[Prevalence of and factors associated with smoking among students in Sousse, Tunisia]

Dans le cadre de la lutte contre le tabac auprès des jeunes, une étude descriptive transversale a été menée en 2013 afin d'estimer la prévalence du tabagisme et d'identifier les facteurs qui lui sont associés parmi les étudiants de la ville de Sousse. Un questionnaire a été administré auprès d'un échantillon représentatif de556 étudiants inscrits dans cinq établissements universitaires à Sousse tirés au hasard. L'âge des répondants variait entre 17 et 35 ans. La prévalence de la consommation de tabac durant les 12 derniers mois était de 22,1 % et la consommation durant les trois derniers mois était de 65,3 %. L'âge moyen de début de consommation tabagique était de 17 ans. La prévalence tabagique augmente significativement avec le sexe masculin (p<0,001) et l'âge supérieur à 25 ans (p =0,002). Les étudiants de deux institutions universitaires consommaient plus detabac que leurs collègues des autres facultés (p=0,027). La forte prévalence du tabagisme chez les étudiants fait de la prévention une mesure indispensable qui passe essentiellement par le renforcement de l'estime de soi et l'évaluation des programmes d'intervention mis en oeuvre avant la consommation de la première cigarette.

Within the framework of the fight against tobacco among young people, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in 2013 to estimate the prevalence of smoking and to identify associated factors among students in Sousse. A questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of 556 students in 5 academic institutions in Sousse randomly drawn. The age of the participants was between 17 and 35 years. The prevalence of tobacco consumption in the past 12 months was 22.1% and consumption during the past 3 months was 65.3%.The average age of starting smoking was 17 years. Smoking prevalence was significantly higher for males (P < 0.001) and those aged over 25 years (P = 0.002). Students from 2 of the institutions were using more tobacco than their colleagues in the other institutions (P = 0.027). The high prevalence of smoking found among the students means that prevention measures are essential; this requires increasing self-esteem and evaluating intervention programmes implemented before smoking the first cigarette.

Epidemiological and chronological profile of preterm birth in the region of Monastir (Tunisia) between 1994 and 2012.

Data about the profile and risk factors of premature births in Tunisia are scarce. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of preterm births in Monastir, Tunisia, and to study the chronological trends of associated factors over the years 1994-2012. A population-based study was conducted using data from the regional births database on all deliveries in public maternity units. The overall prevalence of preterm births among the 161 116 deliveries in the 19-year period was 5.60% (95% CI: 5.13%-6.07%). The rate of preterm births and of adequate prenatal care increased significantly over the study period. Extremes of maternal age (≤ 19 and ≥ 35 years), having a twin pregnancy and the occurrence of complications during pregnancy were significant predictors of prematurity in the final regression model. Efforts should be made to improve the quality of health care in the region, especially for high-risk pregnancies.

[Respiratory morbidity in family practice in the region of Sousse, Tunisia]. / La morbidité respiratoire en médecine générale dans la région de Sousse (Tunisie).

We determined the profile of respiratory morbidity in family practice in the region a cross-sectional study in 86 primary health care centres in Souse over 1 year (2002-03). Medical records for 3 weeks per season were randomly selected. The International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) was used to code recorded data. Respiratory diseases ranked first both for reason for consultation (8397/24 882, 33.7%) and for diagnosis made (7788/18 097, 43.0%). Of the 7715 respiratory complaints, cough was the most common complaint (54.8%). Of respiratory diagnoses, 37.1% were acute tonsillitis, 26.5% acute bronchitis and 21.6% were acute respiratory tract infection. Children under 5 years were most affected by acute upper respiratory tract infections (44.5%). Acute bronchitis was the primary diagnosis for patients aged over 45 years.

Respiratory morbidity in family practice in the region of Sousse, Tunisia

We determined the profile of respiratory morbidity in family practice in the region of Sousse. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 86 primary health care centres in Souse over 1 year [2002-03]. Medical records for 3 weeks per season were randomly selected. The International Classification of Primary Care [ICPC] was used to code recorded data. Respiratory diseases ranked first both for reason for consultation [8397/24 882, 33.7%] and for diagnosis made [7788/18 097, 43.0%]. Of the 7715 respiratory complaints, cough was the most common complaint [54.8%]. Of respiratory diagnoses, 37.1% were acute tonsillitis, 26.5% acute bronchitis and 21.6% were acute respiratory tract infection. Children under 5 years were most affected by acute upper respiratory tract infections [44.5%]. Acute bronchitis was the primary diagnosis for patients aged over 45 years