Background A new Lebanese scale measuring medication adherence considered socioeconomic and cultural factors not taken into account by the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Objectives were to validate the new adherence scale and its prediction of hypertension control, compared to MMAS-8, and to assess adherence rates and factors. Methodology A cross-sectional study, including 405 patients, was performed in outpatient cardiology clinics of three hospitals in Beirut. Blood pressure was measured, a questionnaire filled, and sodium intake estimated by a urine test. Logistic regression defined predictors of hypertension control and adherence. Results 54.9% had controlled hypertension. 82.4% were adherent by the new scale, which showed good internal consistency, adequate questions (KMO coefficient = 0.743), and four factors. It predicted hypertension control (OR = 1.217; p value = 0.003), unlike MMAS-8, but the scores were correlated (ICC average measure = 0.651; p value < 0.001). Stress and smoking predicted nonadherence. Conclusion This study elaborated a validated, practical, and useful tool measuring adherence to medications in Lebanese hypertensive patients.

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Introduction: To date, little guidance is available to support the development of effective programs for improving self-management in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Yet, given the global burden of this disease, it seems important to identify the components of a self-management program that are effective in terms of health outcomes for COPD patients. Objectives: This review aims to identify effective elements of a self-management program for COPD patients, the ones that may impact quality of life, emergency visits, and rehospitalization rates. Material and methods: A systematic literature search of three databases (Medline, Cochrane, and CINHAL) was conducted to identify studies on self-management of COPD, with three limiting parameters: published in twelve years prior to November 2019, in English or French, and including patients over 40 years old. Prisma was used to guide the work process. Results: The search yielded 361 studies from the three electronic databases by applying limiting criteria, and after removing duplicates. Sixty-five articles were identified as relevant based on their titles and abstracts. However, 16 documents were retained after full reading. The analysis of the included articles identified 4 components in self-management programs for COPD patients: initiation stage of the intervention, educational sessions, support and monitoring methods. Conclusions: Although the combination of self-management program initiation, educational sessions, support and monitoring methods were effective, further research is needed to identify the components that have better impact on COPD patients' skills and quality of life.

People with disabling hearing disabilities face multiple levels of daily-life challenges where access to services and information remain difficult. In Lebanon, no data is available about the hard-of-hearing individuals. The aim of the study is to reflect the current situation of the Deaf community in Lebanon, to compare it with that of the general Lebanese population and propose practical ways to improve their national status and quality of care. A snowball sampling method was used to recruit hard-of-hearing individuals over the age of eighteen, via institutions and schools for the Deaf. Participants were asked to anonymously fill a qualitative questionnaire, individually or in groups in the presence of interpreters. The analysis was descriptive, and 95% binomial exact confidence intervals were constructed to compare parameters with those of the general population. Deaf adults in Lebanon have poorer socioeconomic conditions, lower literacy levels and limited access to information. However, they appear to be physically healthier than the general population while presenting frequent mental health problems and facing discrimination and poorer access to services. There still is no valid data available about the Deaf community in Lebanon. Hard-of-hearing people remain underserved by the current Lebanese healthcare, education, employment and public systems.