Attitudes and factors influencing organ donation decision-making in Damascus, Syria: a cross-sectional study.

Organ donation is vital to saving lives, but its success depends on people's willingness to donate organs. This descriptive cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate attitudes towards organ donation in Damascus, Syria. Understanding attitudes is crucial for the success of organ donation programs, especially in countries with similar settings. This study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey aimed at understanding patients' attitudes towards organ donation in Damascus, Syria. Data was collected through a carefully constructed validated survey through face-to-face interviews. 600 participants were randomly interviewed, 62.8% agreed to donate their organs after death, with helping others being the primary reason. Religious beliefs were the primary reason for organ refusal in males, while for females, it was lack of knowledge and religious beliefs. However, there were no significant differences between genders or educational level and age groups in the acceptance of organ donation. The percentage of those who agree to donate their organs after death encourages taking an effective step to build an integrated donation system, not just a center. Bearing in mind that there is no correlation with age, gender or even educational level, which means that the system may include different groups of society.

Clearing the path to vision restoration: an analysis of attitudes and associated factors towards cornea donation in Syria.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess attitudes and associated factors towards cornea donation among visitors of a main public hospital in Damascus. Findings of this study can contribute to the development of effective donation campaigns and applying cornea donation in Syria. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included individuals who were above 18 years old and were visitors of Al-Mouwasat University Hospital in Damascus, Syria. Data were gathered using a questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews with the participants. A validated questionnaire was used and consisted of three sections: demographic information, awareness assessment and evaluation of participants' attitudes towards corneal donation. Associations between participants' demographics and variables were tested using χ2 test, and a p value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: 637 participants were randomly interviewed. 70.8% of the sample were female and 45.7% have heard about cornea donation. 68.3% of the participants accepted donation of their cornea after death, but this decreased to 56.2% when it comes to donation from relatives after their death. The main reasons for refusing and accepting cornea donation were religious beliefs (10.8%) and intention to help others (65.8%), respectively. Women were more likely to accept donation after death than men (71.4% vs 60.8%, p=0.009). Finally, acceptance of cornea donation would increase if participants lived in a more developed country (71.7% vs 68.3%). CONCLUSION: Despite the high willingness, corneal donation in Syria is still not enough. Corneal donation requires an ensured donation system that supports and organises the processes, a simplified education about the importance of donation, and clarifying the right instructions of religion.

Awareness and knowledge of glaucoma among visitors of main public hospitals in Damascus, Syria: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The main way to prevent blindness from Glaucoma is by early detection and diagnosis; and to do so the awareness must be raised among people where Glaucoma is defined as an acquired chronic optic neuropathy characterized by optic disk cupping and visual field loss. Lack of knowledge about this disease is one of the most important reasons that made it develop to advanced stages. Based on that, we conducted scientific research to assess peoples' awareness and knowledge about Glaucoma. After reviewing the literature, it was found that this study is the first in Syria. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in May 2022. The study included participants, who are above 20 years old, from visitors of Al-Mouwasat University Hospital in Damascus, Syria. During one week, Data was gathered according to the questionnaire, which was presented through face-to-face interviews with participants. We have allocated one point (1) to each question. Three levels of knowledge were adopted, namely; weak level from (0) to (3), average level from (4) to (7) and good level from (8) to (11). Associations between participants' demographic and other details were tested using Chi-square test and other tests, and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 500 participants were interviewed. For awareness of Glaucoma, 33.6% of the participants (n = 168) had heard of Glaucoma, and 66.4% hadn't (n = 332). Mean test results for the knowledge of Glaucoma was 1.62 out of 11, and only 8% of participants (n = 40) had a good knowledge of Glaucoma. Education Level, governorate, and department of hospital that the patient came for significantly affected the knowledge of Glaucoma. Moreover, hospital, Ophthalmologists' Clinics, and health staff (M = 5.45) were the better Resource for information than family, relatives, and friends (M = 3.16). Finally, social media and the Internet group had the lowest mean test results (M = 1.23). These test results were significant, with a p-value < 0.001. CONCLUSION: The percentage of knowledge and awareness was significantly low. Organized community awareness methods must disseminate more ability to increase the general public's understanding to avoid injury and late diagnosis of Glaucoma.

War-related ocular injuries in Damascus during the Syrian Crisis.

BACKGROUND: . Ocular injuries constitute a major cause of visual morbidity, and they have a significant socioeconomic impact worldwide. We aimed to document the types and causes of Syrian War related ocular injuries in Damascus, Syria. METHODS: . Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate all patients in Al-Mouwasat University Hospital and Damascus Hospital, whose ocular injuries were caused by war-related activities during the period extending between January of 2016 and December 2017. RESULTS: . 150 eye injuries in 127 patients were reviewed, in which 46 (31%) were bilateral and 87 (58%) were open globe injuries. The leading cause of the observed ocular injuries was improvised explosive devices (IED) [37 eyes (41%)]. The majority of patients presented with an initial best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of "light perception" (LP) to "hand movement" (HM) [51 eyes (34%)]. Information on the final BCVA was available for 69 injured eyes only, and it was "no light perception" (NLP) in 20 eyes (29%). CONCLUSION: . Explosive weaponry is the main culprit in most war-related ocular injuries in Syria. The high incidence of open globe injuries caused many of the cases to be severe in nature. Education on the precautionary measures that protect the eyes such as the use of combat eye protection during wartimes ought to be enforced, so that future ocular injuries can be prevented.

Awareness of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy among a group of diabetic patients in main public hospitals in Damascus, Syria during the Syrian crisis.

BACKGROUND: The awareness of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications, especially diabetic retinopathy (DR), is the key to reducing their burden. This study aimed to assess both the awareness of diabetic outpatients and their action towards periodic eye exam, and to determine the causes of non-compliance amongst patients who were aware. Because the Syrian Crisis affected all aspects of Syrians' life, the study aimed to determine the crisis' effects on patients' care-seeking behavior. Our study was the first step in paving the way of prevention strategies. METHODS: This observational cross-section study was conducted on 260 patients with DM who were visiting the four main hospitals in the Syrian capital, Damascus between August and November 2017. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) age of participants was 54.3(±12.8) years. Females were more than half (56.2%). The majority were from areas outside Damascus (72.3%). The mean (±SD) DM duration was 10.6 (±7.1) years. Almost all patients (93.8%) thought that DM could affect the eye. 67.3% believed that it could cause blindness. 86.9% of the patients conceived that DM patients should visit an ophthalmologist regularly. 37% did not visit any ophthalmologists at all, while 63% reported they had visited their ophthalmologists. Only 21.5% had a regular eye exam. Gender, educational level, economic status, province, and family history of DM had statistically an insignificant relation with an ophthalmologist visit. The preponderance of the patients who haven't visited regularly did not appreciate the necessity of regular eye exam. Diabetic neuropathy was the most common complication of DM that patients were aware of (92%) and suffered from (56.5%). Meanwhile, regarding the effects of the Syrian Crisis: 41.2% of diabetic patients had stopped their medications for at least one month, mainly because the drugs were unavailable (74.7% of them), as some drug companies had been destroyed. Half of the patients had struggled to reach a medical care center. Half of the patients had been displaced, two-third of them were from outside Damascus. CONCLUSION: A screening program for DR should be initiated. Also, awareness about DM and its complications, especially DR, should be raised through doctors and media.

Steroids for symptom control in infectious mononucleosis.

BACKGROUND: Infectious mononucleosis, also known as glandular fever or the kissing disease, is a benign lymphoproliferative disorder. It is a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a ubiquitous herpes virus that is found in all human societies and cultures. Epidemiological studies show that over 95% of adults worldwide have been infected with EBV. Most cases of symptomatic infectious mononucleosis occur between the ages of 15 and 24 years. It is transmitted through close contact with an EBV shedder, contact with infected saliva or, less commonly, through sexual contact, blood transfusions or by sharing utensils; however, transmission actually occurs less than 10% of the time. Precautions are not needed to prevent transmission because of the high percentage of seropositivity for EBV. Infectious mononucleosis is self-limiting and typically lasts for two to three weeks. Nevertheless, symptoms can last for weeks and occasionally months.Symptoms include fever, lymphadenopathy, pharyngitis, hepatosplenomegaly and fatigue. Symptom relief and rest are commonly recommended treatments. Steroids have been used for their anti-inflammatory effects, but there are no universal criteria for their use. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the review were to determine the efficacy and safety of steroid therapy versus placebo, usual care or different drug therapies for symptom control in infectious mononucleosis. SEARCH METHODS: For this 2015 update we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2015, Issue 7), which includes the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register; MEDLINE (January 1966 to August 2015) and EMBASE (January 1974 to August 2015). We also searched trials registries, however we did not identify any new relevant completed or ongoing trials for inclusion. We combined the MEDLINE search with the Cochrane search strategy for identifying randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We adapted the search terms when searching EMBASE. SELECTION CRITERIA: RCTs comparing the effectiveness of steroids with placebo, usual care, or other interventions for symptom control for people with documented infectious mononucleosis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used the standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS: For this 2015 update, we did not identify any new RCTs for inclusion. The previous version of the review included seven trials with a total of 362 participants. Four trials compared the effectiveness of a steroid to placebo for short-term symptom control in glandular fever, one to aspirin, and two trials explored the effects of steroids in conjunction with an antiviral. Heterogeneity between trials prevented a combined analysis.Trials under-reported methodological design features. Three trials did not adequately describe sequence generation for randomisation. Four trials provided adequate details of allocation concealment. All trials were double-blind but four were not specific as to who was blinded. Loss to follow-up was under-reported in four trials, making it difficult to exclude attrition bias. The risk of selective reporting in the included trials was unclear.Across the trials, no benefit was found in 8/10 assessments of health improvement. Two trials found benefit of steroid therapy over placebo in reducing sore throat at 12 hours (eight-day course odds ratio (OR) 21.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.94 to 227.20; one-dose OR 4.20, 95% CI 1.08 to 16.32), but the benefit was not maintained.In combination with an antiviral drug, participants in the steroid group had less pharyngeal discomfort between days two to four (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.09 to 1.08) compared to placebo. Across the trials the effects on other common symptoms were less clear. Two trials set out to measure safety; they documented no major adverse effects. In two other trials adverse events were reported, including respiratory distress and acute onset of diabetes. However, the association of the events with the steroid is not definite. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to the efficacy of steroids for symptom control in infectious mononucleosis. There is a lack of research on the side effects and long-term complications.