Validation of the Arabic version of the SCOFF questionnaire for the screening of eating disorders

The high prevalence of eating disorders in Arab countries indicates a need for an Arabic language screening tool. This study aimed to validate an Arabic version [A-SCOFF] of the British SCOFF questionnaire, a brief tool for the screening of eating disorders in primary health care. After translation and back-translation the A-SCOFF was given to 123 female patients [mean age 32 [SD 8.8] years] visiting primary health-care centres in Beirut. Each patient was evaluated by an eating disorders specialist blinded to A-SCOFF results. The validated Arabic version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the DSM-IV criteria for eating disorders were used as diagnostic references. The best diagnostic threshold for the A-SCOFF was found to be at 2 positive answers with a sensitivity of 80.0%, a specificity of 72.7% and an area under the curve of 80.0%. The A-SCOFF questionnaire is accurate and reliable for the early detection of eating disorders in this high-risk population

[Anti-tetanus immunity among university students and health staff in North Lebanon and administration of anti-tetanus serums in two hospitals]

Tetanus is a serious illness that kills about one million people a year globally. This study aimed to i] evaluate immunity against tetanus [by antibodies titres in blood] among health staff and students at the Public Health Faculty, Lebanese University, ii] explore the determinants of the anti-tetanus immunity by a questionnaire and iii] estimate anti-tetanic serum use in the emergency departments of two hospitals [1 private, 1 public] in Tripoli. Most of the participants [76.6%] had anti-tetanus antibody titres >/= 0.1 UI/mL. There was no association between immune status and gender [P = 0.614] but more participants =/< 25 years were immunized than those > 25 years [P < 0.001] and more students were immunized than employees [P = 0.032]. There was an inverse association between anti-tetanus immunity and having visited a physician in the past year [P = 0.009]. In 2011, 1037 people received anti-tetanus immunoglobulins at the hospitals, 73% at the private hospital. Vaccination campaigns targetting adults > 25 years may be warranted to assure good anti-tetanus protection and avoid administration of anti-tetanus immunoglobulins in emergency departments

Preliminary study on the prevalence of Campylobacter in childhood diarrhoea in north Lebanon

Campylobacter species are a major cause of human diarrhoeal disease worldwide. In Lebanon, the true prevalence of Campylobacter infections and the species distribution in childhood diarrhoea are not known. This study in 2010 investigated the prevalence of Campylobacter species and its possible etiologic role in childhood diarrhoea in north Lebanon. A total of 90 stool samples from children [aged 1 month to 10 years] presenting with diarrhoea were collected from 5 hospitals. A polymerase chain reaction technique [PCR] was used for each sample for the amplification of all Campylobacter species followed by 5 PCR reactions for the amplification of C. jejuni, C. hyointestinalis, C. coli, C. fetusand C. upsaliensis. Of the 90 samples, 10 were positive for Campylobacter species [11.1%]: 1 for C .coli, 1 for C. jejuni, 2 for both C. jejuni and C. coli, and 6 could not be identified to the species level with the available primers. Campylobacter species is frequently associated with childhood diarrhoea in north Lebanon but Campylobacter infection may be significantly underdiagnosed because the search for Campylobacteria not part of the routine stool culture

[Infections with respiratory syncytial virus in North Lebanon-prevalence during winter 2008]

Between 1 December 2007 and 31 May 2008, we analysed 120 nasopharyngeal swabs for the presence respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] infection in 120 children aged 15 days to 6 years, hospitalized in 2 hospitals in North Lebanon. Of the 120 samples, 32 were positive [26.7%] for RSV. There was a peak in January which progressively disappeared from February to May. Being positive for RSV was significantly associated with the presence of rhinorrhoea and dyspnoea as clinical symptoms and the absence of pneumonia signs on chest X-ray and the diagnosis of bronchitises or bronchiolitis. Testing for RSV is important in cases of respiratory infections in children as it may limit unnecessary prescription of antibiotics

Research in action: mammography utilization following breast cancer awareness campaigns in Lebanon 2002-05

Four consecutive annual surveys of 1200 women each were conducted in Lebanon in connection with the National Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns [2002-05] to measure the prevalence of mammography utilization and the impact of these campaigns, and to highlight regional and demographic differences. The utilization of mammography in the previous 12 months was low and increased only slightly over 4 years [from 11% to 18%]. In the 2005 campaign, it was twice as high [25%] in greater Beirut than in mostly rural areas, and among women aged 40-59 years [about 21%] compared with younger [12%] or older [11%] women. In each wave, repeat mammograms were less common than first time screening