updated global picture of cigarette smoking persistence among adults

Cross-national variance in smoking prevalence is relatively well documented. The aim of this study is to estimate levels of smoking persistence across 21 countries with a hypothesized inverse relationship between country income level and smoking persistence. Data from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Survey Initiative were used to estimate cross-national differences in smoking persistence-the proportion of adults who started to smoke and persisted in smoking by the date of the survey. There is large variation in smoking persistence from 25% [Nigeria] to 85% [China], with a random-effects meta-analytic summary estimate of 55% with considerable cross-national variation. [Cochran's heterogeneity Q statistic = 6845; p < 0.001]. Meta-regressions indicated that observed differences are not attributable to differences in country's income level, age distribution of smokers, or how recent the onset of smoking began within each country. While smoking should remain an important public health issue in any country where smokers are present, this report identifies several countries with higher levels of smoking persistence [namely, China and India]

Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in Lebanon: first onset, treatment, and exposure to war

There are no published data on national lifetime prevalence and treatment of mental disorders in the Arab region. Furthermore, the effect of war on first onset of disorders has not been addressed previously on a national level, especially in the Arab region. Thus, the current study aims at investigating the lifetime prevalence, treatment, age of onset and its relationship to war in Lebanon. The Lebanese Evaluation of the Burden of Ailments and Needs of the Nation study was carried out on a nationally representative sample of the Lebanese population [n = 2.857 adults]. Respondents were interviewed using the fully structured WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0. Lifetime prevalence of any Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition [DSM-IV] disorder was 25.8%. Anxiety [16.7%] and mood [12.6%] were more common than impulse control [4.4%] and substance [2.2%] disorders. Only a minority of people with any mental disorder ever received professional treatment, with substantial delays [6 to 28 y] between the onset of disorders and onset of treatment. War exposure increased the risk of first onset of anxiety [odds ratio [OR]: 5.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.5-14.1], mood [OR 3.32, 95% CI 2.0-5.6], and impulse control disorders [OR 12.72, 95% CI 4.5-35.7]. About one-fourth of the sample [25.8%] met criteria for at least one of the DSM-IV disorders at some point in their lives. There is a substantial unmet need for early identification and treatment. Exposure to war events increases the odds of first onset of mental disorders

Epidemiologic assessment of substance use in the Arab world

Epidemiological studies on substance use are rare in the Arab world. The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review of all published epidemiologic research in the Arab world up to 2007 using several search engines such as PubMed, PsycInfo, and IDRAAC web database. Research in the Arab world was conducted on specific subpopulations ranging from students to autopsies, at times on large numbers and only one published article on a national basis. Despite the rigid laws against substance use in this region, alcohol is the most used substance, especially among high school and university students ranging from 4.3% to 70.1%. Males use substances more than females except for tranquilizers and barbiturates, the trends changing in a recent report from the L.E.B.A.N.O.N study. As reported by Western counterparts, substances carry a burden on several levels including social impairment, problems of violence, and HIV. Risk factors for substance use include mainly family problems and peer pressure. However, there remains a clear need for national data on substance use in the Arab world in an attempt to identify the magnitude of the problem, and track it for proper monitoring and intervention