The aim of this study is to assess the nutrition situation in terms of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) among recently delivered Syrian refugee women and to identify nutrition related KAP problems of this vulnerable population. An analytical descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a nonrandomized sample of one hundred recently delivered Syrian women from refugee background aged 18 years old and above who were admitted for delivery to the obstetric unit of a governmental hospital located in Beirut, Lebanon. The study reveals that fifty-six percent of the studied population was not knowledgeable about maternal nutrition during pregnancy, twenty-five percent had a negative attitude toward antenatal care (ANC) services and nutrition during pregnancy and forty-seven percent of the participants were having bad dietary practices during pregnancy. Knowledge, attitude and practices toward nutrition and diet during pregnancy are still lacking among this sensitive population.
Background and Aim: The misuse and abuse of antibiotics by human and in animal production are leading to serious threats to global health. This study aimed to assess the dietary exposure of Lebanese consumers to antibiotic residues from the consumption of meat and compare it to that from medication intake.
Materials and Methods: Beef samples (n=61) were collected and analyzed for penicillin residues using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high-performance liquid chromatography. A cross-sectional study recruited 500 participants living in Mount Lebanon, using an interviewer-based questionnaire. The dietary exposure assessment was calculated following the tiered assessment approach.
Results: The results showed that only 44% of the participants reported using antibiotic on doctor's prescription. Participants with good antibiotic knowledge (6-7/7) are significantly less likely to change antibiotic during treatment and would better use them as compared to those with lower knowledge (p=0.000). Those with lower education and monthly household income are more likely to improperly use antibiotics as compared to those with higher education and income. Penicillin -containing antibiotics were among the most used medications. On the other hand, the prevalence of penicillin residues in the meat samples was 21.3%, though none was above the maximum residue level. The dietary exposure to penicillin through meat consumption was equivalent to 88.3%, 31.9%, and 5.7% of the acceptable daily intake, using Tier 1, 2, and 3 approaches, respectively. Males, single, obese participants, and those with household income below 999,000 Lebanese pound were significantly more exposed to penicillin as compared to other participants due to their high meat consumption.
Conclusion: These findings will provide insight into designing future targeted awareness interventions and adapted policies as efforts toward improving rational use and intake of antibiotics for preventing the development of antibiotic resistance.
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