[Quality of "crisis communication" media during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Great Maghreb countries]. / Qualité des supports de communication de crise lors de la pandémie de la COVID-19 au Grand Maghreb.

OBJECTIVE: To objectively assess the quality of "crisis communication" media, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the three Greater Maghreb countries (Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco). METHODS: A compliance audit for press releases and epidemiological bulletins was analyzed against a quality benchmark, which had been specifically designed by the authors. This framework, made up of five dimensions and 50 items, graded (0/1), was applied by two researchers in preventive medicine. Multiplying the scores by a coefficient of two resulted in a partial score of 20 points for each dimension and a total score of 100 points for the checklist taken as a whole. The quality of the communication media was considered to be good when exceeding the thresholds of 15/20 for the different dimensions and 75/100 for the entire grid. RESULTS: A total of 141 information media were included in this audit (Tunisia: 60; Algeria: 60; Morocco: 21). The overall median quality score for these media was only 56/100 (IIQ: [46-58]), without major variability between countries. The most appreciated dimension was "maintaining the confidence of the population", with an overall median score of 14/20 (12/20 for epidemiological bulletins and 16/20 for press releases). The most poorly rated dimension was "strengthening community participation", with a median score of only 4/20 (6/20 for epidemiological bulletins and 4/20 for press releases). CONCLUSION: The quality of the Maghreb crisis communication media during COVID-19 was insufficient in most of its dimensions and items, particularly from a psychosocial standpoint. Reinforcement of the capacities of communication officers to develop information material and supports during health crises is indispensable and should be considered as an urgent matter.

[Smoker's clinical characteristics at a tobacco cessation consultation (Sousse university hospital, Tunisia)]. / Profil clinique des fumeurs à la consultation d'aide au sevrage tabagique (Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sousse, Tunisie).

BACKGROUND: Smoking cessation intervention is among the most vital elements of the prevention of tobacco smoking. Our study aimed to describe the clinical profile of patients attending our smoking cessation unit. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study from December 2009 to June 2012. The patients were recruited in the Tobacco cessation unit of Sahloul Hospital (Sousse, Tunisia). The data were collected from the consultants' records. RESULTS: A total of 279 patients attended. They were mostly men (92.8 %). The mean age was 41.7 ± 13.4 years. Among medical conditions, a history of cardiovascular and respiratory disease was the most frequent (31 %). Anxiety was present in 46.2 % of patients. More than half of the patients (51.2 %) were heavy smokers and 50.5 % were strongly nicotine dependent (Fagerström's score>7). Seventy percent were motivated to stop smoking and 53.8 % had tried to quit at least once. CONCLUSION: The majority of our patients could be considered as heavy smokers. Therapeutic combinations and medical treatment are suggested to assist practitioners trying to help them.

[Smoking behavior among nursing students in Sousse, Tunisia: a preliminary study]. / Comportements tabagiques chez les étudiants infirmiers de Sousse, Tunisie: étude préliminaire.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking is an entirely preventable, man-made, epidemic. It is a major, worldwide, public health problem whose social costs are very high. Health care workers have an important role to play in tobacco control. We conducted a study among nursing students to examine their smoking behavior, their attitudes towards smoking, and their participation in prevention. METHODS: This descriptive, transverse study was conducted in March 2011 during which an anonymous self-completion questionnaire was administered to nursing students. RESULTS: The study included 150 students aged between 18 and 25 years with a sex ratio of 1:3. The prevalence of smoking was 32.6%. Male students began smoking at an earlier age (16.5±2.3 years vs 18.9±1.1 years). The main initiating factors were stress (55%), pleasure (46.9%) and peer influence (36.5%). The Fagerstrom score showed a high level of dependency in 26.5% of smokers. More than 75% of student smokers have tried to quit. Most of the students surveyed (93%) think that health care workers should set a good example by not smoking and 91% of them think they should help others quit smoking. CONCLUSION: Health care workers should be well informed about the harmful effects of tobacco. They should be convinced of the need for their participation in smoking prevention and the fight against this medico-social scourge. It is essential that their training prepares them for this task and that their environment helps them fulfill their responsibility.