Background: Mental health literacy (MHL) has been relatively neglected, despite the increase of mental health illnesses worldwide, as well as within the Middle East region. A low level of MHL may hinder public acceptance of evidence-based mental health care.Aim: This systematic review aims to identify and appraise existing research, focusing on MHL among adults in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, PsychInfo, and Medline) was carried out from database inception to July 2019, in order to identify peer-reviewed journal articles that investigated MHL in the GCC countries. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were: cross-sectional studies, reported in English, targeted adults (aged 18 and above), conducted in any of the GCC countries, include at least one outcome measure of the main components of MHL: knowledge of mental illnesses and their treatment, stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illnesses, and seeking help for self and offering help.Results: A total of 27 studies (16,391 participants) were included. The outcome across studies varied due to disparity in the tested populations. Findings show that limited MHL was observed among participants, even health care professionals. Results also show a high cumulative level of stigma and negative attitude towards mental health illness in the public. Negative beliefs and inappropriate practices are common, as well. The majority of studies yielded a moderate to high risk of bias.Conclusion: This work indicates that research on MHL must be tackled through well-designed large-scale studies of the public. Campaigns to promote early identification and treatment of mental illness is also encouraged to improve overall level of MHL in the general population of the GCC region.Registration number:PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018104492.

Polypharmacy has become a global public health concern particularly in the elderly population. The elderly population is the most susceptible to the negative effects of polypharmacy due to their altered pharmacokinetics and decreased drug clearance. Therefore, polypharmacy can lead to poor health status and higher rates of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy (≥ 5 drugs) and its association with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in elderly (≥65 years) Qatari patients attending Primary Healthcare (PHC) centers in Qatar. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) database of all PHC centers in Qatar for six months (April-September 2017). Out of 5639 patients screened, 75.5% (95% CI: 74.3–76.6) were exposed to polypharmacy. Females were 1.18 times more likely to have polypharmacy compared to males (95% CI: 1.03–1.34). The multivariate analysis identified having hypertension (AOR 1.71; 95% CI: 1.38–2.13), diabetes (AOR 2.38; 95% CI: 1.97–2.87), dyslipidemia (AOR 1.29; 95% CI: 1.06–1.56), cardiovascular disease (AOR 1.56; 95% CI: 1.25–1.95) and asthma (AOR 1.39; 95% CI: 1.13–1.72) to be independent parameters associated with polypharmacy. Also, the Body Mass Index (BMI) and number of NCDs were found to be significant independent parameters associated with polypharmacy. The prevalence of polypharmacy among Qatari elderly attending PHC Centers is very high. Our findings confirm the strong relationship between polypharmacy and BMI, and certain NCDs. Healthcare professionals should be educated about the magnitude of polypharmacy, its negative effects, and its associated factors. Best practice guidelines should be developed for improved medical practice in the prescription of medications for such a vulnerable population.

Objective The current study aimed to assess the awareness of colorectal cancer (CRC) symptoms and risk factors among the at-risk population visiting the primary healthcare (PHC) centres in Qatar. The secondary objective was to assess the differences in awareness among population subgroups. Design A cross-sectional study design was employed. Setting The study was conducted across six PHC centres in Qatar. Participants Patients, or their accompanying people, aged 50–74 years and Arabic or English speakers, were recruited from the main waiting areas of the selected PHC centres. Data collection and analysis Participants were interviewed using the validated Bowel/Colorectal Cancer Awareness Measure questionnaire. A non-probability convenient sampling technique was applied to recruit participants. Descriptive and analytic statistics were used when appropriate. A multivariate linear regression model was constructed to identify the independent predictors of CRC awareness. Results The study includes 448 participants (response rate=87%). The mean age of the participants was 58.48 years (SD ±6.37). The mean awareness score among the participants was 3.63/9 (SD ±2.7) for CRC symptoms and 5.43/11 (SD ±3.3) for CRC risk factors. The overall mean awareness score was 9.03/20 (SD ±5.5). Multivariate linear regression identified the female gender (2.52 (95% CI 1.15 to 3.88)), non-Qatari Arab (2.91 (95% CI 1.64 to 4.18)) or non-Arab nationalities (1.76 (95% CI 0.28 to 3.24)), and tertiary education (4.10 (95% CI 2.55 to 5.66)) as independent predictors of higher CRC awareness. Conclusion In general, the awareness of CRC symptoms and risk factors was low among the at-risk population in Qatar. Specifically, the regression analysis showed men, Qataris, and those with no formal education had low awareness of CRC symptoms and risk factors. Such results emphasise the importance of tailoring future educational campaigns that are relevant, specific and appealing to such cohort.

Background Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) often lead to sub-optimal or poor health outcomes in older adults. Objective The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of PIM prescription among older adults in Qatar. Patients and Methods This was a cross-sectional, retrospective study using data from the electronic medical records of Qatari patients (age ≥ 65 years) attending the 23 primary healthcare (PHC) centers in Qatar from April 1, 2017 to September 30, 2017. PIMs were identified based on the Beers 2015 criteria: (1) medications to avoid for many or most older adults, and (2) medications to be used with caution in older adults. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the prevalence of PIM prescription; multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of PIM prescription among the study population. Results 5639 older adults were included with a mean age of 72.8 (± 6.5) years; 53.8% were females. The prevalence of PIMs that should be avoided was 60.7%, with the most prevalent ones being gastrointestinal (84.2%), pain (49.9%), and central nervous system (10.4%) drugs. Most patients (61.1%) were prescribed one PIM, 26.9% two PIMs, and 12.0% three or more PIMs. The prevalence of PIMs that should be used with caution was 40.6%, with diuretics (83.1%), antidepressants (25.7%), and antiplatelets (18.3%) as the most prevalent drug classes. Multivariable logistic regression showed female gender, polypharmacy, and certain comorbidities to be significant predictors of PIM prescription. Conclusions Older adults attending Qatar’s 23 PHC centers are prescribed a high number of PIMs. Because of the high risk of PIM prescription, the practice of medication reconciliation should be strengthened and reinforced.

Background: Internet usage has been steadily increasing and the available online information for pregnant women today is immense. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of women who search for information relating to pregnancy on the internet and to identify predictors of this behavior among expecting women visiting primary health care (PHC) centers in Qatar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the antenatal clinics of six PHC centers in Qatar from June 1 to December 31, 2019. Pregnant women were recruited through a systematic random sampling technique. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and analytic statistics were used when appropriate. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was constructed to identify the predictors of internet use for pregnancy-related information. Results: The study included 403 pregnant women (response rate: 87.9%). Most of them were in the 26–35 years age category (71.5%), in the second trimester (55.5%), and had 1–2 children at home (51.5%). The internet was the most common source (81.1%) of pregnancy-related information. The access to online information was mainly through websites (67.3%), mobile applications (48.3%), and social media platforms (39.7%). The most frequently searched topics online were fetal development (74.3%), diet during pregnancy (53.6%), and management of health problems (39.6%). The multivariable regression model identified the age group 26–35 years (AOR: 4.93; 95% CI: 2.14, 11.38), Arabs (AOR: 4.12; 95% CI: 2.03, 8.36), tertiary education (AOR: 5.22; 95% CI: 1.78, 15.33), being a housewife (AOR: 6.37; 95% CI: 1.44, 28.19), or employed (AOR: 5.56 95% CI: 1.31, 23.63), and having up to 2 children as independent predictors of internet use for pregnancy-related information. Conclusion: The internet was a commonly used source of health information among pregnant women in Qatar. Internet use was significantly associated with the age group of 26–35 years, Arabs, higher level of education, being employed or a housewife, and having up to two children.

Multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) remains a major complication and challenge to treat patients with critical illness in different intensive care unit settings. The exact mechanism and pathophysiology of MODS is complex and remains unexplored. We reviewed the literature from January 2011 to August 2019 to analyze the underlying mechanisms, prognostic factors, MODS scoring systems, organ systems dysfunctions, and the management of MODS. We used the search engines PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar with the keywords “multiple organ dysfunction syndrome,” “intensive care units,” “multiorgan failure,” “MODS scoring system,” and “MODS management.” The initial search yielded 3550 abstracts, of which 91 articles were relevant to the scope of the present article. A better understanding of a disease course will help differentiate the signs of an intense inflammatory response from the early onset of sepsis and minimize the inappropriate use of medications. This, in turn, will promote organtargeted therapy and prevent occurrence and progression of MODS.