Assessing social accountability perspectives among Syrian medical students: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Social accountability (SA) within medical education signifies a commitment to address critical regional, societal, and national issues through educational, research, and service activities. In resource-limited regions, marginalized communities face barriers to accessing quality healthcare, and the concept of SA is often poorly understood by students. This study aims to investigate the perspectives, awareness, and comprehension of Syrian medical students regarding the concepts and principles of SA. METHODS: This cross-sectional online study was conducted in Syria from June 1st to July 25th, 2023, to assess the perspectives on SA among medical students enrolled in pre-clinical and clinical phases from the 3rd to the 6th year, encompassing both stream I and stream II. The questionnaire included three parts: consent and introduction, socio-demographic data, and a 12-item survey assessing social accountability. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 24 (SPSS 24). RESULTS: A total of 1312 medical students (62.3% females vs. 37.7% males) participated in our analysis. Less than half of the participants (45.7%) reported that their institution had a limited social mission statement regarding the communities they serve. However, only 39.6% reported that their curriculum partially reflected the needs of the population they serve. A mere 7.5% and 6.8% of respondents indicated that their school had excellent community partners and stakeholders shaping their institution, and they learned significantly about other cultures and social circumstances in the medical context through their curriculum. About 24.1% reported that their institution required them to engage in a substantial amount of community-based learning, and 37.4% believed that their class reflected a good representation of socio-demographic characteristics of the reference population. A significant portion of the participants (44.3%) stated that their school did not encourage them to pursue generalist specialties, and 12.7% felt that their institution did not have a positive impact on the community. Among the included participants, 45.8% had some level of SA status, while 37.7% indicated good SA status. Age, gender, and the phase of study were the only sociodemographic characteristics statistically associated with SA status (p-value < 0.05). The association between the 12 items determining SA and the year of study was statistically significant for seven items (p-value < 0.05). However, adjusted logistic regression revealed no significant correlation between predicting SA status and sociodemographic factors (p-value > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study underscores the significant influence of clinical experience and gender on Syrian medical students' perceptions of SA. To enhance these perceptions, medical institutions should tailor support services for different stages of training and target initiatives to engage male students.

Evaluating knowledge, practice, and attitude of Syrian population on sexually transmitted infections and human immunodeficiency virus.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause severe and fatal complications; knowledge about these diseases is essential for promoting safe sex practices and modifying behaviours that are harmful to one's health. This study investigates Syrian people's understanding, attitudes, and behaviors towards HIV/AIDS and STIs, aiming to identify factors promoting safe sex practices and modifying harmful behaviors. METHODS: This online cross-sectional study was conducted in Syria between 3 September and 23 November 2022, involving all 18+ individuals. The questionnaire was adapted from a previous study containing 74 questions from five sections: socio-demographic information, knowledge and practice regarding STIs, knowledge and practice regarding HIV/AIDS, attitude towards HIV/AIDS, and attitude regarding STIs and analyzed using descriptive and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The study involved 1073 participants mostly aged between 18-30, with 55.3% females. Over half had good awareness of STIs and HIV/AIDS, with 55% and 63% respectively. Specifically, the overall knowledge level of STI type, signs/symptoms, risks of transmission, preventive methods, and complications for untreated STIs were (45.7%), (52.9%), (58.1%), (66.1%), and (59.6%), respectively. Medical field respondents had higher knowledge of HIV (P-value < 0.05, OR = 2). CONCLUSION: Our results show that Syrian people have a knowledge level of STIs and HIV was moderate. However, the attitude toward STIs was negative, as less than half of the participants had a good attitude. It is essential to solve these knowledge gaps, especially in low-income countries such as Syria.

Knowledge and Attitude of Healthcare Providers Regarding Palliative Care and Related Factors: An Online Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care alleviates pain and enhances the quality of life of patients with life-threatening illnesses. Training programs are required to provide patients with proper care and advance their health because the expertise of healthcare personnel in palliative care is inadequate. AIM: We aimed to assess healthcare professionals' knowledge of palliative care because palliative care programs are infrequently used in Syria. METHODS: An online cross-sectional study was conducted between July 24, 2022, and August 28, 2022, to assess palliative care knowledge and applications among Syrian healthcare workers. The study questionnaire was designed in accordance with a previous study, and the inclusion criteria included Syrian healthcare workers, physicians, and nurses, as well as medical and nursing students. The first section of the questionnaire included sociodemographic information, while the second, third, and fourth sections assessed healthcare workers' experiences, knowledge, and attitudes toward palliative care, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 602 participants, 66.2% of the sample study were females. The majority of the respondents (72.9%) were medical students, with 18.8% residents and 8.3% nurses or nursing students. The majority of the participants (84%) correctly answered the question about pain treatment goals, while only a small percentage (5.3%) correctly answered the question about whether long-term opioid use was addictive. There were no statistically significant differences in the overall knowledge levels across demographic areas, genders, or specialties. Only 14 participants were considered knowledgeable about palliative care. Regarding attitudes toward palliative care, the three responses that received the greatest degree of agreement were "Pain relievers should be given as needed to terminally ill patients" (89.7%) and "Patients have the right to determine their own degree of psychosocial intervention" (81%). Residents in urban and rural areas scored markedly different in their attitudes. Students in their fifth year were 8.06 times more likely to have a positive attitude when compared to those in their first year. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that Syrian healthcare providers lack knowledge of palliative care. It is important to integrate palliative care into Syria's healthcare system to enhance the quality of life of patients who are approaching the end of their lives and to provide care for those who require it.

Emergency Contraception Knowledge, Attitudes, and Barriers Among Men: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Emergency contraception (EC) plays a pivotal role in the prevention of unintended pregnancies following unprotected sexual intercourse. Men's awareness regarding emergency contraception is pivotal for informed decision-making and for enhancing reproductive health in this context. This study investigated Syrian men's awareness and perspectives on emergency contraception to inform diverse reproductive health initiatives. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in Syria, from June 2022 and April 2023. Our study included male participants aged 18 years or older who held Syrian nationality and volunteered to participate. The data collection involved administering a questionnaire comprising three sections (knowledge, attitude, and barrier assessment), encompassing a total of 30 questions. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY). Results Most participants were aged 18-25 (65.7%) and single (75.4%) and held a university degree (79.3%). The knowledge of emergency contraception was low (36.1%), with the Internet and social media (77.5%) being the primary sources of information. While 89% held positive attitudes toward emergency contraception, only 37.3% supported nonprescription availability. Age, income, and desire for children were associated with knowledge, attitudes, and the use of emergency contraception. Men aged 26-35 exhibited the highest positive attitude (8.11±1.83). Those desiring no children showed higher attitude scores (7.42±2.04). Income was positively associated with knowledge (adjusted odds ratio {AOR}=1.75 and confidence interval {CI}=1.02-2.99) and emergency contraception use (AOR=2.87 and CI=1.27-6.48). Conclusion This study underscores the knowledge gap regarding emergency contraception in Syrian men. Despite positive attitudes, awareness remains limited, particularly among those of childbearing age. Targeted education and improved accessibility to emergency contraception can enhance its use among men, particularly in those with low socioeconomic status and younger age groups.

Traumatic occult pneumothorax and ipsilateral hydatid cyst: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic pneumothorax is a common chest condition that can be caused by a chest trauma. Hydatid cysts are also common, especially in Syria, and is caused by Echinococcus granulosis infection. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of mutual presentation of pneumothorax and a large Hydatid cyst on the same chest side in an 18 years-old patient who got stabbed in the chest. The chest x-ray reveled well-defined, homogeneous radio-opacity lesion that is consistent with Hydatid cyst but no pneumothorax was observed. Later, the chest CT showed a small pneumothorax that coexist with the Hydatid cyst. The case was treated conservatively and the patient survived. DISCUSSION: Some studies support treating asymptomatic trauma patients with occult PT with observation and placing a chest tube if still asymptomatic. Our case questions the management protocol for such a rare encounter as the stability status of the patient was poor, and there was a large hydatid cyst close to the chest wall. CONCLUSION: Physicians should be aware of the possible management solutions when dealing with similar cases, especially in emergency settings. Until clear guidelines are published for this matter, we recommend that high-level observation of the patient's vitals are the determining factor for suitable intervention.

Cryoprecipitate and platelets-rich-plasma as a combined assisted therapy for burns: A promoted case series for future trials.

INTRODUCTION: In this paper, we present the first application of split-thickness skin autografts soaked in a combination of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and cryoprecipitate for four cases of second and third-degree burns. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe four cases of second and third-degree burns in males aged 35, 10, 24, and 5 years, respectively. The total body surface area (TBSA) affected in these cases ranged from 10 % to 35 %. The burn areas included the entire upper and lower back, the lower limbs, and the head, with involvement of the outer table of the calvarium according to Harrison's classification. To expedite wound healing, we applied split-thickness autografts soaked in a mixture of cryoprecipitate and PRP. Additionally, we covered the grafts with dressings soaked in the same mixture, resulting in successful graft acceptance and improved burn healing. DISCUSSION: Skin wound healing involves increased angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, and modulation of inflammation. PRP has been shown to enhance re-epithelialization, a crucial process in skin wound healing. However, there is a lack of studies on the role of cryoprecipitate in re-epithelialization. Therefore, we propose the use of autologous skin grafts soaked in a combination of cryoprecipitate and PRP to expedite healing. CONCLUSION: This case series demonstrates that the use of split-thickness autografts soaked in a mixture of cryoprecipitate and PRP significantly improves and accelerates burn healing while contributing to acceptable graft outcomes.

Type 3 of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC-3): Case report.

Genetic testing should always be advised in both parents and children of families with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis as early detection will provide more options to a better qualitative life.

Large Gluteal Cystic Lesion in a Child: A Challenging Diagnosis of a Hydatid Cyst.

Early identification of asymptomatic hydatid cysts, produced by Echinococcus parasites in their larval form, is crucial due to their frequent late-stage diagnosis. Radiological imaging plays a significant role in early detection. These cysts mostly impact the liver and lungs but may manifest in other areas of the body, presenting distinct diagnostic difficulties. This case example emphasizes the need for using radiological imaging and maintaining a high level of suspicion when it comes to identifying hydatid cysts in young patients. We present an exceptional case of a three-year-old child in good health who developed a painless gluteal enlargement that resulted in constipation. An abdominal CT scan detected a hydatid cyst located posterior to the bladder, along with an accompanying hepatic cyst. The diagnosis was confirmed by a positive Weinberg test, and the treatment consisted of a 28-day course of albendazole. The key takeaway from this case report is that prompt diagnosis and radiological imaging play a critical role in instances of hydatid cysts.

Sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema following pacemaker insertion.

Key Clinical Message: Sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema (SCAPE) complicating pacemaker implantation is a very uncommon and dangerous occurrence. Following pacemaker implantation, patients need stringent monitoring, and compelling evidence about SCAPE treatment is required. Abstract: Sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema complicating a pacemaker insertion as the case in our patient is extremely rare. We report a case of 75-year-old man with a complete AV block, which requires urgent pacemaker implantation. Half an hour following the insertion of the pacemaker, an abrupt SCAPE emerged and the patient was incubated immediately.

Monkeypox in Syria: Highlighting an awareness issue.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) verified 780 cases of monkeypox across 27 countries between 13 May 2022 and 2 June 2022. The aim of our study was to assess the level of awareness of human monkeypox virus among Syrian medical students, general practitioners, medical residents, and specialists. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was performed in Syria between May 2 and September 8, 2022. The survey consisted of 53 questions within the following three categories: demographic information, work-related details, and monkeypox knowledge. Results: In total, 1257 Syrian healthcare workers and medical students were enrolled in our study. The animal host and incubation time for monkeypox were correctly identified by just 2.7% and 33.3% of responders, respectively. Sixty percent of the study sample thought that the symptoms of monkeypox and smallpox are identical. No statistically significant associations were found between predictor variables and knowledge regarding monkeypox (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion: Education and awareness regarding monkeypox vaccinations are of paramount importance. It is essential that clinical doctors are adequately aware of this disease, in order to avoid an uncontrolled situation, as experienced with COVID-19.

Attitude of Syrian medical specialty trainees toward providing health care services to patients with mental disorders.

BACKGROUND: The stigma associated with mental diseases in the healthcare system and among healthcare professionals has been identified as a significant barrier to treatment and rehabilitation and to the provision of substandard physical care for persons with mental illnesses. The goal of this study is to assess the attitude of physicians in Syria towards individuals with mental health disorders. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among phyisicians in Syria to evaluate their attitudes toward patients with mental health disorders and their provided treatment in the time period between August 16 and October 1, 2022. The questionnaire for the study was developed based on previous research, and the inclusion criteria for the sample were all medical specialist trainees from all specialties and residents who had direct contact with people suffering from mental health disorders. The questionnaire was divided into two sections; the first included sociodemographic data on the participants and the second assessed physician's attitudes toward mental illness patients. With the IBM SPSS V. 28.0 package tool (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA), descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: 539 medical residents participated in this research; their average age was 26.11 (+- 1.74) years, and 50.27% were males. City residents had the highest stigma score on the third question (2.66 ± 1.06, P value < 0.05) in the 'social distance' domain. The mean stigma scores for these three items in the recovery area were (2.76 ± 1.15, 2.51 ± 0.92, and 3.73 ± 0.83), respectively, for city residents. In the 'social distance' domain, the stigma score of two questions (the first and fourth questions) was associated with the resident's specialty, with dermatology residents having the highest mean score in both questions (mean = 3.6 ± 1.12, 3.43 ± 1.19, respectively). Only the second item in the 'Detection' domain was scored higher (mean = 3.850.81) by surgery residents than other residents. The stigma in the 'Recovery' domain was greatest among dermatology residents (mean = 3.710.94) than among other residents. There was a statistically significant relationship between residency and the Detection stigma scale (p = 0.03, Adj R2 = 0.008). There was a moderate correlation (Adj R2 = 0.048) between the Recovery scale and three of the six predictors (location, marital status, and the number of years living in the current residence). Two demographic factors (country of residence and marital status) were significantly correlated (p0.05) with the Social Responsibility Scale, and the Adjusted R-Squared Value was 0.006. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate substantial stigma among resident physicians who treat patients with mental illnesses, which might negatively impact both the efficacy of therapy and the phyisician's mental health. It is important to educate medical residents on mental health issues so that they can treat their patients appropriately. It is suggested that mental health concerns be included in the curriculum of residency programs for physicians so that they have adequate perspectives and attitudes about treating these patients.

Public Attitudes Towards COVID-19, Antibiotic Resistance, Preventive Measures: A Multi Center Cross-Sectional Study in the Arab Countries.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: COVID-19 has shown how crucial awareness of the need to protect public health is to global security. Antibiotic resistance due to antibiotic misuse is seen as a worldwide health issue. Antibiotic use was significant during the COVID-19 epidemic, according to several nations. This research aims to investigate public attitudes on COVID-19, antibiotic resistance, and preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Middle East. METHODS: An online quantitative cross-sectional study in 17 Arabic nations was carried out between January 3 and March 4, 2022, using a structured questionnaire to evaluate participants' knowledge of COVID-19, their attitudes toward the new standard during the pandemic, and their use of antibiotics, and their resistance to them. The research was available to all Arabic people over 18 nations in the middle east. A convenient snowball sampling technique was used. SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze the data. To analyze the results, binominal logistic regression was utilized. Statistical significance was defined as a p value of 0.05. RESULTS: Of the 6145 responders, 24.1% believed COVID-19 might spread to asymptomatic people, whereas 13.6% thought using antibiotics would accelerate recovery from any illness. Moreover, half of the respondents said antibiotics only work against bacteria (64.6%). 70.8% of participants adopted the necessary safety measures. More than a third of respondents strongly supported placing foreign immigrants in quarantine (33%). However, more than 50% of those surveyed (52.5%) firmly supported using face masks in all public settings. Individuals with a medical education background had 2.6 times more appropriate understanding of antibiotic resistance than others. Furthermore, participants in the 30-49 age range had a better handle on the use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance than other respondents by 1.1 times. CONCLUSION: Arab Health authorities should reconsider this health issue as soon about the inadequate level of awareness toward antibiotic use, resistance, and preventative practices during COVID-19. Many suggested strategies, especially solving the irregular antibiotic prescriptions during a COVID19 pandemic, should be implemented to increase public awareness of COVID19.

Correction: Stigmatizing attitudes towards depression among university students in Syria.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273483.].

Stage IV uterine leiomyosarcoma resection: A case report.

We present a case of stage IV uterine leiomyosarcoma that was treated with total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and extensive resection of a 14 kg abdominal mass, as well as complete eradication of accompanying symptoms. This case may prompt researchers to look for other surgical solutions to similar issues.

Tonic non-colonic convulsions-status epilepticus- as the presenting complaint of COVID-19.

Introduction: COVID19 might present as neurological symptoms including headaches, dizziness, anosmia, stroke, and loss of consciousness. Cases with severe COVID-19 are more likely to be complicated by neurological symptoms, but tonic non-colonic convulsion is still a rare presentation of COVID19 as an initial symptom. Case presentation: A 23-years old male presented to the ambulance with a complaint of loss of consciousness for more than 1 h and tonic convulsions without clonic movements. The investigations including computed tomography for the brain and chest and lumbar puncture were within normal range and the diagnostic workup concluded that COVID-19 is the cause of the status epilepticus. Discussion: Our case demonstrates a tonic non-clonic convulsion as a possible complication for COVID-19 infection as some respiratory viruses can cause neurological symptoms. After excluding the co-incidence of other pathological etiologies, we highly suspect that the seizures in our case are generated by COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: This case represents a rare case in the literature review which can increase the awareness of tonic non-clonic seizures and other neurological manifestations as the presenting symptom of the COVID19.

Successful management of scalp avulsion with full-thickness graft.

Scalp avulsion injuries are one of the life-threatening traumatic injuries. Rapid management in the emergency department is vital to the successful rescue of an avulsed scalp. There are many replantation methods to treat scalp avulsion, so the best aesthetic and functional results are achieved. Skin grafting, free flaps, microvascular surgery, and hyperbaric oxygen are all suitable for reconstructive plans. We report a rare case of a scalp avulsion injury in a female due to an entanglement of a headscarf in a motorized machine resulting in defects and tissue loss of the hair-bearing skin, nasal area, forehead, left ear, and bilateral eyelids and eyebrows. Preoperative management included early blood transfusion, intravenous fluids, and wound compression after rapid physical examination. Reconstructive surgery was performed using a full-thickness skin graft and the outcomes were pristine. There are no clear guidelines to determine which reconstructive method is superior to another in each condition. Our case demonstrates that relatively primitive methods like skin grafting can give greater results if done with circumspection.

Pena-Shokeir syndrome's first case report from Syria.

Pena-Shokeir syndrome is considered to be a fatal congenital condition that is rarely diagnosed in neonates. We present the first-ever reported case of Pena-Shokeir syndrome from Syria. Clinical assessment and early prenatal diagnosis are both needed to give the mother and baby more realistic options.

Cerebrovascular accident after transurethral resection of the prostate: A rare complication.

INTRODUCTION: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is considered a worldwide disease among males in middle age. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a wide used intervention for this condition. A few reports mentioned cerebrovascular accidents after TURP. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 65-year-old male presented with recurrent urinary retention in the past two years. Clinical examination showed a full urinary bladder with abdominal discomfort. Abdominal ultrasound revealed an enlarged prostate (90 ml) with approximately 500 ml of urine. After that, we performed transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The surgery was uneventful. After three days of discharge, he presented with a loss of vision in the left eye and left lower limb pain. Computed tomography of the brain showed right occipital lobe infarction. Ultrasound of the left lower limb revealed deep venous thrombosis. Echocardiography showed a patent foramen ovale. As a result, he had deep venous thrombosis with patent foramen ovale that led to infarction. We started with anticoagulants for two weeks. Later, he reclaimed his vision completely. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Cerebral vascular accidents are a rare complication of transurethral resection of the prostate. Early recognition and diagnosis of this condition will lead to good results. Searching for cardiac anomalies is the first step to reaching the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Urologists should suspect cardiac anomalies in patients who underwent TURP surgery and develop cerebrovascular accidents. Collaboration with other specialties is considered basic to help with this complication.

Corrigendum: Attitude of Syrian students toward GAD patients: An online cross-sectional study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.955321.].