Prevalence of intestinal parasites during pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary care center in Lebanon.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a major medical and public health problem, especially in developing countries. This study aimed at comparing the prevalence and types of IPI during pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemics, and with data reported in Lebanon a decade ago. METHODOLOGY: Stool specimen results from a total of 4,451 and 4,158 patients were examined using the concentration method during the pre-covid (2017-2018) and post-covid (2020-2021) pandemic periods, respectively. Demographic information related to patient's age and gender was recorded. RESULTS: The overall positive detected parasites among the total tested in these two periods were 589 (13.2%) and 310 (7.5%), respectively. The protozoa accounted for most parasites (e.g., Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba coli (E. coli), Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia lamblia). Only B. hominis and E. coli showed significant differences; B. hominis was more prevalent in the post-covid period (33.5%) whereas E. coli in the pre-covid phase (44.5%). Among gender, E. histolytica was higher in males during the post-covid period (13.3% vs. 6.3%). Regarding age, adults (between 26 and 55 years) had the highest prevalence, with a noticeable decrease among the elderly in the post-covid time. Compared to the previous decade, the prevalence of B. hominis and E. coli remained higher, and that of E. histolytica and G. lamblia was almost the same. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate an overall reduction in the prevalence of IPI during the post-covid period, though IPIs persistence remains high. This highlights the need for enhancing public health awareness efforts to improve hygiene and sanitation to reduce parasitic prevalence in Lebanon.

Characteristics of outdoor motorized scooter-related injuries: analysis of data from the electronic Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (eCHIRPP). / Caractéristiques des traumatismes causés par l'utilisation à l'extérieur d'une trottinette motorisée : analyse des données de la plate­forme électronique du Système canadien hospitalier d'information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes (eSCHIRPT).

INTRODUCTION: The use of motorized scooters is gaining popularity in Canada and elsewhere. This study aims to summarize characteristics of injuries related to use of motorized scooters using data from the electronic Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (eCHIRPP) and to analyze trends. The eCHIRPP collects information associated with the injury event and clinical information related to treatment (the injured body part, the nature of the injury, injury intent and treatment received) from 11 pediatric and 9 general hospitals across Canada. RESULTS: A free-text search using keywords identified 523 cases related to motorized scooter injuries between January 2012 and December 2019. Most of the injuries reported were among males (62.7%). Fracture/dislocation was the most frequent injury (36.9%), and 14.3% of all patients were admitted to hospital. Joinpoint regression showed a statistically significant increase in injuries related to motorized scooter use between 2012 and 2017 (annual percent change of 18.4%). CONCLUSION: Study findings indicate the need for continued preventive efforts and improved educational messages on safe riding and the importance of the use of protective equipment to prevent injuries among riders.

Sentinel surveillance of injuries and poisonings associated with cocaine and other substance use: results from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP). / Surveillance sentinelle des blessures et des intoxications liées à la consommation de cocaïne et d'autres substances : résultats du Système canadien hospitalier d'information et de recherche en prévention des traumatismes (SCHIRPT).

INTRODUCTION: Consumption of cocaine can lead to numerous injuries and poisoning. However, only a limited number of studies have explored cocaine-related injuries. This study examined a wide range of injuries and poisonings related to cocaine only and in combination with other substances in Canada using sentinel surveillance data captured by the electronic Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (eCHIRPP). METHODS: Injuries and poisonings related to the use of cocaine only or in combination with other substances were identified in the eCHIRPP database between January 2012 and December 2019 for all ages. Descriptive analyses were performed to investigate the distribution of demographic and injury characteristics in poisoning and injury records related to the use of cocaine only and in combination with other substances. Statistical analyses were conducted to find the proportion of cocaine-related injuries per 100000 eCHIRPP records. Cocaine-related injury trends were assessed using annual percent change (APC) Results: Cocaine-related injuries and poisonings were observed in 123 records per 100 000 eCHIRPP records. Of the 1482 patients who presented to emergency departments of CHIRPP sites with this type of injury or poisoning, the majority involved cocaine use in combination with one or more substances (80.0%; n = 1186), whereas cocaine-only use was the minority (20.0%; n = 296). Among all cocaine-related records, poisoning was the leading diagnosis (62.7%; n = 930) and most injuries and poisonings were unintentional (73.5%; n = 1090). Overall, the trend of cocaine-related eCHIRPP records for all age groups increased over the study period from 2012 to 2019 (APC [total] = 47.8%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings of a higher proportion of cocaine-related injuries and poisonings among adolescents and young adults, as well as the co-consumption of cocaine with other substances, demonstrate the importance of extensive surveillance of cocainerelated injuries and poisonings and the implementation of evidence-based public health interventions.

Acute injury or illness related to the inhalation of vaping aerosols among children and adolescents across Canada: A cross-sectional survey of Canadian paediatricians.

Background: Vaping prevalence rates have increased among Canadian youth. Evidence suggests that vaping poses significant health risks to children and adolescents. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to investigate epidemiological characteristics of acute injury/illness cases due to the inhalation of vaping aerosols among children and adolescents across Canada and to explore factors contributing to severe cases. Methods: Data from the 2019 Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program cross-sectional survey on vaping-related injury/illness were used. Analyses focused on injury/illness cases (n=71) among children and adolescents aged 0 to 17 years who presented to participating paediatricians for a harm related to the inhalation of vaping aerosols. We conducted descriptive analyses and performed logistic regression to explore associations between severe presentations requiring hospitalization or intensive care unit (ICU) admission and selected case characteristics. Results: Of the 71 reported injury/illness cases related to inhalation of vaping aerosols, 56% of patients were male, and 68% were aged 15 to 17 years. Nicotine vaping was reported in 42% of cases, and cannabis vaping in 24%. Fifty-four per cent presented with respiratory distress, 18% with symptoms of nicotine toxicity, and 41% required hospitalization and/or admission to the ICU. Cases presenting with respiratory distress were more likely to be hospitalized/admitted to the ICU (odds ratio [OR]=5.37, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.76 to 16.39). Conclusions: The inhalation of vaping aerosols among children and adolescents may contribute to acute injury/illness. Clear associations between study variables and severe cases could not be established due to a small sample size. Additional research is needed to determine predictors and preventable risk factors of severe vaping-related injuries.

Health seeking behaviour among Lebanese population: A highlight on seeking care from pharmacists.

BACKGROUND: Understanding health-seeking behaviour could significantly reduce the impact of illness on patients' lives. Fragmentation of the Lebanese healthcare system and presence of variability in socio-economic factors have affected some aspects of the Lebanese population's overall health seeking behaviour. One of these aspects is seeking diagnosis from pharmacists, which is prohibited by the Lebanese law but reinforced by the absence of supervision of concerned authorities. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the Lebanese population's knowledge, attitude, and practice towards seeking health care from pharmacists, exploring particularly the practice of seeking diagnosis from pharmacists. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted by surveying a convenient sample of 493 participants across the eight governorates of Lebanon between July and October 2016. A self-administered questionnaire was used. Questions assessed the health care seeking behaviour of the participants. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the study participants (63.9%) did not have a general practitioner whom they visit regularly. Nearly half of the participants (48.9%) reported seeking diagnosis from pharmacists. Noteworthy, seeking diagnosis from pharmacists' behaviour declined significantly with having a general practitioner visited regularly. More than half of participants (59.5%) believed that dealing with emergencies is among the pharmacists' duties. In addition, 62.8% perceived that pharmacists are 'often/always' capable of managing common complaints. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that a significant proportion of the Lebanese population seek a diagnosis from pharmacists and a significant proportion of them have a misconception about the role of pharmacists in the Lebanese healthcare system.

Strengthening surveillance of consumer products in Canada: the vaping example. / Renforcer la surveillance des produits de consommation au Canada : l'exemple du vapotage.

INTRODUCTION: The overall objective of this study was to demonstrate how information collected by the Consumer Product Safety Program ("the Program") can be used to identify emerging hazards. Specifically, this study characterized and quantified trends associated with vaping reports received by the Program over the past five years. METHODS: Data collated by the Program were extracted for the period from 1 January, 2015 to 30 September, 2019. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics and trends were quantified for annual percent change. In order to compare characteristics of vaping reports, the proportionate injury ratios (PIRs) and corresponding 95% CIs were used to compare vaping-related injuries to all other reports received by the Program. RESULTS: A total of 71 vaping-related reports were received between 1 January, 2015 and 30 September, 2019. During this period, the annual percent change increase in the number of reports received was approximately 73% annually (p < .05). Among the reported injuries, 41% were burn injuries. Proportionally, there were more vaping reports involving males (PIR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.51-2.36) and individuals between the ages of 15 and 19 years (PIR = 11.53; 95 % CI: 4.95-26.8) as compared to all other reports submitted to the Program. CONCLUSIONS: While the number of reports relating to vaping products is small, the results of this analysis suggest that certain groups, including males and youth, are more likely to be the subject of a vaping-related incident.