A cross-sectional study of knowledge, attitude, behaviour and preventive measures for COVID-19 infection in Lebanon.

Background: The World Health Organization has often reiterated its recommendations for the prevention of COVID-19, however, the success of these measures largely depends on public knowledge and attitudes. Aims: This study assessed the relationship between knowledge, attitude, behaviour and preventive measures for COVID-19 infection in a Lebanese population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between September and October 2020 using the snowball sampling technique and an online self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire had 4 parts targeting sociodemographic characteristics; medical history; knowledge, attitude and practices (preventive measures and behaviours related to COVID-19); and mental health variables such as psychological distress. Two models were derived using multivariable binomial logistic regression to optimize the picture of COVID-19 correlates. Results: Our sample comprised 1119 adults. Being older, female, a regular alcohol consumer, waterpipe smoker, having low level of education, low family income, and having contact with a COVID-19 patient correlated with increased odds of ever having been diagnosed with COVID-19. Participants who had ever been diagnosed with COVID-19 had a significantly better knowledge and a higher risky practice scale [adjusted odds ratio (ORa) = 1.49; 95% CI 1.27-1.74; P < 0.001; and ORa = 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.08; P = 0.024, respectively]. Conclusion: The most important predictors of COVID-19 infection appear to be generally well-known among the general population, however, their knowledge and adherence to preventive measures should be continuously re-evaluated. This study highlights the need for greater awareness to improve precautionary behaviours among the public.

Assessment of COVID-19 vaccines acceptance in the Lebanese population: a national cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Vaccines have become the best weapon for epidemic prevention and control in the absence of standard approved effective therapies. However, skepticism about the vaccine efficacy and safety is constantly reported. To our knowledge, there has been no study assessing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Lebanon. The primary objective of this survey is to assess the COVID-19 vaccines' acceptance and its related determinants in the Lebanese population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lebanon from February 16 through February 25, 2021. Data was collected using an online questionnaire via social media platforms using the snowball technique. The questionnaire consisted of 47 questions related to sociodemographic and medical history, COVID-19 experience, knowledge, practice, and beliefs towards COVID-19 vaccines, including vaccines acceptance. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with vaccine acceptance. RESULTS: A total of 1209 questionnaires were completed; around 63.4% have reported their acceptance for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, while only 57% of participants registered themselves on the national platform. The multivariable analysis showed that a higher knowledge scale, living in an urban residential area, having hypertension, not having a food allergy, reporting a higher fear to experience COVID-19 infection, and receiving or wanting to receive influenza vaccine, were positive predictors of COVID-19 vaccines acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the need to improve knowledge about COVID-19 infection and vaccination through education and awareness programs. Specifically residents of rural areas should be targeted to optimize COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among the Lebanese population.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Health Conditions in Lebanese Community Setting.

BACKGROUND: The measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) provides utility scores that could be used for health economics assessment. The aim of this study was to measure HRQoL in Lebanese patients with certain medical conditions, and to determine demographic and medical factors affecting such health utility scores. METHOD: This was a prospective cross-sectional pilot study conducted to gather information on the socioeconomic status, health condition and quality of life of participants with common diseases during their community pharmacy visit. The EuroQol-5-Dimension instrument was used to measure utility scores and SPSS v26 was used to perform the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Participants (n = 102) gave an average of 6.8 and 7.4 out of 10 for their current health and for their satisfaction with their treatment, respectively. The mean utility score was 0.762 (SD 0.202). The number of prescribed medications per respondent indicated a significant impact on HRQoL (p = 0.002). On average, the utility scores were low for participants who were 75 years or older (0.15, p < 0.001), and those who were hospitalized in the past 12 months (0.111, p < 0.001). For every unit increase in treatment satisfaction, the quality-of-life score increased by 0.036 unit (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This pilot study measured health utility scores and factors influencing HRQoL in the Lebanese population. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings and to develop and validate tools helping to measure health related quality of life in the population in Lebanon.

Correção laparoscópica de fístula vesicovaginal: relato de caso / Laparoscopic repair of vesicovaginal fistula: a case report

Apesar de constituírem complicação incomum, as fístulas vesicovaginais apresentam expressivo impacto na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. As abordagens minimamente invasivas têm ganhado mais espaço no tratamento de doenças geniturinárias. Ainda são poucos os relatos do acesso laparoscópico para correção das fístulas vesicovaginais. Relata-se aqui um caso de fístula pós-histerectomia tratada totalmente de forma laparoscópica com ótimo resultado. As vantagens do acesso laparoscópico, assim como alguns detalhes técnicos, são discutidos...

Despite being an uncommon complication, vesicovaginal fistulas have significant impact on patient quality of life. Minimally invasive approaches have gained more space in the treatment of genitourinary diseases. There are few reports on laparoscopic approaches for correction of vesicovaginal fistulas. This is a case report of a post-hysterectomy fistulatreated exclusively through laparoscopy with excellent results. The advantages of the laparoscopic approach, as well as some technical details, are discussed...

Prostatectomia retropúbica videolaparoscópica: experiência inicial / Laparoscopic retropubic prostatectomy: initial experience

Introdução: o tratamento cirúrgico da hiperplasia benigna da próstata inclui a ressecção transuretral e a prostatectomia suprapúbica, dependendo do volume prostático. O acesso videolaparoscópico criou alternativa minimamente invasiva à prosatatectomia suprapúbica convencional. Objetivo: avaliar a viabilidade da técnica aberta por via laparoscópica. Pacientes e métodos: entre junho de 2006 e outubro de 2009, 15 pacientes foram submetidos à prostatectomia retropúbica videolaparoscópica no tratamento da hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB). O acesso videolaparoscópico foi utilizado como alternativa minimamenteinvasiva à adenomectomia aberta. Foram avaliadas as características dos pacientes, o volume prostático e as complicações no per e pós-operatórios imediato e tardio. Resultados: a idade média foi de 68 anos (62-75 anos); o peso prostático médio foi de 123 gramas (70-190 gramas); o tempo cirúrgico variou de 120 minutos a 220 minutos. A perda de sangue estimada foi de 450 mL na média, sendo necessária transfusão em apenas um paciente. A permanência hospitalar média foi de três dias. O tempo com sonda vesical de demora foi de seis dias; e o tempo de irrigação vesical de um dia em todos os pacientes. O estudoanatomopatológico confirmou o diagnóstico de HPB em todos os casos. Nas complicações pós-operatórias, um paciente apresentou infecção superficial da ferida operatória, com boa resposta à antibioticoterapia. Conclusões: a prostatectomia retropúbica laparoscópica parece ser procedimento seguro, que permite reproduzir os princípios da cirurgia aberta. Neste trabalho observou-se baixa taxa de complicações, similar à da literatura.

Introduction: The surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia includes transurethral resection and suprapubic prostatectomy depending on prostate volume. The laparoscopic access creates a minimally invasive alternative to conventional suprapubic prostatectomy. Objective: to assess the feasibility of the open laparoscopic technique. Patients and methods: Between June 2006 and October 2009, 15 patients underwent laparoscopic retropubic prostatectomy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Laparoscopic access was used as a minimally invasive alternative to open adenomectomy. Patient characteristics and prostate volume were assessed, as well as complications in the early and late perioperative and postoperative stages. Results: Mean age was 68 years (62-75 years), mean prostate weight 123 grams (70-190 grams). Time of surgery ranged from 120 to 220 minutes. Mean estimated blood loss was 450 mL and transfusion was required for one patient. Mean hospital stay was three days. Time with indwelling catheter was six days and time of bladder irrigation was of one day for all patients. Anatomicopathological studies confirmed the diagnosis of BPH in all cases.Among postoperative complications, one patient had a superficial surgical wound infection, which responded well to antibiotic therapy. Conclusions:Laparoscopic retropubic prostatectomy appears to be a safe procedure that reproduces the principles of open surgery. In this study we observed a low rate of complications, similar to previous studies.

Cistectomia radical videolaparoscópica com neobexiga ileal ortotópica: experiência inicial / Laparoscopy radical cystectomy with ileal orthotopic blad - der: A preliminary experience

Apesar de ser o padrão-ouro no tratamento dos tumores invasivos de bexiga, a cistoprostatectomia ainda apresenta significativo impacto na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. As abordagens minimamente invasivas têm ganhado cada vez mais espaço no tratamento das neoplasias urológicas. Ainda são poucas as séries na literatura sobre o acesso videolaparoscópico para confecção de neobexiga ortotópica após a cistoprostatectomia radical. Relata-se um caso de câncer invasor de bexiga tratado de forma laparoscópica com ótimo resultado. As vantagens do acesso laparoscópico, assim como alguns detalhes técnicos, são discutidas.

Although it is not considered a gold standard in treating invasive bladder tumors, cystoprostatectomy still has significant impacts on patients? life quality. The minimally invasive approaches have gained importance in the treatment of bladder neoplasia. There are sill few reports on the use of laparoscopy for providing orthotopic bladder upon radical cystoprostatectomy. This is a case report of invasive bladder cancer that was treated with laparoscopy and yielded optimal result. The advantages of laparoscopy and some technical details are herein discussed.