Background: Smoking remains a significant risk factor for numerous health issues, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and respiratory infections. This study investigates the burden of tobacco-related diseases in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Methods: Utilizing the GBD data, we examined the risk of smoking and second-hand smoke exposure and their related causes of death and disability in the 22 MENA countries. Smoking prevalence and disease burden data were analyzed with estimates reported as age-standardized rates. Results: Tobacco abuse accounted for 14.5% of all deaths and 23.2% of deaths tied to known risk factors, with an age-standardized death rate of 110.8 per 100,000. Cardiovascular diseases were the primary cause of smoking-related deaths and DALYs, representing 53.4% of all deaths and 50.3% of all DALYs. This was followed by neoplasms (24.6% of all deaths and 20.3% of all DALYs), chronic respiratory diseases(12.4% of all deaths and 11.9% of all DALYs), and respiratory infections and tuberculosis(4% of all deaths and 3.4% of all DALYs). Second-hand smoking caused 20.5% of tobacco-related deaths and 21.5% of tobacco-related DALYs, disproportionately affecting younger individuals. An increasing disease burden was observed in Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, and Libya, and declining rates were most evident in Oman and Qatar. Conclusion: Our study emphasizes the impact of smoking on cardiovascular disease, the primary cause of smoking-related mortality and morbidity in the MENA region. Our findings highlight the urgent need for effective tobacco control policies and interventions.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in Jordan. Rigorous needs assessment for breast cancer patients can prioritize both cancer care and palliative care to propose the appropriate services effectively. We conducted a cross-sectional study of breast cancer patients in a cancer center in Jordan. We assessed symptom burden, comorbidities, and performance using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and the Australia-modified Karnofsky performance scale (AKPS). Descriptive analysis and regression models to predict the highest symptom burden were used. A total of 233 participants were enrolled: curative vs. palliative intent groups (147 (63%) vs. 86 (37%) patients), respectively. Tiredness was the most reported symptom in 189 patients (81%), while nausea was the least in 61 patients (26.2%). A relationship between the AKPS score and total ESAS was seen (correlation coefficient of −0.487; p < 0.0001). The prevalence of anxiety (p = 0.014), lack of appetite (p = 0.002), poor well-being (p < 0.001), and sleep disorder (p = 0.035) was higher in the palliative care intent group than in the curative one. We identified unmet needs in breast cancer patients. Both groups showed a prevalence of distressing symptoms suggesting that even those with non-palliative intent have high needs and should receive integrated palliative care.

Background: The elective course is part of the 6th-year medical school curriculum in Jordan. Students choose the specialty in which they wish to spend 8 weeks and choose their location even if it is outside their university’s affiliated hospitals. In this study, we try to understand student choices regarding the country of elective, chosen specialty, type of placement (observership/clerkship), and elective general value from participants' perspectives. Methods: This paper used a cross-sectional study. The survey was distributed through social media platforms (mainly Facebook and WhatsApp) targeting 6th-year medical students and doctors who graduated from one of the 5 Jordanian medical schools (the University of Jordan, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Mutah University, Yarmouk University, and Hashemite University). Results: The majority of participants had an international elective (69.6%), mainly in the USA, followed by the UK. Internal medicine was the primary field of interest for 14.8%, followed by general surgery. Of these, 241 (62.6%) actively participated in work at their chosen hospitals as they had a clerkship/hands-on experience. In contrast, 142 (36.9%) were observers. The majority indicated that the elective is worth the time, money, and effort. Moreover, they had adequate supervision throughout the course and could achieve their preset objectives. Conclusions: The elective course gives a unique experience to our students. General satisfaction is an indicator of the success of the course in actively exposing medical students to clinical practice.

Background: Elective course is one of 6th-year medical schools curriculum in Jordan. Students choose the specialty they wish to spend 8 weeks in and choose the place even if it is outside their universitys' affiliated hospitals. In this study, we try to understand students' choices regarding the country of elective, their specialty, type of placements (observership/ clerkship), and participants' perspectives about the elective course and its general value.Methods: Cross-sectional study. The survey distributed through social media platforms (mainly Facebook and Whatsapp) targeting 6th-year medical students and doctors who graduated from one of the 5 Jordanian medical schools (the University of Jordan, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Mutah University, Yarmouk University, Hashemite University). Results: The majority of participants had international elective (69.6%), mainly in the USA followed by the UK. Internal medicine was the field of interest for 14.8%, followed by general surgery 11.2%. 241 (62.6%) actively participated in the elective as they had a clerkship/ hands-on experience. In contrast, 142 (36.9%) were observers. The majority indicated that the elective is worth time, money, and effort. Moreover, they had adequate supervision throughout the course and could achieve their preset objectives. Conclusions: the elective course gives a unique experience to our students. The general satisfaction is an indicator of the success of the course in exposing medical students to clinical practice actively.

BACKGROUND Statistical analysis for the review of medical students of Jordanian medical schools regarding the clinical elective course. For example, where students tend to spend this period and to understand the impact of elective course on professional, personal and cultural levels from the participants' perspective and if it has long-term effects. OBJECTIVE The study aims to understand the effect of the clinical elective course (abroad or inside Jordan) on the medical students of Jordanian universities at professional, personal, and cultural levels. In addition to the long-term impacts. It also aims to explore the best possible ways to take advantage of this course. METHODS A quantitative cross-sectional study. A well-structured questionnaire was distributed through social media platforms targeting doctors and medical students who participated in national or international elective throughout their 6th-year medical school. A total of 385 participants (Mean age is 26.32± 4.072). All doctors and graduates of Jordanian medical schools (class of 2020 and earlier) were invited to participate. RESULTS Most of the participants had international elective (268) compared to (117) who took national elective. Participants rated cross-cultural development following elective among participants who had international elective with the highest mean score of 4.09 (± 0.941) out of 5, followed by personal development. On the professional level, 75% agreed or strongly agreed that elective improved their communication skills with patients. CONCLUSIONS Elective provides an environment that prepares students to participate in clinical medicine and communicates professionally with patients and colleagues. Elective increases the level of self-confidence and self-dependence. Elective also has been shown to reinforce preferred speciality choices and elevate clinical compassion among medical students.