Medical students' knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to substance use in Lebanon: a cross-sectional survey.

The study aims were to explore the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of Lebanese medical students related to substance use and to determine prevalence and psychosocial predictors. A cross-sectional survey of 231 medical students (48.6% male; 53.1% preclinical, 46.9% clinical) was conducted during June 2012-July 2013. The questionnaire addressed knowledge and attitudes about substance use, religiosity, depression, anxiety and demographic characteristics. The knowledge score was 52.7% (standard deviation 14.4%), and was significantly lower in 2nd year students (48.53%) than in 3rd and 4th year students (57.5% and 57.4%) (P < 0.05). Students reported more training in drug abuse than alcohol abuse (38.2% vs. 34.4%). One-fourth reported smoking, 57.7% using alcohol and 46.8% using drugs. Significant predictors of lower substance use included intrinsic religiosity and interest in working in the field. The findings reveal inadequate knowledge and considerable substance use in Lebanese medical students. Therefore, training in substance use and counseling of students are necessary.

Mild Cognitive Impairment and modifiable risk factors among Lebanese older adults in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is an intermediate state between normal cognition and dementia. Identification of MCI and associated risk factors is important for early intervention. This study investigated the prevalence of MCI among Lebanese older adults and associated risk factors in primary care. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, 337 adults aged 60 years and older met inclusion criteria and were recruited at a primary care clinic associated with a tertiary medical center in Beirut, Lebanon. The validated Arabic version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the 5-item Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale were administered. Data about sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics was obtained. RESULTS: There was no difference in the mean age between those with normal cognition and those with MCI (mean age 70.38 ± 7.4 and 72.12 ± 7.6 years, respectively). The prevalence of MCI was 14.8% (50 out of 337), 42% were males and 58% were women. Participants having more than 12 years of education (OR = 0.297; CI = 0.112-0.788; P = 0.015) were less likely to have MCI. Participants with history of smoking (OR = 2.599; CI = 1.266-5.339; P = 0.012) or at risk of depression (OR = 2.847; CI = 1.392-5.819; P = 0.004) were more likely to have MCI. CONCLUSION: Identification of patients with history of smoking and at risk of depression may serve as an opportunity to offer intensive counseling and targeted treatment to delay the onset or progression of MCI to Alzheimer's disease.

A Model of Academic, Personality, and Emotion-Related Predictors of University Academic Performance.

This paper investigates the relationships between personality (i.e., trait Emotional Intelligence - trait EI - and the Big Five) and academic performance (AP). Academic motivation, procrastination, and major satisfaction were also studied. The sample consisted of 201 Lebanese undergraduates. The model represented a good fit. There was a negative direct effect of procrastination on AP and positive direct effects of major satisfaction and absorption on AP. Trait EI showed a negative direct effect on procrastination and a positive direct effect on major satisfaction, which, in turn, significantly predicted AP. Also, conscientiousness indirectly predicted AP, via procrastination, major satisfaction, and absorption. Findings point at individual differences contributing to AP and can be helpful to students, educators, and counselors in higher education.