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El Salibi N, Abdulrahim S, El Haddad M, Abi Zeid B, Alawieh MF, Ramadan Z, Ghattas H, McCall SJ. Predicting intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 in older Syrian refugees in Lebanon: Findings from a multi-wave study. Vaccine 2024; 42:2646-2654. [PMID: 38485642 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.02.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among refugees in the Arab region remains low. This study aimed to examine the prevalence, reasons and predictors of intention to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine among older Syrian refugees in Lebanon. METHODS A nested cross-sectional study within a longitudinal study among older Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The sampling frame was a complete listing of beneficiary households of a humanitarian organization with at least one adult aged 50 years or older. Telephone surveys were completed at months 1 starting September 2020 (wave 1), months 2 (wave 2), months 5 (wave 3), months 6 (wave 4) and months 17 (wave 5) in March 2022. Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of intention to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine. Models were internally validated using bootstrap methods and the models' calibration and discrimination were presented. FINDINGS Of 3167 Syrian refugees, 61.3% intended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, 31.3% refused, and 7.4% were undecided. Reasons for vaccine refusal were: preference to follow preventive measures (27.4%) and belief that the vaccine is not essential (20.7%). Furthermore, 57.1% of participants registered to take the COVID-19 vaccine in wave 5. Irrespective of vaccination intention, reasons for not registering included: not wanting to receive the vaccine, and being unsure whether to take it. Predictors of intention to refuse the COVID-19 vaccine included: being a female, older age, having elementary education or above, living outside informal tented settlements, perceiving COVID-19 as not severe and vaccines as not safe or effective, and using social media for information on COVID-19. After adjusting for optimization, the final model showed moderate discrimination (C-statistic: 0.651 (95% CI:0.630-0.672)) and good calibration (C-slope: 0.93 (95% CI: 0.823-1.065)). CONCLUSIONS This study developed a predictive model for vaccination intention with a moderate discriminative ability and good calibration. Prediction models in humanitarian settings can help identify refugees at higher risk of not intending to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for public health targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noura El Salibi
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sawsan Abdulrahim
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Maria El Haddad
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Berthe Abi Zeid
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | | | - Hala Ghattas
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Stephen J McCall
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Salti N, McCall SJ, Abi Zeid B, El Salibi N, Alawieh M, Ramadan Z, Ghattas H, Abdulrahim S. The determinants of sustained adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures among older Syrian refugees in Lebanon. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0268851. [PMID: 37347734 PMCID: PMC10286991 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lebanon has battled the COVID-19 pandemic in the midst of an economic crisis. The evolution of the pandemic and a fragile health system have meant that public health policy has had to rely heavily on non-pharmaceutical interventions for disease control. However, changes in disease dynamics, an unraveling economy, and pandemic fatigue have meant that disease control policies need to be updated. METHODS Using recent and timely data on older (50 years and above) Syrian refugees in Lebanon, this paper uses multivariate linear probability models to explore the determinants of adherence to two non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 prevention measures (wearing a mask and avoiding social gatherings) among this high-risk subgroup in a vulnerable population. Among respondents who report adhering to these measures, the paper also investigates the determinants of sustained adherence over a period of 6 months. RESULTS The findings suggest that no individual-level characteristics were robustly associated with mask wearing. For avoiding social gatherings, education was inversely associated with adherence to this preventive measure. Avoiding social gatherings was also significantly lower for residents of informal tented settlements (ITSs). Among initial adherents, and for both preventive practices, ITS dwellers were also significantly less likely to maintain adherence. CONCLUSION Identifying variables associated with adherence to non-pharmaceutical preventive practices, particularly for vulnerable groups, can help inform and refine interventions in the face of changing conditions. The material, physical, administrative and socio-economic constraints of life in an ITS suggest that avoiding social gatherings is hardly feasible. Yet despite the challenging conditions of ITSs, the indication to wear a mask is initially complied with, suggesting that tailoring policies to the limits and constrains of context can lead to successful outcomes even in very adverse settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisreen Salti
- Department of Economics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Stephen J. McCall
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Berthe Abi Zeid
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Noura El Salibi
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | | | - Hala Ghattas
- Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sawsan Abdulrahim
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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Afifi R, Saravanan M, El Salibi N, Nakkash R, Rady A, Sherman S, Ghandour L. Evidence from the Lebanon Global School-based Student Health Survey on midwakh tobacco smoking in school students: a harbinger of the next global tobacco pandemic ? East Mediterr Health J 2020; 26:116-121. [DOI: 10.26719/2020.26.1.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Afifi R, Ghandour L, El Salibi N, Nakkash R, Rady A, Sherman S. Prevalence of Midwakh tobacco smoking in trend-setting Lebanon: an indicator of potential spread across the Arab world? Tob Induc Dis 2018. [DOI: 10.18332/tid/84722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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El Kak F, El Salibi N, Yasmine R, Ghandour L. Hymen protection and the sexual practices, perceptions, and attitudes of female university students from Lebanon. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2017; 139:155-163. [PMID: 28755518 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.12285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Revised: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate associations between hymen protection and women's alternative sexual practices, perceptions, and attitudes. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey was administered among university students (aged 18-30 years) in Lebanon between April 30 and August 31, 2012. The present analysis focused on female students who had engaged in oral/anal sex. RESULTS Among 416 included women, 163 (39.3%) reported anal/oral sex to protect their hymen. Women ever concerned with hymen protection were less likely to be non-Lebanese and not religious/spiritual, but more likely to report unwanted sexual activities, a relationship in which they felt things were moving too fast physically, and to feel guilty about sexual feelings (all P<0.01). They were two-to-three times more likely to agree that it is harder to refuse sex after the first time and that oral sex is not as big of a deal as sexual intercourse (both P<0.001). Concerned women who later engaged in vaginal sex (n=75) were less religious and more accepting of premarital sex than were those who continued to protect their hymen (n=88; all P<0.005). CONCLUSION Women concerned about hymen-breaking engage in alternative sexual practices, yet experience pressure, guilt, worry, and indecisiveness regarding their sex-related decisions. The navigation of sexual decisions is a more vulnerable process for these women because of prevailing patriarchal values and discriminating gender norms in Lebanon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faysal El Kak
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Noura El Salibi
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rola Yasmine
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.,The A Project, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Lilian Ghandour
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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El Kak F, El Salibi N, Yasmine R, Ghandour L. Female Survivors of Sexual Abuse: Do They Differ in Sexual Behavior, Attitudes, and Perceptions Towards Sexuality? Findings From a Cross-SECTIONAL Survey Conducted Among University Students in Lebanon. J Sex Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.04.210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Ghandour L, Chalak A, El-Aily A, Yassin N, Nakkash R, Tauk M, El Salibi N, Heffron M, Afifi R. Alcohol consumption in the Arab region: What do we know, why does it matter, and what are the policy implications for youth harm reduction? International Journal of Drug Policy 2016; 28:10-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Monitoring studies are crucial for informing and reforming local policies. OBJECTIVES Using the Lebanon 2005 and 2011 Global School-based Student Health Surveys (GSHS), alcohol time trends were described, policy gaps were identified, and harm reduction policy recommendations were made. METHODS In 2005 and 2011, 100 (n = 5109 students) and 44 (n = 2784 students) middle schools were surveyed, respectively. Self-reported cross-sectional data on alcohol use among 7-9th graders in private and public schools was collected including 30-day prevalence, lifetime drunkenness, alcohol-related problems, and sources of alcohol. RESULTS In 2011, the majority (87%) had alcohol before turning 14. Between 2005 and 2011, past 30-day alcohol use had increased by 40% and lifetime drunkenness by 50% in the total sample (122% among females with a narrowing in the gender gap). Drinking was regular for more than a third of the past 30-day drinkers (drank two or more drinks on the days they drank). Male adolescents were more likely to obtain alcohol from "stores" or "through their friends" whereas females' main source was their "family." One in twenty reported experiencing alcohol-related problems (e.g., getting into fights with family/friends and skipping school). Conclusion/Importance: Evidence-informed policy implications include enforcing a minimum legal drinking age, regulating alcohol advertising, and marketing particularly those targeting youth and women, and ensuring the availability of youth-friendly services. Public messages to increase awareness among all stakeholders including youth, their parents, and larger community are also needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rima Afifi
- a American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon
| | - Sonia Fares
- a American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon
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Melhem NM, Jaffa M, Zaatari M, Awada H, Salibi NE, Ramia S. The changing pattern of hepatitis A in Lebanese adults. Int J Infect Dis 2015; 30:87-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2014.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Yasmine R, El Salibi N, El Kak F, Ghandour L. Postponing sexual debut among university youth: how do men and women differ in their perceptions, values and non-penetrative sexual practices? Cult Health Sex 2014; 17:555-575. [PMID: 25391022 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2014.972457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate gender differences in reasoning influencing the postponing of sexual debut among university youth in Lebanon. Findings aimed to develop understandings that might help inform future research on, and programme implementation of, young people's reproductive and sexual health. A cross-sectional survey of sexuality and sexual practices, attitudes and perceptions was conducted among private university students in Lebanon using a secure online method. Of 1838 participating students, 48.7% indicated they had never engaged in oral, anal or vaginal sex (i.e., penetrative sexual activity) during their lifetime (n = 895). Common socio-cultural concerns regarding sexual initiation included: gaining a bad reputation (47%), social rejection (58%), religion (70%) and parental disapproval (61%). Women were four times more concerned than men regarding loss of reputation and self-respect, six times more so regarding parental disapproval and three times more likely to be concerned with societal disapproval. Intrapersonal concerns included fear of contradicting one's own beliefs (67%), feeling guilty afterwards (62%) and losing self-respect (55%). Women were four times more likely to feel loss of self-respect and six times more likely to think sex was disgusting. Underlying reasons for postponing sexual intercourse are linked to adopted fears and social pressures that are internalised, and reinforce existing gender inequalities and reaffirm discriminatory gender norms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rola Yasmine
- a Department of Epidemiology and Population Health , American University of Beirut , Lebanon
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