Introduction. CVDs are largely driven by modifiable risk factors. This study sought to determine the awareness and prevalence of the modifiable CVDs risk factors among the Lebanese population. Methods. In a cross-sectional survey, 1000 participants aged ≥ 45 years were randomly selected from pharmacies and interviewed. The data was analyzed with SPSS version 21.0 software. Results. Differences between urban and rural areas include alcohol consumption (2.8% versus 1.7%; p = 0.0001), cardioprotective vegetable servings (6.1% versus 2.3%; p = 0.016), sedentary hours per day (18.6% versus 15.1%; p = 0.002), and hypertension (38.5% versus 25.4%; p = 0.001). The prevalence of overweight and obesity (77.3% versus 75.2%; p = 0.468), smoking (39.3% versus 43.3%; p = 0.232), diabetes (25.4% versus 21.4%; p = 0.173), and dyslipidemia (25 versus 21.2%) was reported. Measurements revealed 19.3% of undiagnosed hypertension (12.4% versus 22.4%, p = 0.001), 61.7% of hypertension (59.8% versus 62.6%; p = 0.203), and 7.9% of undiagnosed diabetes (6.6% versus 8.6%; p = 0.323). The declared awareness of CVDs risk factors was highest for smoking (91.5% versus 89.7%; p = 0.339) and lowest for diabetes (54.4 versus 55.7%; p = 0.692). Conclusion. This study has shown a high prevalence of modifiable CVDs risk factors in the Lebanese population ≥ 45 years, among which hypertension is the most prominent.

(1) Background: There is a scarcity of data regarding game-based learning (GBL) in experiential pharmacy education; in addition, the impact of educational games on the attainment of intended learning outcomes and students’ motivation to actively learn and practice through non-traditional pedagogical tools are yet to be explored. (2) Methods: This was a prospective quasi-experimental study that introduced GBL into the Pharmacy Practice Experience course of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) program at the Lebanese International University in Lebanon. Data collection took place between July and September 2021. The study objectives were to assess the impact of GBL on attaining intended learning outcomes, determine students’ motivation to engage in GBL, and assess the impact of this motivation on the attainment of learning outcomes. (3) Results: GBL was associated with a significantly higher exam average (mean difference = 7.152, p < 0.001). Moreover, an active learning motivation assessment scale (ALMAS) was constructed and validated; it was found to have good reliability as well as high sensitivity and specificity, and it determined a good level of motivation to engage in GBL. Game-based learners with higher motivation scores had significantly higher exam averages compared to those with lower scores (Beta = 0.296, 95% CI 0.110–0.545, p = 0.004). (4) Conclusion: GBL was associated with better attainment of intended learning outcomes. Students appear to be motivated to learn by this style of active learning, and motivation is prognostic of the attainment of learning outcomes.

Introduction: The concept of the health promoting school offers a coherent approach to promoting health and well-being within a whole school community. This study sought to evaluate the health programmes and policies adopted by different Lebanese schools, and their appropriateness for this role as part of health promotion. Methods: Our research took the form of a prospective observational study involving 50 schools from different areas of Lebanon. Data were collected using a questionnaire based on the Health Assessment Tool for Schools (HATS). Data were analysed to describe school characteristics and to reveal differences in the health topics addressed. Results: Most of the schools included in the study came from Mount Lebanon (56%). Around 70% of the involved schools offered health-related courses in their curricula. Health-related seminars and workshops (60%) and health awareness campaigns took place at the studied schools, with 98% incorporating physical education into the curriculum. Dental health (74%), smoking cessation (72%) and physical activity (68%) were among other most addressed topics, while mental health was the least discussed (20%). The majority (70%) of schools had a shared vision of what promoting health involved and sought to promote the active involvement of community members in the life of the school (60%). Around two-thirds of the schools (66%) provided physical support and facilities, and had developed policies for health promotion. Less than half of these schools’ health committees, however, had developed plans to improve health promotion and review data to ensure the effectiveness of their programmes. Conclusion: The study findings suggest that despite weaknesses, the majority of the sampled schools had either implemented or were in the process of implementing a health promoting school programme to improve health education and students’ well-being.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a slew of new obstacles for all health professionals, particularly those in charge of training students. Many pharmacy schools had to convert to virtual experiential learning with little to no existing literature, framework, or appropriate time for preparation. This review documents the virtual pharmacy practice training at a university in Lebanon during COVID-19 and several other colleges of pharmacy worldwide that have shared their experiences. A literature review of international publications was performed in PubMed and Google Scholar between 1 March 2022 and 30 May 2022, and relevant articles were included. The narrative offers a variety of approaches to ensure that pharmacy learners prioritise self-care, are adequately prepared to enter pharmacy practice, and reflect on their learning. However, other aspects, such as the use of a variety of online training platforms, the inclusion of more patient-centric activities, and the provision of live virtual patient experiences, should be enhanced in the future.

Objectives: To evaluate the association between sociodemographic characteristics and antibiotic knowledge in the Lebanese population. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in community pharmacies from all Lebanese governorates. Data were collected by well-trained pharmacists through face-to-face interviews from January 1 until March 31, 2017. The survey tool was adapted from a questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization. A knowledge index was computed for comparative purposes, and a linear regression model was performed to assess factors associated with knowledge. Results: An antibiotic knowledge index was computed for 623 participants, with a minimum score of 3 and a maximum score of 19 (average of 12.5 ± 3.2). Higher knowledge score was inversely correlated with age (r = -0.118; P = 0.003), but no gender differences were reported (12.6 for females vs. 12.3 for males) (P >0.05). However, differences were statistically significant for residence type, educational level, and total household income categories. The linear regression model showed a significant association between residence type and knowledge (urban vs. other areas, B = 0.793; P = 0.011). Furthermore, a higher knowledge index was significantly associated with a higher income combined with higher education (additive scale/B = 1.590; P = 0.025). Finally, interactions between income and age, gender, and residence type were not significant. Conclusion: Individuals residing in urban areas, those with combined high income and high educational levels, are more knowledgeable about antibiotics use and resistance in comparison with other groups. More studies are needed to assess sociodemographic interactions on health literacy. Keywords: Knowledge; Socioeconomic Factors; Gender; Age; Attitude to Health; Educational Achievements; Residence.

(1) Background: The study aims to assess cigarette smoking and waterpipe experimentation among Lebanese adolescent school students with respect to their gender, region, age, and socioeconomic status. (2) Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, where students between 11 to 18 years of age were included from all over Lebanon. (3) Results: A total of 1133 students were interviewed. The total proportion of adolescents who ever experimented with cigarette smoking was 24.5%. Males experimented with cigarette smoking more commonly than females (31.9% vs. 19.1%; p < 0.001). Cigarette smoking experimentation was higher among students from the Beirut area (33.6%; p < 0.001) in comparison to other regions, and among those with poor health perception (29.1% vs. 19.8%; p < 0.001) compared to students with excellent health perception. The total proportion of adolescents who ever used a waterpipe was 33.9%. Waterpipes were significantly more experimented with among males than females (40.3% vs. 29.8%; p < 0.001), and among students with bad perception about their health (39.4% vs. 28.9%; p < 0.001). Adolescents who experimented with both cigarettes and waterpipes constitute 22.2% of the studied sample. (4) Conclusions: The rate of tobacco product use is alarming and constitutes a major public health issue for adolescents that urgently needs intervention. The findings raise important policy implications for the development of cigarette smoking prevention programs for youth.

Objective: To assess the role of the pharmacist in modifying risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Lebanese adults in urban and rural areas. Methods: In a prospective survey, 865 out of 1,000 participants aged ≥45 years, previously interviewed, agreed to be followed at 1 and 2 years time points. Parameters including blood pressure, lipid profile, blood glucose, average number of risk factors, and atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk were assessed and evaluated at the beginning of the study, then after 1 and 2 years. Results: During both follow-ups, the mean average body mass index and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly and the lipid profile improved significantly. Further significant improvements in ASCVD risk occurred during the second follow-up. Monitoring parameters revealed significant improvements as well. Conclusion: This study showed that a plan that includes pharmacists, who regularly monitor and follow-up patients, could improve CVD prevention through the reduction of risk factors.

Objectives: To assess the appropriateness of vancomycin dosing and monitoring at Lebanese hospitals. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study conducted at 3 Lebanese hospitals between January and March 2018. Patients 18 years of age and older treated with vancomycin for a systemic infection or prophylaxis were eligible for study enrollment. Consistency with the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines was evaluated to determine whether the dose of vancomycin was appropriate, as well as for the time of trough measurement, and the target concentration obtained. Results: From a total of 120 patients who met the inclusion criteria, only 11 (12%) were given the appropriate maintenance dose of vancomycin with respect to actual body weight. The trough levels were monitored for 67 (55.8%) patients, with 20 (29.9%) of these patients achieving appropriate therapeutic trough levels of 15-20 mg/l. The trough concentration time measurement before the fourth dose was only carried out in 28 (41.8%) of the 67 patients. Conclusion: This study reveals a gap between the appropriate utilization of vancomycin with respect to the international guidelines in the studied Lebanese hospitals. It highlights the need for dosing and monitoring protocols suitable for vancomycin utilization in these hospitals.