Herbal and nutritional supplement use among college students in Qatar

There is increasing demand for herbal and nutritional supplements in the Middle East. This study aimed to examine the use of supplements by college students in Qatar and to elucidate users' views about them. A total of 419 college students completed a self-administered questionnaire. Almost half of the respondents [49.6%] had used supplements [ever users], with 32.7% reporting using them in the previous 6 months [current users]. Of the latter, 27.7% had used herbal supplements, 56.2% vitamins and minerals and 56.9% non-vitamin, non-mineral, non-herbal supplements. Many participants considered supplements to be safer and more effective than conventional medicines. Supplements were preferred over conventional medicines for the treatment of digestive conditions and common respiratory ailments and for weight management. Educating health-care providers about the benefits and risks of supplements is imperative and will enable health-care practitioners to guide patients in making informed decisions about supplement use

Brucellosis outbreak in Chouf district of Lebanon in 2009: a case-control study

A study was conducted to determine risk factors associated with brucellosis infection in an outbreak in Chouf district of Lebanon during summer 2009. Cases of brucellosis reported to the Ministry of Public Health were identified, and for each case 2 controls were matched by sex, age and residence. Sociodemographic data, exposure to animals and animal products, knowledge about brucellosis, symptoms and history of past brucellosis infections were collected. Consumption of raw cheese was a significant risk factor for contracting brucellosis [matched OR = 29.5], whereas wearing gloves when in contact with animals and animal products and self-preparing dairy products were protective factors [OR = 0.08 and 0.13 respectively]. Low and inaccurate knowledge about brucellosis was prevalent among subjects, with a common misconception about human-human transmission. Ensuring animal vaccination, educating people on correct ways of milk pasteurization and handling meat products, and elevating food safety monitoring threshold are key elements in controlling brucellosis

Prevalence and predictors of non-fatal myocardial infarction in Jordan

This study in May 2002, part of the Jordan Department of Statistics national crosssectional, multistage employment and unemployment survey, measured the prevalence of selfreported myocardial infarction [MI] and the association with modifiable risk factors among Jordanians aged 40+ years. Of 3083 participants, 183 [5.9%] had ever been told by a doctor that they had had a MI. The prevalence varied by age and sex; 128 [69.9%] of the cases were in men. Among males and females, self-reported hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia were significantly associated with MI and diabetes was a significant risk factor for women. There was a significant relationship between current smoking and MI but not with previous smoking. Exercise and body mass index were not statistically significant predictors of MI in both males and females