Co-occurrence of problematic facebook and video game use: prevalence and association with mental health disorders among adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: The rapid proliferation of technology and its impact on adolescents' lives have raised concerns about addictive behaviors and its potential consequences, including behavioral and mental health problems. This study investigates the prevalence and risk factors associated with the co-occurrence of Problematic Facebook Use and Problematic Video game Use among Tunisian adolescents. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a cross-sectional study in the urban area of Sousse governorate in Tunisia during the 2018/2019 school year. We selected a representative sample of high school students enrolled in public educational institutions in Sousse. Data collection was performed through a self-administered structured questionnaire, which gathered information on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and mental health disorders. Problematic Facebook Use was assessed using the validated Arabic version of the Bergen Scale, while Problematic Video Game Use was measured using the 21-point Lemmens Scale, which was translated into Arabic. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SPSS program (version 20). RESULTS: We enrolled a total of 1342 high school students in our study, of whom, 63.2% were female with a mean age of 17.5 ± 1.44 years. The prevalence of Problematic Facebook Use and Problematic Video Game Use was  28.3% and  13% respectively. Regarding the co-occurrence of the two problematic behaviors, 31.3% of participants faced a singular addictive behavior, either related to problematic Facebook or video game use, while 5% had both addictive behaviors simultaneously. In a multivariate analysis, risk factors for the co-occurrence of Problematic Facebook and Video Game Use, in decreasing order of significance, included severe depression (AOR = 4.527; p = 0.003), anxiety (AOR = 4.216; p = 0.001), male gender (AOR = 4.130; p < 0.001), problematic internet use (AOR = 3.477; p = 0.006), as well as moderate depression (AOR = 3.048; p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Our study found that Problematic Facebook and Video Game Use were prevalent among Tunisian adolescents. The co-occurrence of these disorders is strongly linked to male gender, problematic internet use, depression, and anxiety disorders. These findings underscore the urgency of implementing tailored and effective awareness and prevention programs to address these emerging challenges.

Screening and health education practices related to cardiovascular risk factors among adults: results of a households survey in Sousse, Tunisia.

In Tunisia, despite the implementation of national strategies to prevent some of cardiovascular risk factors, these diseases still represent the leading cause of death. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and assess the screening and health education practices related to these factors among the adults of Sousse (Tunisia). A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1000 households in Sousse, Tunisia. To collect data, a team of trained medical doctors administered by interview a pre-tested questionnaire and performed blood pressure and anthropometric measures at the participants' homes. In total, 1977 adults participated in the study. Their mean age was 39.8 (± 13.8) years. The Females/Males sex ratio was 1.5. Weight excess and lack of physical activity were found in 65.4% and 60.7% of participants. Screening for obesity and android obesity were reported by 36.6% and 5.7% of health services users. Advices from a healthcare professional to practice the recommended physical activity and eat healthily were reported by less than a third of these latter. Screening and health education practices related to cardiovascular risk factors should be reinforced in the Tunisian healthcare facilities. The implementation of multisectoral actions is necessary at the national level in order to obtain an environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Surveillance of tobacco use among young adolescents: trends and predictors across three years in Sousse, Tunisia.

BACKGROUND: In developed countries, there was an overall decrease in tobacco use over the last decades. In Tunisia, a national strategy to reduce tobacco use was set up since 2008. However, this strategy was rarely evaluated. The objective of the current study was to examine the trends in tobacco use among the middle schoolchildren of the governorate of Sousse (Tunisia) between 2014 and 2016 and to determine predictors of its experimentation. METHODS: Three cross-sectional studies were conducted in 2014, 2015 and 2016 school years among middle schoolchildren randomly selected from the governorate of Sousse-Tunisia. The required sample size for each study was 760 participants. Each year, the same procedure was used to recruit pupils from the same middle schools. The same pre-established and pre-tested questionnaire was self-administered anonymously to participants in their classrooms. RESULTS: Lifetime tobacco use rose from 11% in 2014 to 17.3% in 2016 (p = 0.001). Across the 3 years of survey, predictors of lifetime tobacco use were: The male sex (OR, 95% CI: 4.4 [3.2-6.1]), age above 13 (OR, 95% CI: 2.3 [1.7-3.1]), lifetime illicit substances use (OR, 95% CI: 3.9 [1.1- 13.8), lifetime inhalant products use (OR, 95% CI: 2.2 [1.2-4.3]), tobacco use among the father (OR, 95% CI: 2.2 [1.2-4.3]), tobacco use among siblings (OR, 95% CI: 1.7 [1.2-2.4]) and current anxiety symptoms (OR, 95% CI: 1.8 [1.4-2.4]). CONCLUSION: Lifetime tobacco use is in expansion among the young adolescents of Sousse. The current national tobacco prevention program should be strengthened and expanded to cover other substances use issues with emphasis on secondhand smoking and mental health problems.

Studying SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy among health professionals in Tunisia.

BACKGROUND: People's lives were seriously affected by the emergence and the spread of the COVID-19 disease. Several vaccines were developed in record time to overcome this pandemic. However, putting an end to this public health problem requires substantial vaccination coverage rate. This latter depends on the acceptance of these vaccines especially by health professionals; the leaders of the current war against COVID-19. In fact, they have a central role in promoting vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2. In the developed countries, hesitancy rates towards these vaccines among health professionals vary from 4.3% to 72%. In the developing countries, few studies focused on this issue. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and the predictors of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy among the Tunisian health professionals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was led online between the 7th and the 21th of January 2021 among Tunisian health professionals. At least 460 participants were required. Snowball sampling method served to recruit participants. Data were collected using a pre-established and pre-tested questionnaire recorded in a free Google form. The link of the questionnaire was disseminated online to be self-administered anonymously to the participants. The generated online Google Sheet was uploaded and exported to SPSS software for analysis. RESULTS: Of the 546 responses, 493 were retained. The mean age of participants was 37.4 (± 9.5) years. Females represented 70.2% of participants. Social media represented the most frequently used source of information about COVID-19. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy among participants was 51.9% (95% CI: 47.5-56.3)). Female sex, working far from the capital and having concerns about the vaccines components predicted more hesitancy among participants. In contrast, the use of the national COVID-19 information website predicted less hesitancy among them. CONCLUSIONS: The current Tunisian communication plan about COVID-19 vaccines must be reinforced. Social media represent a cost effective communication channel that can serve to reassure Tunisian health professionals regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Special interest should be paid to females, paramedical professionals and those working far from the capital.

Effective public health measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was recognized in Wuhan, China. It was characterised by rapid spread causing a pandemic. Multiple public health interventions have been implemented worldwide to decrease the transmission of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the implemented public health interventions to control the spread of the outbreak of COVID-19. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Science Direct and MedRxiv for relevant articles published in English up to March 16, 2021. We included quasi experimental studies, clinical trials, cohort studies, longitudinal studies, case-control studies and interrupted time series. We included the studies that investigated the effect of the implemented public health measures to prevent and control the outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). RESULTS: The database search using the predefined combinations of Mesh terms found 13,497 studies of which 3595 in PubMed, 7393 in Science Direct 2509 preprints in MedRxiv. After removal of the duplicates and the critical reading only 18 articles were included in this systematic review and processed for data extraction. CONCLUSIONS: Public health interventions and non-pharmaceutical measurements were effective in decreasing the transmission of COVID-19. The included studies showed that travel restrictions, borders measures, quarantine of travellers arriving from affected countries, city lockdown, restrictions of mass gathering, isolation and quarantine of confirmed cases and close contacts, social distancing measures, compulsory mask wearing, contact tracing and testing, school closures and personal protective equipment use among health workers were effective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

The incubation period during the pandemic of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to determine through a systematic review and meta-analysis the incubation period of COVID-19. It was conducted based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). Criteria for eligibility were all published population-based primary literature in PubMed interface and the Science Direct, dealing with incubation period of COVID-19, written in English, since December 2019 to December 2020. We estimated the mean of the incubation period using meta-analysis, taking into account between-study heterogeneity, and the analysis with moderator variables. RESULTS: This review included 42 studies done predominantly in China. The mean and median incubation period were of maximum 8 days and 12 days respectively. In various parametric models, the 95th percentiles were in the range 10.3-16 days. The highest 99th percentile would be as long as 20.4 days. Out of the 10 included studies in the meta-analysis, 8 were conducted in China, 1 in Singapore, and 1 in Argentina. The pooled mean incubation period was 6.2 (95% CI 5.4, 7.0) days. The heterogeneity (I2 77.1%; p < 0.001) was decreased when we included the study quality and the method of calculation used as moderator variables (I2 0%). The mean incubation period ranged from 5.2 (95% CI 4.4 to 5.9) to 6.65 days (95% CI 6.0 to 7.2). CONCLUSIONS: This work provides additional evidence of incubation period for COVID-19 and showed that it is prudent not to dismiss the possibility of incubation periods up to 14 days at this stage of the epidemic.

[Adverse events in a Tunisian university hospital: incidence and risk factors]. / Évènements indésirables dans un hôpital universitaire tunisien : incidence et facteurs de risque.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors of adverse events (AE) in a Tunisian university hospital. METHOD: We carried out a longitudinal observational study in 2016 over a period of 3 months in the Sahloul university hospital of Sousse, Tunisia. Data were collected using a pretested form filled by doctors previously trained in the collection methodology, upon each visit to all hospitalized patients. RESULTS: Overall, 1,357 patients were eligible. We identified 168 AEs in 131 patients with AEs incidence of 12.4% (95% CI: [7.41 – 17.38]), and patient incidence of 9.7% (95% CI: [4.63 – 14.76]). The incidence density of AEs was 1.8 events per 100 days of hospitalization. Hospital acquired infection and unplanned readmission related to previous healthcare management were the most common AEs (43.4 and 12.5% respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed as independent factors of AEs: surgery (P = 0.013; RR = 1.68; CI: [1.11-2.54]), the use of central-venous-catheter (P < 10–3; RR = 4.1 ; CI: [2.1-8]), tracheotomy (P = 0.001; RR = 21.8; CI: [3.7-127.8]), transfusion (P = 0.014; RR = 2.1; CI: [1.16-3.87]) and drug intake (P = 0.04; RR = 2.2; CI: [1.04-4.7]). CONCLUSION: The present study showed a high incidence of AEs and the involvement of invasive devices in their occurrence. Thus, targeted interventions are needed.

[Adverse events in a Tunisian university hospital: incidence and risk factor] / Évènements indésirables dans un hôpital universitaire tunisien : incidence et facteurs de risque.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors of adverse events (AE) in a Tunisian university hospital. METHOD: We carried out a longitudinal observational study in 2016 over a period of 3 months in the Sahloul university hospital of Sousse, Tunisia. Data were collected using a pretested form filled by doctors previously trained in the collection methodology, upon each visit to all hospitalized patients. RESULTS: Overall, 1,357 patients were eligible. We identified 168 AEs in 131 patients with AEs incidence of 12.4% (95% CI: [7.41 – 17.38]), and patient incidence of 9.7% (95% CI: [4.63 – 14.76]). The incidence density of AEs was 1.8 events per 100 days of hospitalization. Hospital acquired infection and unplanned readmission related to previous healthcare management were the most common AEs (43.4 and 12.5% respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed as independent factors of AEs: surgery (P = 0.013; RR = 1.68; CI: [1.11-2.54]), the use of central-venous-catheter (P < 10–3; RR = 4.1 ; CI: [2.1-8]), tracheotomy (P = 0.001; RR = 21.8; CI: [3.7-127.8]), transfusion (P = 0.014; RR = 2.1; CI: [1.16-3.87]) and drug intake (P = 0.04; RR = 2.2; CI: [1.04-4.7]). CONCLUSION: The present study showed a high incidence of AEs and the involvement of invasive devices in their occurrence. Thus, targeted interventions are needed.

Évènements indésirables dans un hôpital universitaire tunisien : incidence et facteurs de risque.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors of adverse events (AE) in a Tunisian university hospital. METHOD: We carried out a longitudinal observational study in 2016 over a period of 3 months in the Sahloul university hospital of Sousse, Tunisia. Data were collected using a pretested form filled by doctors previously trained in the collection methodology, upon each visit to all hospitalized patients. RESULTS: Overall, 1,357 patients were eligible. We identified 168 AEs in 131 patients with AEs incidence of 12.4% (95% CI: [7.41 - 17.38]), and patient incidence of 9.7% (95% CI: [4.63 - 14.76]). The incidence density of AEs was 1.8 events per 100 days of hospitalization. Hospital acquired infection and unplanned readmission related to previous healthcare management were the most common AEs (43.4 and 12.5% respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed as independent factors of AEs: surgery (P = 0.013; RR = 1.68; CI: [1.11-2.54]), the use of central-venous-catheter (P < 10-3; RR = 4.1 ; CI: [2.1-8]), tracheotomy (P = 0.001; RR = 21.8; CI: [3.7-127.8]), transfusion (P = 0.014; RR = 2.1; CI: [1.16-3.87]) and drug intake (P = 0.04; RR = 2.2; CI: [1.04-4.7]). CONCLUSION: The present study showed a high incidence of AEs and the involvement of invasive devices in their occurrence. Thus, targeted interventions are needed.

Validation of the Arabic version of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale in Tunisian adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Facebook is by far the most popular social network. Thus, it is important to use a valid measuring tool. This study aimed to validate an Arabic version of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS). METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among public secondary schools, within the city of Sousse, Eastern Tunisia over 2 months. Students completed self-administrated questionnaires. The revised test-retest version of the scale was given to a sample of ten pilot students in order to check the readability of the translation. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's alpha coefficient in order to assess the extent to which the BFAS items were interrelated. RESULTS: A total of 1399 participants took part in the study (60.5% females). Among 1353 students who are using Facebook, 71.8% had non-problematic use. The median score of addiction was 13 ranging from 6 to 30. The median time spent each day on Facebook was 3 h. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.87. Students with higher Facebook addiction scores were significantly more addicted to video games (p = 0.001), and more depressed (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The Arabic-BFAS is consistent as a screening test for Facebook addiction among secondary school students due to having good reliability and validity.

Smoking dependence and anxio-depressive disorders in Tunisian smokers attending the smoking cessation clinic in a university hospital.

BACKGROUND: Smokers with comorbid anxio-depressive disorders are more prone to progress to a more severe level of dependence and to experience more severe nicotine withdrawal symptoms than smokers without anxio-depressive disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the relationship between tobacco dependence and anxio-depressive disorders as well as assessing their impact on the withdrawal. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among attendees of the smoking cessation clinic of Sahloul University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia, from December 2009 to May 2015. The monitoring of the attendees was performed through retrieving the records until May 2016 in order to verify their smoking cessation status at 1 year. RESULTS: Overall, 534 smokers were included. We identified 315 smokers (59%) presenting an anxio-depressive disorder. Based on the HAD scale, we found 231 patients (43.4%) with anxiety disorders, 200 (37.6%) patients with depressive disorders, and 116 (21.8%) patients with anxio-depressive disorder. In multivariate analysis, only a high number of consultation was associated with a better rate of tobacco cessation at 6 months. However, no factor was found linked to the relapse at 1 year. CONCLUSION: According to our results, only a high number of consultation was revealed as an independent factor of withdrawal for anxio-depressed smokers. It is necessary to simultaneously use the nicotinic substitutions and anxio-depressive treatment to ensure the tobacco cessation.

Clustering of chronic diseases risk factors among adolescents: a quasi-experimental study in Sousse, Tunisia.

Background The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based physical activity and nutritional behavior intervention, on the reduction of clustering of chronic diseases risk factors among school children. Materials and methods A quasi-experimental school-based intervention was conducted with an intervention group and a control group in the region of Sousse in Tunisia. The intervention was implemented between 2010 and 2013, with data collected at pre and at post intervention. Studied risk factors were: smoking, sedentary behavior, low fruit and vegetable intake and obesity. Odds ratios (ORs) were used to calculate the clustering of two risk factors. We calculated ORs in each group before and after the intervention. Results In the intervention group, the prevalence of adolescents that had no risk factors has significantly increased (p = 0.004). In the control group the prevalence of adolescents carrying two or more risk factors has increased (p = 0.06). The results showed that all risk factors tended to cluster together in both groups. In the intervention group, the calculated OR for smoking and sedentary behavior decreased after assessment (OR = 5.93) as well as the OR for smoking and low fruit and vegetable intake (OR = 3.26). In the control group, all ORs increased, showing an enhancement of the association. Conclusion This study showed the effectiveness of a school-based intervention in reducing the clustering of chronic diseases risk factors.

Challenges and results of a school-based intervention to manage excess weight among school children in Tunisia 2012-2014.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a serious health issue and predisposes individuals to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Its prevalence in children has increased worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of a school-based management program based on healthy lifestyle promotion for obese and overweight adolescents in Sousse, Tunisia. METHODS: We conducted a quasi-experimental study among overweight and obese school children enrolled in 7th and 8th grades in Sousse, Tunisia with two groups, intervention and control. The 1-year intervention was based on promoting healthy eating and physical activity through a collective intervention for all recruited children and an individual intervention only for obese children who require intensive managing. Data collection was done before, at the end and at a 4-month follow up of the intervention, both in intervention and control groups. RESULTS: The body mass index Z score decreased significantly from pre-intervention to post-intervention (1.89±0.57 to 1.76±0.63, p<0.001) and from post-intervention to the follow-up (1.76±0.63 to 1.55±0.68, p<0.001) in the intervention group. In the control group, it decreased significantly from pre-intervention to post-intervention but not significantly from post-intervention to follow-up assessment. Calorie intake decreased significantly both in intervention and control groups. CONCLUSION: This project began with introducing a new culture of health management in schools on one side and with increasing awareness of the importance of obesity prevention and treatment. The support of authorities for this type of action is very important to guarantee its sustainability.

Socio-demographic association of non communicable diseases' risk factors in a representative population of school children: a cross-sectional study in Sousse (Tunisia).

INTRODUCTION: A better understanding of socio-demographic characteristics of subgroups, which have a high risk to develop chronic diseases, is essential to develop more efficient interventional programs especially for youth. This study aimed to determine the association between clusters of non communicable diseases (NCDs') risk factors and the socio-demographic characteristics among a sample of Tunisian school children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted, in 2013/2014, a cross-sectional study among a proportional and stratified school children sample, selected in 17 elementary public schools in Sousse (Tunisia). A cluster analysis was used to identify different NCDs risk factors clusters, based on tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and excess weight. Subsequent χ2-tests were used to identify differences between the NCDs risk factors clusters in regards to socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Four clusters of NCDs risk factors were found: 1) Cluster 1: physical inactivity behavior with normal weight, 2) Cluster 2: physical inactivity behavior associated to excess weight, 3) Cluster 3: unhealthy diet associated to excess weight and low practice of physical activity, and 4) Cluster 4: smoking behavior with physical activity behavior. The pattern of cluster membership differed across sex (<10-3), school level, and socioeconomic level (<10-3) but there was no significant difference between clusters for mother's education levels and household tenure. CONCLUSION: This study can have important implications for health policy and practice. Indeed, it found that many subjects have simultaneous multiple NCDs risk factors which leads to identify groups at risk and implement integrated intervention program.

Assessment of the validity of self-reported smoking status among schoolchildren in Sousse, Tunisia.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use, which begins in adolescence and childhood and continues in later life, is the major avoidable risk for non-communicable diseases and death in the world. Self-reports have frequently been used to estimate smoking prevalence and health consequences. This study explores the validity of self-reports of smoking behavior among schoolchildren in Tunisia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in March 2014 among a sample of 147 schoolchildren randomly selected. Data concerning the smoking habit were collected by a questionnaire designed for the purposes of this work. Then, exhaled CO, a biochemical marker of smoke exposure, was measured using piCO+ Smokerlyzer® breath CO monitor among participants. Sensitivity and specificity of self-reports were calculated. RESULTS: The prevalence of reported smoking was 9.5% with 16.7% and 1.7% respectively among boys and girls. Their mean age was 14.5±1.28 years old. When considering 4 ppm as the cut-off level of breath CO, sensitivity and specificity of self-reports were 100% and 93.7%, respectively. But at a breath CO cut-off of 3 ppm, self-reporting was 62.5% sensitive and 93.5% specific. CONCLUSION: According to our findings, we suggest that self-reports can be considered as a good tool to be used with a reasonable confidence to assess the smoking status.