Smoking cessation rate and predictors of successful quitting in Jordan: A cross-sectional study.

Tobacco smoking in Jordan is the highest in the Middle East, with health consequences and economic burdens. Smoking cessation improves health and grows the economy. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of smoking cessation in Jordan and to identify the determinants of effective quitting. This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey directed towards the general population of Jordan. The questionnaire was formulated in Arabic and inquired about sociodemographic factors, health status, behaviors, smoking habits, previous quitting attempts, utilization of smoking cessation services, attitudes towards quitting, and barriers to quitting. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 25. A total of 463 participants were included in this study. Twenty-one percent of them were ex-smokers (n = 97), 86% were male, 63.3% were from the middle governorates, and 29.2% were 24 years old or younger. The rate of sustained quitting for at least 3 months among participants was 13.6%. The factors associated with successful quitting included age > 50 years (P = .001), practicing regular physical activity (P = .003), using more than 1 tobacco product (P = .000), smoking waterpipes or e-cigarettes (P = .000 and .015, respectively), lower levels of nicotine dependence (P = .009), duration of smoking (P = .000), higher number of smoking cessation attempts (P = .000), having 1 or more chronic diseases (P = .049), and having DM (P = .003). More than half of the ex-smokers needed 2 to 5 attempts before successfully quitting smoking. There was a low rate of utilization of smoking cessation services and medications in both groups. On the other hand, there is a high rate of use of other smoking methods, particularly waterpipes and e-cigarettes, as an aid for quitting. Current smokers reported being in a stressful situation as a barrier to quitting significantly more often than did ex-smokers (P = .013). Both groups had moderately positive attitudes toward quitting. Ex-smokers had significantly better attitudes toward their ability to manage stress, weight gain, and increased appetite after quitting (P = .004, .004, and .007, respectively). This study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of smoking behavior, cessation attempts, and attitudes. These findings can inform the development of targeted smoking cessation programmes and policies.

Energy drink consumption among medical students in Jordan - prevalence, attitudes, and associated factors: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Energy drinks (ED) are popular beverages that contain high levels of caffeine, sugar, and other supplements, such as vitamins, which are marketed to enhance mental alertness and physical performance. Studies have shown that energy drink consumption is prevalent among medical students. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence, attitudes, and factors associated with energy drink consumption among medical students in Jordan. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students from six public universities in Jordan. A total of 307 students were included in the study, and data were collected using an expert-validated questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: The study found that 50% of the sample had consumed ED, half of them started consuming them at the age of 16-18, and learned about them from friends. The primary reasons for consuming ED were to stay awake at night and the majority of them increase their consumption during exams to increase alertness. Regular energy drink consumption was significantly associated with being a student at the university located in the south governorate of Jordan (P=0.021), living alone (P=0.000), drinking alcohol (P=0.049), drinking coffee daily (P=0.043), and consuming more than 10 cans of soft drinks weekly (P=0.001). However, sex, age, academic achievement, and smoking status had no significant association with regular energy drink consumption. Students with regular energy drink consumption experienced daytime sleepiness, decreased concentration, fatigue, and reduced performance more than students with no regular energy drink consumption. Conclusion: The prevalence of energy drink consumption among medical students in Jordan is high, with factors such as social influences, lifestyle behaviors, and academic pressure being significant contributors. This study highlights the need for interventions to promote healthy behaviors and raise awareness about the potential harms of ED among medical students.