Geographic epidemiology in a small area: cancer incidence in Baakline, Lebanon, 2000-2008

Aggregate data of the National Cancer Registry in Lebanon cannot discriminate cancer incidence in small areas. Trained community members surveyed the permanent population of the Baakline municipality using the verbal autopsy approach. We surveyed 1042 households with at least 1 member living permanently In Baakline during 2000-2008. Data covered 4330 persons yielding 34143 years of observation and 56 new cases of cancer were reported. Median age at diagnosis varied significantly between men [77 years] and women [56 years]. The most common types were lung cancer [20%] followed by colorectal [12.5%] and breast [9%]. Estimated crude cancer incidence rate was164 cases/100 000 persons/year, significantly higher in men [194] than women [130], and much lower overall than the national figure [218]. The permanent Baakline population Is older than that of Lebanon itself, yet the cancer Incidence rate is markedly lower than the national figure. This finding pleads for serious efforts to preserve the low environmental | contamination and the healthy lifestyles In food and tobacco abstinence that have protected the population so far

Health-care-seeking behaviour among university students in Lebanon

This cross-sectional study assessed the health-care-seeking behaviour, barriers to accessing care and associated factors among a sample of 543 Lebanese students at Saint-Joseph University. Data were collected on health-care-seeking behaviour for health issues in the previous 12 months using an anonymous questionnaire. Health-care-seeking behaviour was categorized as: formal [professional help sought]; informal relational [help sought from friends/family]; informal personal [self-help]. The health issues examined were: physical, psychological, social and relational, sexual, drug, alcohol and smoking. When facing health-related issues, the students tended to seek informal health care. Formal health-care-seeking behaviour was almost non-existent for psychological issues [3.3%], relational and social issues [1.8%], and issues related to substance use [5.1%]. The barriers to seeking formal health care fell into 2 categories: accessibility and relational. To encourage young people to access formal health care, specific health services should be provided for them where they are assured of confidentiality and understanding

Physical and verbal/emotional abuse of schoolchildren, Lebanon, 2009

The extent of physical and verbal/emotional abuse in schools in Lebanon is currently unknown. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and patterns of both forms of abuse among a nationally representative sample of Lebanese schoolchildren, aged 10-18 years, using a self-reported questionnaire. A total of 1177 schoolchildren, 49.6% females, median age 14 years, completed the survey; 76.4% and 81.2% of these had experienced physical and verbal/emotional abuse respectively at least once at school. Male students [adjusted odd ratio [AOR] = 3.4, P< 0.01], children in public schools [AOR = 1.9, P< 0.01] and in South Lebanon [AOR = 2.2, P< 0.01] and Bekaa [AOR = 1.7, P< 0.05] regions were more likely to have experienced physical abuse than females, children from private schools and from Beirut. Male students [AOR = 1.3, P< 0.01] and children in public schools [AOR = 1.6, P< 0.01] were also more likely to experience verbal abuse, with no regional differences. The prevalence of physical and verbal/emotional abuse in schools in Lebanon is high and solutions should be sought to correct the problem engaging political and social leaders, the mass media, law enforcement agencies, parents and educators

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

Heterosexual awareness and practices among Lebanese male conscripts

To assess sexual behaviour and awareness about sexually transmitted infections [STIs] among young male adults in Lebanon, and to explore determinants associated with increasing levels of sexual risk, a cross-sectional survey of 730 conscripts was conducted. About 50% reported any lifetime heterosexual experience. Non-mutually exclusive sex predominated, and only half of the respondents reported consistent condom use during insertive vaginal sex. Higher sexual risk-taking was associated with urban residence, higher education, lower family crowding and younger age at first sexual experience. A national strategy with epidemiological and behavioural surveillance and educational programmes must be initiated before sexual risk-taking and incidence of STIs become a major public health issue