Unveiling the unseen toll: exploring the impact of the Lebanese economic crisis on the health-seeking behaviors in a sample of patients with diabetes and hypertension

BMC Public Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: Feb. 27, 2024

Abstract Background Against the backdrop of Lebanon’s escalating multifaceted crisis which resulted in medication shortages for chronic diseases and unaffordable healthcare services, current study endeavors to shed light on a critical yet overlooked facet Lebanese economic crisis– its profound impact health-seeking behaviors patients with hypertension diabetes mellitus. Methods An exploratory cross-sectional based an online questionnaire was conducted 156 adult citizens diagnosed medically either or diabetes. We gathered sociodemographic characteristics healthcare-related challenges faced during crisis. also assessed stress levels using Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Descriptive bivariate analyses were done SPSS version 26. Results The mean age population 49.8 ± 17.7 years old, 51.6% females 48.4% males, 29.7% had diabetes, 51.3% 19.0% both diseases. Among all, 84.2% reported dissatisfaction system, 31.6% changing their physician mainly because consultation fees (66%) immigration (32%). Of those and/or less than 20% finding all prescribed medications 47% modified discontinued treatment without seeking medical advice. In case drug shortage, relied stocked reserves (26%), alternative/generic (10%) external sources procurement such as relatives living abroad (41.7%), outsourcing suppliers (19.9%), dispensaries (19.6%) NGOs (20.3%). All participants high level (5.03/7) total DASS-21 score 38.7 35.8 that attributed August 4 th Beirut port explosion (81.0%), global pandemic (81%), unstable political conditions (90.5%), (96.8%), shortage (91.8%) inability access (74.1%). Higher sub-scores anxiety, depression insignificantly noted ( p > 0.05). Conclusion Our findings explore how has taken toll almost aspects sample Lebanon. well disruptions affordable imposed several barriers adequate adherence regimens acted important mental health stressors.

Language: Английский

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Anemia and food insecurity: the nutritional struggles of pregnant women in Lebanon amid unprecedented crises

BMC Nutrition, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: April 1, 2025

Pregnant women require specific dietary intake to optimize fetal development and support mother's health. The ongoing crises in Lebanon: the economic crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, Beirut port explosion, limited population's overall ability consume a well-balanced diet, preventing adequate consumption of fresh, whole food possibly disrupting people's eating habits, notably for pregnant women. Given vulnerability malnutrition diseases during those times, research on nutrition status is urgently needed inform targeted policies programs. This study explores nutritional (malnutrition anemia), insecurity, diet quality, associated factors Lebanese adult residing Lebanon. A cross sectional was conducted representative sample 500 who were different pregnancy trimesters, between March October 2023. Collected data included sociodemographic medical characteristics, anthropometrics, serum hemoglobin, security status, quality using validated tools. total 38.6% participants had anemia, with more than half (53.8%) reporting not taking iron supplements. Food insecurity prevalence 14.6% based "Food Insecurity Experience Scale" 22.6% "Arab Family Security Scale". Although most (79.2%) high minimum diversity (MDD-W) score an acceptable household diversity, however; around 38% 81.6% them low adherence Mediterranean Diet (MD) USDA guidelines, respectively. Being second (aOR: 1.77) or third (aOR:1.88) trimesters increased likelihoods anemia; while being employed 0.46) having higher income 0.639) decreased likelihood maternal anemia. Living crowded 0.072) odds MDD-W, 2.88), secure 1.76) living North Akkar 2.44) South Nabatieh 2.06) MDD-W. 1.87) fair very good MD adherence, 0.57) MD. guidelines. Anemia, compounded by levels supplementation healthy diets, warrant immediate public action given detrimental effects they have outcomes. National comprehensive interventions are thus enhance diets health also requires improving situation women, as our findings showed that increases

Language: Английский

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Lifestyle and Health Behavior Changes in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Role for Mental Health Symptoms and Diagnosis and Daily Life Difficulties During Lockdown in Lebanon

Behavioral Medicine, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 13

Published: Jan. 15, 2025

Several studies report significant changes in lifestyle habits during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet results are largely heterogeneous across populations. We examined and health behaviors first COVID‐19 lockdown Lebanon assessed whether mental physical indicators outbreak- lockdown-related factors related to these changes. Data come from a cross-sectional online survey (May–June 2020) which smoking, alcohol, diet, eating behavior, activity, sleep hours, satisfaction, social media use, self-rated health, life satisfaction (n = 494). changes' association with current depressive anxiety symptoms, presence of disorders, outbreak-related worries, using regression models adjusted for sociodemographic socioeconomic covariates. Most prevalent were increased use (63.2%) decreased (54.9%) activity (53.4%). Higher higher daily difficulties, diagnosed disorder worsening almost all behaviors. Participants outbreak worries had less healthy diet use. adherence preventive measures associated lower respectively. Results show clear clustering negative behavioral existing disorder, challenges lockdowns. Findings highlight importance tracking higher-risk subgroups mitigate further adverse impact on health.

Language: Английский

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Assessment of dietary-lifestyle patterns and adherence to the USDA recommendations in Lebanese pregnant women amid the economic crisis: Findings from a national representative cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(4), P. e0301170 - e0301170

Published: April 11, 2024

As Lebanon’s economic crisis become uncontrollable, Lebanese pregnant women face malnutrition, with many having to skip meals and switch resort cheap unhealthy alternatives altogether. The objectives of the study were assess dietary lifestyle patterns evaluate their diets compliance United States Department Agriculture (USDA) pregnancy recommendations, before during escalating crisis. A cross-sectional was conducted between April 2021 January 2022. validated self-administrated questionnaire administered first, second third trimesters among 363 in all governorates. Most free diseases. While majority did not smoke, 14.1% smoked hookah / shisha pregnancy. adherence USDA recommendations our sample significantly vary prior throughout socioeconomic crisis, it generally low. Only mean consumption vegetables increased (p<0.05). Regarding physical activity, while proportion active slightly decreased around 55% still active. In conclusion, higher attention should be given habits health this critical population, through effective interventions that increase awareness achieve measurable improvements.

Language: Английский

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Path analysis of the role of coping strategies between emotional intelligence and lifestyle habits during COVID-19 lockdown

International Journal of Environmental Health Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(10), P. 3634 - 3647

Published: Feb. 17, 2024

The relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and lifestyle choices during the COVID-19 pandemic is obscure not very well understood. To clarify mechanisms underlying this relationship, we proposed to test hypothesis that different coping styles (avoidant approach) have an indirect effect on association EI many types of habits. A cross-sectional study was conducted December 2020 January 2021. Our target sample consisted Lebanese adults from general population. In path analysis, approach mediated habits (rest, nutrition, physical conditions), but exercise. Furthermore, avoidant did mediate conditions, other (namely rest, exercise, nutrition). conclude, individuals with high EI, are users strategies deal stressors, increased rest time, healthy nutrition conditions. This cautiously implies fostering may help improve positive effects lifestyles crises such as pandemic.

Language: Английский

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El impacto de la comida rápida en la población en Nuevo León: estúdio parcial

Brazilian Journal of Health Review, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(4), P. e71220 - e71220

Published: July 15, 2024

Se ha mostrado una creciente problemática en el incremento de consumo comida rápida norte México, aumentando significativamente riesgo padecer trastornos gastrointestinales, como gastritis, gastroenteritis, hígado graso, entre otros. Así mismo, se relación significativa este hábito con las enfermedades crónico-degenerativas relacionadas la alimentación, lo son obesidad, sobrepeso, diabetes mellitus, cardiovasculares, hasta algunos tipos cáncer, cual es preocupante pues han registrado principal causa muerte a nivel nacional. Para conocer posibles causas los habitantes Nuevo León para del rápida, realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo encuestando 52 diversos municipios León, que observa 61% encuestados presentado gastrointestinales relacionados su estilo vida acelerado, así tipo trabajo realizan participantes, permite concluir regiomontanos clave aumentar rápida.

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