Objectives: Tobacco use among adolescents remains a public health issue. The rise of novel and emerging tobacco products such as Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) has gained popularity and is often marketed as a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of HTP use among Tunisian adolescents, describe patterns and adverse effects associated with these products, and assess the main determinants of HTP use. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in September-October 2024 among a representative sample of adolescents enrolled in middle and high school institutions in Sfax, Tunisia. Data were recorded using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 980 adolescents were enrolled. The prevalence of current HTPs use was 2 % (n=20). Concerning patterns of HTPs use, 44 % (n=11) of ever HTP users obtained their first HTP device from friends, and 64.7 % (n=11) obtained refills from specialty stores. Regarding the reasons for experimentation, curiosity (66.7 %, n=16) and peer influence (28.6 %, n=6) were the most cited reasons. As for the reported adverse effects, drowsiness (38.1 %, n=8) was the most frequently reported among ever HTP users. Multivariate analysis revealed that factors independently associated with current HTP use among adolescents were current shisha use (AOR=19.91; p=0.005), having a brother who uses HTP (AOR=19.64; p=0.016), and current use of conventional cigarettes (AOR=9.02; p=0.021). Conclusions: Our study showed a relatively low but non – negligible prevalence of HTPs use among adolescents. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies and stricter enforcement of regulations prohibiting the sale of these products to adolescents.

Background and aims: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common malignancy among Tunisian men, although screening uptake remains low due to limited awareness and cultural barriers. Thus, this study aimed to assess the levels of knowledge, attitudes, cultural beliefs, views, and screening behaviors related to PCa among men aged 40 and above in the Sfax region of Tunisia and to identify factors influencing these dimensions. Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 among 1,520 men using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic and clinical factors, knowledge of PCa, attitudes, cultural beliefs, views, and screening practices. The obtained data were entered, verified, and analyzed using SPSS 25. Ultimately, univariate tests and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: Based on the results, participants demonstrated low knowledge (n=922; 60.7%), negative attitudes (n=1304, 85.8%), and moderate cultural beliefs (n=869, 57.2%). Only 7.4% had ever undergone PCa screening (n=113), and 68.7% expressed a willingness to perform screening in the future (n=966). Moreover, screening uptake was significantly associated with high knowledge (OR=4.399, P<0.001), positive attitudes (OR=4.579, P<0.001), and weak cultural beliefs (OR=0.251, P<0.001). Finally, barriers included lack of symptoms (55.2%), financial constraints (47.3%), and low perceived risk (46.3%). Conclusion: Overall, PCa screening remains low in the Sfax region, driven by limited knowledge, negative attitudes, and influential cultural beliefs. In general, higher knowledge and positive attitudes increased screening uptake, while strong cultural beliefs reduced it. Accordingly, improving awareness and addressing cultural and financial barriers are essential to enhance early detection.

Background: Workplace violence against hospital personnel is a significant occupational and public health concern that can compromise care quality and staff wellbeing. This study aimed to estimate its prevalence, describe its forms and outcomes, and identify associated factors, legal actions, and psychological outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 4 months (August–November 2024) in the Hedi Chaker University Hospital and Habib Bourguiba University Hospital in Sfax. A representative sample of hospital personnel completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 406 hospital personnel were included. The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.24, and the median age was 36 years (IQR: 30–45). The prevalence of verbal, physical, and sexual violence was 63.1% ( n = 256), 17% ( n = 69), and 2% ( n = 8), respectively. Legal action was taken by 24 participants (9.6%). Multivariate analysis revealed that verbal violence was independently associated with overcrowded workplace (AOR = 0.12; p = 0.002) and poor medical services and a lack of hospital supplies (AOR = 7.3; p = 0.007), while physical violence was associated with patient death (AOR = 2.6; p = 0.003) and age ≥40 years (AOR = 1.7; p = 0.042). Taking legal action was more frequent after physical violence (COR = 8.08; p < 0.001) and among personnel working in intensive care units (COR = 14; p = 0.02), and less frequent among physicians (COR = 0.2; p = 0.042). Physical violence was significantly associated with insecurity, hypervigilance, mental health consultation for anxiety, depressive, and post-traumatic stress-related symptoms, social impairment, and sleep disorders (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Workplace violence in Sfax university hospitals was frequent and strongly associated with psychological outcomes, highlighting the need to strengthen prevention strategies, improve communication and training, and ensure adequate psychological support for hospital personnel.

Introduction: post-COVID refers to symptoms and health problems that continue or develop after the initial phase of a COVID-19 infection has resolved. It represents a huge public health issue, leading to considerable illness and lowering the quality of life for those affected. Our study aimed first to provide a general description of post-COVID conditions and then to examine the specific aspects of fatigue, cognitive complaints, dyspnea, anxiety, and depression in patients followed up in the pulmonology department of CHU Hedi Chaker, Sfax. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study in the pulmonology department of CHU Hedi Chaker, Sfax in 2024 using an anonymous self-questionnaire with 4 validated scales to assess cognitive complaint, fatigue, dyspnea, as well as anxiety, and depression. Results: overall, 75 participants were included, with a sex ratio of 0.63 and a median age of 45 years (interquartile range (IQR= [35-66 years]). The evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 symptoms on daily life showed that 45.3% of the participants (n= 34) reported that fatigue had a severe impact on daily life, while 33.3% (n= 25) reported severe impacts from stress and negative emotions. The prevalences of fatigue, cognitive complaints, very severe dyspnea, anxiety, and depression based on the scale used were 88% (n= 66), 80% (n= 60), 14.7% (n= 11), 44% (n= 33) and 28.6% (n= 21), respectively. The factor most associated with fatigue in the population was cognitive complaints (OR= 25.3, p<0.001), while the factor most associated with dyspnea was age between 70 and 95 (OR= 12.85; p= 0.006). Furthermore, the factor most significantly associated with cognitive complaints was anxiety with an OR of 25.3 and p<0.001. As for anxiety and depression, the most associated factors were cognitive complaints and depression (OR=25.3; p<0.001) vs (OR= 27.1; p<0.001), respectively. Conclusion: our study shows significant prevalences of post-COVID symptoms, such as fatigue, cognitive complaints, severe dyspnea, anxiety, and depression. Thus, post-COVID syndrome poses a significant public health challenge due to its wide array of symptoms that continue to affect individuals' health.