Effectiveness of hand hygiene campaigns and interventions across the League of Arab States: a region-wide scoping review.

Hand hygiene is a standard public health practice for limiting the spread of infectious diseases, yet they are still not routine global health behaviours. This review aimed to examine the effectiveness of various hand hygiene interventions conducted across the League of Arab States, identify gaps in the existing literature, and propose areas for future research and intervention development. A scoping review was conducted across 16 databases for relevant publications published up to and including October 2023. Forty studies met the inclusion criteria; of these, 34 were hospital-based and six community-based. Of the reviewed studies, 24 provided adequate details that would enable replication of their intervention. Eighteen of the studies used some variation of the World Health Organization's Five Moments for intervention content or assessment. More than half (N = 25) reported healthcare worker or student hand hygiene behaviours as an outcome and 15 studies also included some form of patient-centred outcomes. Six studies specified the use of theory or framework for their evaluation design or intervention content, and four studies mentioned use of local government guidelines or recommendations. Future research should focus on bridging the literature gaps by emphasizing community-based studies and integrating cultural nuances into intervention designs. Additionally, applying theoretical frameworks to hand hygiene studies could enhance understanding and effectiveness, ensuring sustainable improvements in hygiene practices across diverse settings in the League of Arab States.

Dietary transition and obesity in selected Arabicspeaking countries: a review of the current evidence.

Escalating obesity rates have become a significant public health problem in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and have been associated with shifts towards a westernized diet. This integrative review aimed to examine the current dietary trends and transitions and their association with obesity in Arabic-speaking countries of the MENA region. Relevant databases were searched for studies in MENA countries between 1998 and 2014 that investigated obesity trends and changes in dietary patterns at the regional level in all age groups. A total of 39 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All the articles noted that obesity was increasingly prevalent and that there was a significant dietary shift away from traditional dietary patterns; 51% reported a shift towards a westernized diet and half found that the western diet was correlated with increased obesity. Culturally relevant dietary health education and health promotion strategies are warranted to address both the dietary shifts towards the westernized diet and the increasing obesity.

Dietary transition and obesity in selected Arabic-speaking countries: a review of the current evidence

Escalating obesity rates have become a significant public health problem in the Middle East and North Africa [MENA] region and have been associated with shifts towards a westernized diet. This integrative review aimed to examine the current dietary trends and transitions and their association with obesity in Arabic-speaking countries of the MENA region. Relevant databases were searched for studies in MENA countries between 1998 and 2014 that investigated obesity trends and changes in dietary patterns at the regional level in all age groups. A total of 39 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All the articles noted that obesity was increasingly prevalent and that there was a significant dietary shift away from traditional dietary patterns; 51% reported a shift towards a westernized diet and half found that the western diet was correlated with increased obesity. Culturally relevant dietary health education and health promotion strategies are warranted to address both the dietary shifts towards the westernized diet and the increasing obesity

L'augmentation rapide des taux d'obésité est devenue un problème de santé publique significatif dans la région du Moyen-Orient et de l'Afrique du Nord [MENA] et est associée à une occidentalisation des habitudes alimentaires. Le présent examen intégratif visait à étudier les tendances et les transitions alimentaires actuelles ainsi que leurs associations à l'obésité dans des pays arabophones de la région MENA. Des recherches ont été menées dans des bases de données pertinentes afin de trouver des études réalisées dans les pays de la région MENA entre 1998 et 2014 portant sur les tendances de l'obésité et les changements d'habitudes alimentaires parmi tous les groupes d'âge au niveau régional. Au total, 39 articles répondaient au critère d'inclusion. Tous les articles mentionnaient que l'obésité était de plus en plus prévalente et qu'un éloignement notable des habitudes alimentaires traditionnelles s'opérait. En effet, 51% des articles rapportaient une occidentalisation de l'alimentation, et la moitié concluait qu'il y avait une corrélation entre l'alimentation occidentale et l'augmentation de l'obésité. Une éducation en santé alimentaire et des stratégies de promotion de la santé pertinentes d'un point de vue culturel sont requises pour s'attaquer à la question de l'occidentalisation des habitudes alimentaires et de l'augmentation de l'obésité