Search Results (4)

(1) Background: Sexual satisfaction (SS) is an essential component of quality of life. There is a scarcity of research about sexual satisfaction in Lebanon, a country where discussing sexual issues is still considered a taboo. The present study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of responses to the items in the Arabic version of the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ), as well as the correlates of sexual satisfaction, among a sample of Lebanese adults. (2) Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted between June and September 2022 with 270 and 359 participants, respectively. (3) Results: The results showed that the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire is adequate to be used in Lebanon (McDonald’s ω = 0.90 and 0.86, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that higher waterpipe dependence (Beta = −0.17) was substantially linked to lower sexual satisfaction, while better emotional intelligence (EI) (Beta = 0.27) and physical activity (Beta = 0.17) were significantly associated with greater sexual satisfaction. (4) Conclusions: The reliability and validity of the responses to the Arabic version of the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire were supported by our findings. Also, practical implications for sexual satisfaction enhancement strategies in the Lebanese population might be beneficial since many associated factors are considered to be modifiable. Full article

Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability on a global scale. Most clinicians tend to underestimate the importance of diet and inadequate or dysfunctional eating attitudes in patients with a complicated relationship with food. Concerned about the potential of an independent Lebanese approach, and also because prior international research has revealed a link between eating intake or choice and ischemic stroke risk, it was considered vital to broaden the scope of the literature and evaluate further the association of disordered eating attitudes and focus on the distinct relationship with food in the case of orthorexia nervosa (ON) in the Lebanese community. Consequently, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the potential association between pre-existing disordered eating attitudes, specifically ON, and ischemic stroke risk, with an emphasis on the evidence supporting a Mediterranean-style diet. Methods: This research is a case-control survey study involving 113 Lebanese individuals with ischemic stroke and 451 age-(within 5 years) and sex-matched controls recruited from several hospitals in Lebanon (April 2020–April 2021). Results: According to the findings of our first regression model, living 100 m from a crowded road (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.421, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.585–7.387), living 100 m from an electricity generator (aOR: 3.686, 95% CI: 1.681–8.085), higher waterpipe dependence (aOR: 1.204, 95% CI: 1.117–1.297), higher exposure to passive smoking (aOR: 2.651, 95% CI: 2.051–3.426), being married (aOR: 3.545, 95% CI: 1.297–9.689), having a low educational attainment (aOR: 0.239, 95% CI: 0.084–0.679), vigorous physical activity (aOR: 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001–1.006), and having more inappropriate eating (aOR: 1.040, 95% CI: 1.006–1.074) were all associated with higher odds of having ischemic stroke. Furthermore, atrial fibrillation (aOR: 2.945, 95% CI: 1.010–8.585), diabetes (aOR: 2.550, 95% CI: 1.169–5.561), heart diseases (aOR: 6.193, 95% CI: 2.196–17.463), and hypertension (aOR: 2.744, 95% CI: 1.049–7.180) were also linked to an increased risk of stroke. Moreover, having more orthorexia nervosa tendencies (aOR: 1.123, 95% CI: 1.021–1.235) was related to a higher odds of having an ischemic stroke, whereas better adherence to the MeD was significantly linked (aOR: 0.691, 95% CI: 0.583–0.819) to lower odds of ischemic stroke. Conclusions: Ischemic stroke patients were more likely to have disordered eating attitudes and orthorexic behaviors. Furthermore, the MeD has been found to be beneficial in reducing ischemic stroke risk. Despite the study’s focus, outdoor pollution, waterpipe dependence, and passive smoking were linked to ischemic stroke. In summary, this review suggests that improving one’s nutritional status and making a few lifestyle changes are key stroke prevention and treatment methods. Full article

Background: Among all types of tobacco consumption, Water-Pipe Smoking (WPS) is the most widely used in the Middle East and second-most in several other countries. The effect of WPS on normal development is not yet fully understood, thus the aim of this study is to explore the acute toxicity effects of WPS extract on zebrafish larvae. Methods: In this study, we compared the effects of WPS smoke condensates at concentrations varying from 50 to 200 µg/mL on developmental, cardiac, and behavioural (neurotoxicity) functions. Gene expression patterns of cardiac biomarkers were also evaluated by RT-qPCR. Results: Exposing zebrafish embryos to 50, 100, 150 and 200 µg/mL WPS for three days did not affect the normal morphology of Zebrafish embryos, as the tail flicking, behavioural and locomotion assays did not show any change. However, WPS deregulated cardiac markers including atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP/NPPA) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP/NPPB). Furthermore, it induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that WPS can significantly affect specific cardiac parameters during the normal development of zebrafish. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the pathogenic outcome of WPS on different aspects of human life, including pregnancy. Full article

Introduction: There is no universal scale for assessing waterpipe tobacco (WT) dependence. We examined the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the Waterpipe Dependence Scale-11 (LWDS-11) among Egyptian WT smokers. Methods: We administered the LWDS-11 during face-interview questionnaires in two cross-sectional surveys among 1490 current WT smokers recruited via purposive quota sampling. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on half of the sample. Confirmatory factor analysis of the resulting model was done using structural equation modelling on the other half. Scale reliability was examined. We assessed convergent construct validity using regression models to examine the association between the adapted dependence scale and factors conceptually expected to be associated with WT dependence. Results: Exploratory factor analysis of the scale yielded eight items (E8-LWDS) supporting a three-factor structure: physical dependence (three items); psychological dependence (three items); and psychological craving (two items). Cronbach’s α were 0.635 for the total scale and 0.823, 0.654, and 0.785 for the three subscales. E8-LWDS was confirmed to have good model fit (comparative fit index = 0.995; root mean squared error of approximation = 0.027). E8-LWDS was independently associated with daily WT smoking, rural residence, being a skilled worker, non-exclusive WTS, smoking ≥ eight WT hagars/day, and measures of perceived behavioral control (self-reported addiction to WT, perceived ability to quit, and previous quit attempts). Conclusion: E8-LWDS showed adequate psychometric properties among this sample of Egyptian current WT smokers, which makes it appropriate for use by researchers and practitioners. Adding items related to perceived behavioral control might enhance the scale robustness. Full article