Saja Yazbek

Mrs. Saja Yazbek

Lebanese University, Beirut, Beyrouth, Lebanon
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
15 December 2022 in Vaccines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Ramy Mohamed GhazyRamy Mohamed Ghazy
Ramy Mohamed Ghazy
DODebra Ukamaka Okeh
Debra Ukamaka Okeh
Malik SallamMalik Sallam
Malik Sallam
MHMai Hussein
Mai Hussein
HIHoreya Mohamed Ismail
Horeya Mohamed Ismail
SESamar Abd ElHafeez
Samar Abd ElHafeez
The ongoing monkeypox (MPX) outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern. People in close contact with active MPX cases, including healthcare workers (HCWs), are at higher risk of virus acquisition since the MPX virus can be transmitted by skin contact or respiratory secretions. In this study, we aimed to assess the psychological antecedents of MPX vaccination among Nigerian HCWs using the 5C scale. We used an anonymous online cross-sectional survey to recruit potential participants using snowball sampling. The questionnaire aimed to assess the geo/socioeconomic features and the 5C psychological antecedents of vaccine acceptance (confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility). A total of 389 responses were included, with a median age of 37 years (IQR: 28–48), 55.5% males, and 60.7% married participants. Among the studied Nigerian HCWs, only 31.1% showed confidence in MPX vaccination, 58.4% expressed complacency towards vaccination, 63.8% perceived constraints towards MPX vaccination, 27.2% calculated the benefits and risks of vaccination, and 39.2% agreed to receive MPX vaccination to protect others. The determinants of MPX vaccine confidence were being single (OR = 5.07, 95% CI: 1.26–20.34, p = 0.022), a higher education level (with pre-college/high school as a reference, professional/technical: OR = 4.12, 95% CI: 1.57–10.73, p = 0.004, undergraduate: OR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.32–6.55, p = 0.008, and postgraduate degree (OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.51–8.04, p = 0.003), and absence of chronic disease (OR = 2.57, 95% CI: 1.27–5.22, p = 0.009). The significant complacency predictors were having a middle-income (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.33–0.89, p = 0.008), having a bachelor’s degree (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.10–5.11, p = 0.027), and knowledge of someone who died due to MPX (OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05–0.93, p = 0.040). Income was associated with perceived vaccination constraints (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.39–0.99, p = 0.046). Participants aged 46–60 years had decreased odds in the calculation domain (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.27–0.98, p = 0.044). Middle-income and bachelor degree/postgraduate education significantly influenced the collective responsibility domain (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.19–3.69, p = 0.010; OR = 4.17, 95% CI: 1.85–9.38, p < 0.001; and OR = 3.45, 95% CI: 1.50–7.90, p = 0.003, respectively). An investigation of the 5C pattern-based psychological antecedents of MPX vaccination in a sample of Nigerian HCWs revealed low levels of vaccine confidence and collective responsibility with high levels of constraints and complacency. These psychological factors are recommended to be considered in any efforts aiming to promote MPX vaccination needed in a country where MPX is endemic.

21 January 2023 in Vaccines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Ramy Mohamed GhazyRamy Mohamed Ghazy
Ramy Mohamed Ghazy
SYSaja Yazbek
Saja Yazbek
AGAssem Gebreal
Assem Gebreal
MHMai Hussein
Mai Hussein
SASylvia Agyeman Addai
Sylvia Agyeman Addai
GEGilbert Eshun
Gilbert Eshun
Background: Ghana ranked 31st worldwide and 3rd in Africa in the number of confirmed cases worldwide. We aimed to assess the intention to receive the monkeypox (MPOX) vaccine and its associated psychological antecedents among the Ghanaian population. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Ghana from November to December 2022. Snowball sampling was used to recruit participants via social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Telegram, and Facebook. The validated 5C scale was used to assess five psychological factors that influence vaccination behavior and intent: confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility. Results: The study drew 605 participants; their mean age was 30.0 ± 6.8; 68.1% were single; 60.8 % were males, and 51.9% were living in Greater Accra (The capital and largest city of Ghana). About 53.9% of the studied Ghanaian population did not intend to receive the MPOX vaccination. Vaccine acceptance among non-healthcare workers (non-HCWs) was significantly lower than among HCWs (41.7 vs. 55.3, p < 0.001). The determinants of vaccine acceptance were male gender (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI, 1.00–2.18, p = 0.049), urban residence (AOR = 0.63, 95% CI, 0.41–0.96, p = 0.033), refusal of coronavirus 2019 vaccine (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI, 0.16–0.52, p < 0.001), confidence in vaccination ((AOR = 2.45, 95% CI, 1.93–3.15, and p < 0.001), and collective responsibility (AOR = 1.34, 95% CI, 1.02–1.75, p = 0.034)). Conclusions: The participants in this study did not show high levels of intention to accept the MPOX vaccination. Consequently, tailoring the efforts aiming to promote MPOX vaccination is needed especially among non-HCWs through increasing their confidence in vaccine effectiveness and safety and promoting the importance of self-vaccination to protect others.

23 May 2022 in Foods
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZSZahra Sadek
Zahra Sadek
HMHala Yehya Mohsen
Hala Yehya Mohsen
SYSaja Yazbek
Saja Yazbek
ZNZein alabedeen Adnan Nabolsi
Zein alabedeen Adnan Nabolsi
ASAhmad Rifai Sarraj
Ahmad Rifai Sarraj
MHMaha Hoteit
Maha Hoteit
Athletes are under the utmost pressure to reach excellence in their performance and achieve the desired outcomes in competitions, prompting them to use dietary supplements. Given the threats to both health and eligibility, it is crucial to observe the prevalence, sources of information, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) among Lebanese athletes practicing their sports for at least two years. In the present paper, a cross-sectional study is performed using the snowball sampling method, in which a self-administered KAP questionnaire is used to collect data from 455 athletes (mean age: 27.4 ± 7.9 years; men: 73.1%) participating in four sports categories (ball games, combat sports, endurance sports, and weightlifting). Among the Lebanese athletes, the prevalence of dietary supplement (DS) use was 74%, where half of them had predominately used sports supplements. Athletes in Lebanon heavily rely on coaches (74%) and online sources, including webpages and social media (64%), as key information sources for DSs. The findings suggest that significant proportions of athletes show knowledge deficits and unsatisfactory attitudes towards multiple aspects related to supplementation. Moreover, education and sports type modulate the use of DSs among athletes. Furthermore, 34% reported using supplements without a recommendation from specialists, and 69% admitted to not reading the supplement’s nutrition facts. This study urges the need for the regulation of concerned authorities and education programs to help overcome the existing challenges.