden death among 51 out of 340 she-camels on a private farm in the eastern region of El Khafgi, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study design was conducted to investigate the sudden death of camels through microscopic examination of fecal matter to identify the gastrointestinal parasites, analysis of whole blood thin films to diagnose blood parasites, blood culturing to recognize bacterial infection as , and macroscopic postmortem examination to identify the gastrointestinal adult worm.

Effect of a digital two-dimensional animation program on attitude toward walking aids, performance, and fall avoidance behaviors among older adults in assisted living facilities.

The study investigated the impact of a two-dimensional animation program on attitudes towards walking aids, performance, and fall avoidance behaviors among older adults in assisted living facilities. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group study was conducted on 128 older adults aged 60 years and above. The intervention group showed more favorable attitudes towards walking aids, improved cane and walker use, and reduced fall concerns.

Common mistakes in biostatistics.

Biostatistics plays a pivotal role in developing, interpreting and drawing conclusions from clinical, biological and epidemiological data. However, the improper application of statistical methods can lead to erroneous conclusions and misinterpretations. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of the most frequent mistakes encountered in the biostatistical analysis process.