[Predictive factors for the level of knowledge, attitudes and quality of life of Tunisian diabetics : 1007 cases]. / Facteurs prédictifs du niveau des connaissances, des attitudes et de la qualité de vie des diabétiques tunisiens ­ À propos de 1007 cas.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To study the predictors of knowledge level, attitudes and quality of life of type 1(T1D) and type 2 (T2D) Tunisian diabetics POPULATION AND METHODS: We undertook an analytical cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was administered in Arabic and contained a section collecting socio-demographic, clinical and diabetes-specific data. The following sections contained the Arabic-translated and validated versions of the "Simplified Diabetes Knowledge Scale", the "Diabetes Attitude Scale-3" and the "Diabetes Health Profile-18" to assess level of diabetes knowledge, attitudes towards the disease and diabetics' quality of life. RESULTS: We collected 186 T1D (18.5%) and 821 T2D (81.5%) completed questionnaires. A good level of knowledge about diabetes was indicated in T1D patients by glycemic self-monitoring and by secondary and university education, urban housing, stable employment, insulin therapy and prior therapeutic education, while regular medical follow-up was of particular importance in T2DM patients. Smoking and diabetes complications were predictors of a negative attitude towards the disease in T1D and T2D respectively. Diabetics' Impaired quality of life was predicted by age < 40 years and a low level of knowledge about diabetes in T1D and by female sex, insulin therapy and a low level of knowledge about diabetes in T2D. CONCLUSION: Predictors of the level of knowledge, attitudes and quality of life of diabetics may be a basis for establishing a therapeutic education program tailored to the different populations.

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

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.

[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.

[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