Lebanese Dentists' Preparedness to Deal With Medical Emergencies in Their Clinics: A National Survey.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Health-related emergencies, from minor incidents to life-threatening situations, can occur unexpectedly in dental clinics. Ensuring that dentists and their teams are well-prepared with adequate training and essential equipment is crucial. Proper preparedness can lead to effective management of emergencies and reduce potential complications. This cross-sectional national study aimed at assessing the preparedness of Lebanese dentists in managing medical emergencies. METHODS: Data was collected between August and October 2024 using an online questionnaire which was distributed to all registered Lebanese dentists through the Lebanese Dental Associations located in Beirut and Tripoli. RESULTS: The study found that 38.2% of dentists had an emergency kit in their clinics, and 88.0% had some emergency equipment; yet only 5.9% had a defibrillator. While 71.3% had emergency training in university, 28.5% never received it. Only 18.8% reported staff training in medical emergencies. Most dentists (74.2%) encountered minor medical issues, and 22.4% faced major emergencies, with only 1.8% reporting cardiac arrest cases. Vasovagal reactions, hypoglycemia, and orthostatic hypotension were common emergencies. While 69.0% felt capable of managing minor issues, confidence dropped for major emergencies and specific procedures. An overwhelming 87.8% expressed a need for more emergency training. Post-graduation training, prior defibrillator use, and having an emergency kit were linked to better emergency management capabilities in the logistic regressions. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate significant gaps in emergency preparedness among Lebanese dentists. Many lack adequate training and resources, highlighting the urgent need for further training and better-equipped clinics. Strengthening policy frameworks and resource allocation is crucial. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Stakeholders should prioritize implementing mandatory training programs and developing clear guidelines to ensure that dental clinics in Lebanon are adequately prepared to manage health-related emergencies effectively.

Colorectal cancer screening knowledge and uptake in lebanon: a national survey.

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this national survey was to identify the levels of colorectal cancer screening knowledge and uptake in Lebanon. METHODS: A total of 1200 participants were enrolled in this cross-sectional household survey targeting the Lebanese population aged 50 years and above. The sample was recruited using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling approach. RESULTS: Of the total sample, 38.3% knew about any screening test for colorectal cancer but only 7.5% had ever used any. Thirty-nine percent of the participants rated their risk of getting colorectal cancer as very low or low, and only 53.5% were confident in their ability to undertake a screening test. Almost all participants agreed that medical advice and test reimbursement would encourage them to do a screening test. At the multivariate analysis level, hearing of an awareness campaign in the last two years showed the strongest association with the knowledge of a colorectal cancer screening test with an estimated ORadj = 5.12 (95%CI: 3.67 - 7.15). Other factors that were significantly associated with this knowledge variable included: a family history of colorectal cancer, a personal history of colorectal illness, having a health coverage, and knowledge of colorectal cancer signs and symptoms. DISCUSSION: This national study highlights an alarming lack of uptake and low levels of knowledge of colorectal cancer screening tests even though it is among the most prevalent cancers in Lebanon and its prevalence has been continuously increasing in the past years. The evidence suggests that people who had an experience with colorectal cancer diagnostic tests, either personally or through a family member, and those who have heard of an awareness campaign about colorectal cancer in the last two years are more likely to know its screening tests. CONCLUSION: Colorectal cancer screening knowledge and uptake in Lebanon are limited and justify the need for public health interventions. This study gives evidence that awareness campaigns, coupled with the involvement of medical providers and the reimbursement of screening test fees, would alleviate the burden of colorectal cancer in Lebanon.

Participation by conflict-affected and forcibly displaced communities in humanitarian healthcare responses: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Community participation in health responses in humanitarian crises is increasingly promoted by humanitarian actors to support adoption of measures that are relevant and effective to local needs. Our aim was to understand the role of community participation in humanitarian health responses for conflict-affected populations (including forcibly displaced populations) in low- and middle-income countries and the barriers and facilitators to community participation in healthcare responses. METHODS: Using a systematic review methodology, following the PRISMA protocol, we searched four bibliographic databases for publications reporting peer-reviewed primary research. Studies were selected if they reported how conflict-affected populations were involved in healthcare responses in low- and middle-income settings, and associated changes in healthcare responses or health outcomes. We applied descriptive thematic synthesis and assessed study quality using study design-specific appraisal tools. RESULTS: Of 18,247 records identified through the database searching, 18 studies met our inclusion criteria. Various types of community participation were observed, with participation mostly involved in implementing interventions rather than framing problems or designing solutions. Most studies on community participation focused on changes in health services (access, utilisation, quality), community acceptability and awareness, and ownership and sustainability. Key barriers and facilitators to community participation included political will at national and local level, ongoing armed conflict, financial and economic factors, socio-cultural dynamics of communities, design of humanitarian responses, health system factors, and health knowledge and beliefs. Included studies were of mixed quality and the overall strength of evidence was weak. More generally there was limited critical engagement with concepts of participation. CONCLUSION: This review highlights the need for more research on more meaningful community participation in healthcare responses in conflict-affected communities, particularly in framing problems and creating solutions. More robust research is also required linking community participation with longer-term individual and health system outcomes, and that critically engages in constructs of community participation.