The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the concomitant administration (co-administration) of inactivated seasonal influenza and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, encouraging the practice for the 2021-2022 flu season. This study aimed to assess the acceptance of simultaneously receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) and the COVID-19 vaccine in a single administration to reduce vaccine rejection towards the COVID-19 vaccination. An online-based cross-section survey was conducted from 1 September to 9 November 2022, in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) through distributing the survey on different social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and WhatsApp. We used the multi-level model to assess the variation of vaccine countries across EMR countries. In total, 3300 participants were included in this survey from 11 countries distributed in the EMR. More than one-third (40.7%) were aged 18-25 years, 60.6% were females, 54.0% had a university degree, 43.1% had previous COVID-19, and 41.9% had relatives or friends who died from COVID-19. In total, 43.3% accepted this combination because it is less costly (9%), safer (18%), more effective (17%), and has fewer doses (19%). Rejection of this combination was due to fear of side effects (31%), and no studies have been published on their effects (31%). There was a significant difference across countries, which accounted for 6% of the variance in the log-odds of accepting the combined vaccination. Multi-level analysis revealed that being male, African and losing a family member or friend from COVID-19 increased the acceptance of the theoretical combined vaccines. Additionally, the number of doses taken of the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines separately significantly affected the combined vaccine acceptance. However, previous COVID-19 infection and older age reduced the odds of accepting the combined vaccines. Occupational level, social status and educational level didn't significantly affect the acceptance odds. We can conclude that combining SIV and COVID-19 vaccines in one shot increased the overall acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among vaccine rejectors.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition among university students that is associated with various lifestyle and psychological factors. The study aims to evaluate the association of psychological factors, physical activity, and dietary habits with the prevalence of GERD among university students in Egypt. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2024 to May 2024, selecting students from different universities in Egypt. A self-administered questionnaire covered sociodemographic characteristics, and GERD assessment using the Gerd Q questionnaire. Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2, Perceived Stress Scale 4, Nordic Physical Activity Questionnaire, and short dietary habits questions were used to assess anxiety, perceived stress, physical activity, and dietary habits, respectively. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and hierarchical logistic regression, which were employed to identify significant predictors of GERD. Among the 2241 university students, 22.6% had GERD (GerdQ score > 8), 86.3% had high perceived stress, and 62.2% had high anxiety levels. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis identified old age, high weight, short height, frequent consumption of fried/fast food, and high anxiety levels as significant predictors of GERD. The study underscores the importance of considering psychological factors and dietary habits alongside traditional risk factors in understanding and addressing GERD among university students in Egypt. Public health interventions targeting psychological well-being and healthier dietary habits will play a pivotal role in reducing this population’s GERD burden.

Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are complex mental health conditions with significant implications for the physical and psychological well-being of youth. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of eating disorders among a sample of Egyptian youth and explore the association between anxiety, social support, and sociodemographic characteristics with eating disorder behaviors. Results: The findings revealed a significant prevalence of eating disorders among the youth participants, with 13.3% meeting the diagnostic criteria. Bulimia Nervosa was the most commonly diagnosed eating disorder, affecting 8.4% of the participants, followed by 1.4% experiencing Binge Eating Disorder. No cases of Anorexia Nervosa were reported. There were no statistically significant sex differences in the prevalence of different types of eating disorders. Higher body mass index (BMI) values and greater anxiety levels were associated with an increased likelihood of having an eating disorder. Conclusions: This study highlights a significant prevalence of eating disorders among Egyptian youth, with Bulimia Nervosa being the most common type. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions and support systems to address the mental health challenges faced by Egyptian youth and promote healthy relationships with food and body image.

Universal screening for developmental language delay (DLD) is of vital importance, as early identification and intervention can significantly reduce the risk of long-term adverse outcomes, including diminished cognitive functioning, impaired communication skills, and literacy difficulties. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with DLD in children. Using a community-based approach, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among residents of the Aseer region in Saudi Arabia. The study population included children aged ≤6 years. Face-to-face interviews were carried out in community settings, including nurseries and schools, where children were screened using the Arabic-translated version of the Preschool Language Scale, Fourth Edition. A total of 410 children were included; their median (interquartile range) age was 46.0 (22.0–65.0) months, 53.2% were females, 82.7% resided in urban areas, 38.5% of the studied parents reported a consanguineous relationship, and 8.5% of families reported a history of speech or language disorders. For auditory comprehension, infants exhibited the highest mean score, while kindergarten-aged children recorded the lowest mean score (105.1 ± 23.6 vs 80.7 ± 24.0; P < .001). Regarding expressive communication, infants had the highest performance, while preschoolers aged 37 to 48 months had the lowest score (101.2 ± 22.0 vs 79.4 ± 20.8; P < .001). Infants had the highest total score, while preschoolers had the lowest (113.7 ± 27.3 vs 80.9 ± 23.8; P < .001). The overall prevalence of DLD was 35.9% among all the studied children. Maternal education levels revealed a significant association, with a higher percentage of mothers in the DLD group having lower education levels compared with the non-DLD group (P = .035). A significant difference was related to the child’s nutrition, as 25.3% of children in the DLD group were breastfed compared with 45.4% who were bottle-fed (P = .001). DLD affects nearly one-third of the studied sample in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia, and it was linked to maternal education and feeding practices. Implementaion of ommunity-based screening and intervention programs are necessary to reduce the burden of DLD.