Prevalence of anxiety and depression among Lebanese women using oral contraceptives: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are used worldwide, including Lebanese women. However, the association between OCs use and anxiety or depression remains unclear. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among Lebanese women using oral contraceptive pills and investigate the differential impact of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) versus progestogen-only pills (POPs) on mental health outcomes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of Lebanese women using OCs between January and March 2023. Nine hundred nighty seven out of the 2051 women who took part in the survey met our criteria and were included in this study. Data on anxiety and depression were collected using validated and reliable scales, the Arabic versions of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Questionnaire (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Statistical analyses, including multivariate analysis, were performed to assess the association between OCs type (COC vs. POP) and anxiety/depression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of anxiety and depression among Lebanese women taking OCs was found to be 39.9% and 64.3%, respectively. Furthermore, the study revealed that POP users had 2.8 times higher odds of developing anxiety (adjusted odds ratio ORadj = 2.8 with 95% confidence interval CI of 1.770 to 4.435) p-value < 0.001 and 9.2 times higher odds of developing depression (adjusted odds ratio ORadj = 9.2 with 95% confidence interval CI of 5.790 to 14.506) p-value < 0.001 compared to COC users.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study shed light on the elevated prevalence of anxiety and depression among Lebanese women using OCs and emphasized the varying effects of COCs and POPs on their mental health outcomes. Further research is needed to comprehensively understand this association, considering both the dosage and specific type of oral contraceptive to improve the overall well-being of women using these contraceptives.

Sleep Quality and Nicotine Dependence Among Lebanese University Residents and Fellows: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and objectives Sleep quality and nicotine addiction are important public health issues with significant negative impacts on individual well-being and the performance of healthcare professionals. This study aims to determine the prevalence and association of nicotine dependence and poor sleep quality among residents and fellows enrolled in the Lebanese University. Methods A cross-sectional study using the snowball-sampling technique was conducted in Lebanon between January and March 2023. Data were collected through an online survey that included information on socio-demographic characteristics, nicotine dependence, and sleep quality. A total of 350 residents and fellows were included in the study. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were carried out to identify the factors associated with sleep quality. Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were reported. Results One quarter (25.1%) of the residents and fellows were smokers; among them, 44.3% smoked I Quit Ordinary Smoking (IQOS), 14.8% smoked cigarettes, 10.2% smoked waterpipe (WP), 12.5% smoked cigarettes and WP, and 18.2% smoked IQOS and WP. According to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), 34.3% of participants had poor sleep quality. Smokers had 12.5 times higher odds of experiencing poor sleep quality compared to non-smokers (adjusted odds ratio ORadj = 12.58 with 95% confidence interval [CI] of 7.07-22.36; p-value <0.001). In addition, smoking a combination of two types of tobacco products (cigarettes with WP or IQOS with WP) posed the highest risk of poor sleep quality, with an adjusted odds ratio of 31.54 (95% CI of 9.15-45.74, p-value <0.001). Elevated Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and Lebanon Waterpipe Dependence Scale (LWDS-11) scores indicated an increased risk of poor sleep quality (adjusted odds ratio ORadj = 4.69 with 95% CI of 2.179-10.10; p-value <0.001; and adjusted odds ratio ORadj =1.27 with 95% CI of 1.04-1.55; p-value 0.019, respectively). Conclusion Our study found a significant association between nicotine dependence and poor sleep quality among medical residents and fellows, with smokers being more susceptible to sleep disturbances. The high prevalence of IQOS smoking among medical residents and fellows in Lebanon highlights the urgent need for comprehensive research investigating the effects of heated tobacco products. Furthermore, our study reveals a critical insight into the potential additive effects of nicotine, suggesting that the concurrent use of multiple tobacco products may further elevate the risk of poor sleep quality. Recognizing the implications of our findings, it is imperative to develop targeted interventions and educational programs that promote healthier sleep habits and facilitate smoking cessation among medical residents and fellows.