The general lack of knowledge about the health effects of waterpipe smoking is among the reasons for its global spread. In this study, bacterial contamination of waterpipe hoses was investigated. Twenty hoses were collected from waterpipe cafés and screened for bacterial pathogens using standard culture and isolation techniques. Additionally, resistance of isolated bacteria to common antibiotics was determined by identifying the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each isolate. Forty eight bacterial isolates were detected. Isolates included both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens from species that included Micrococcus (12), Corynebacterium (13) and Bacillus (9). In addition, some of the detected pathogens were found to be resistant to aztreonam (79%), cefixime (79%), norfloxacin, amoxicillin (47%), clarithromycin (46%) and enrofloxacin (38%). In conclusion, the hose of the waterpipe device is a good environment for the growth of bacterial pathogens, which can then be transmitted to users.
Dyslexia is a reading disability that is characterized by when an individual has trouble in rapid and accurate word decoding. This study developed, piloted and assessed the validity and reliability of three instruments: Rapid Automatized Scale (RANS), Arabic Reading Ability Scale (ARAS) and Phonological Awareness Scale (PAS), on a sample of 700 students (aged 8–9 years). Four groups (n = 30) were formed based on the participants' results of the three instruments; Double Deficit (DD), Rapid Automatized Naming Deficit (RAND), Phonological Awareness Deficit (PAD) and No Deficit groups. Content validities of the instruments were supported using published reports; though educational experts further revised RANS. It found a significant inverse correlation between the PA test score and RAN (mistakes and time) score (r = −.44; p < .001), and a significant positive correlation between RAN mistakes and RAN time (r = .47; p < .001). Acceptable internal reliability of the RANS was demonstrated by a Cronbach's alpha test coefficient of α = .85 (>.70; acceptable). High inter‐rater reliability tests were observed for the three instruments (r ≥ .86, p < .001). The three instruments can predict reading difficulties and dyslexia in Arabic‐speaking populations.
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