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Travel medicine (TM) focuses on preventing and managing travel-related issues. Evidence has become more important than expert opinions in the development of TM standards. This study aimed to evaluate the training and experience of TM among Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) in Qatar and their associated factors. A cross-sectional study design was employed. A structured questionnaire was utilized to gather data from all PCPs working in publicly funded primary health centers. The study involved 360 PCPs (response rate: 89.5%). Of these, 42.3% reported postgraduate training (15.1%) or experience (27.5%) in TM, with common training forms including workshops (67%), postgraduate programs (24%), and short courses (15%). About 81.8% expressed interest in TM training. Regarding confidence in practicing TM, 20% felt very confident, while 50% felt moderately confident. In practice, 25.8% conducted comprehensive pre-travel risk assessments, and 22.5% responded to traveler queries without formal consultations. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that PCPs who graduated from medical schools in Arab countries, conducting more than ten TM consultations per month, performing comprehensive pre-travel assessments, and those expressing high confidence were more likely to be associated with TM training or experience. Many PCPs in Qatar lack prior training and experience in TM, raising concerns about their ability to provide adequate care to traveling patients. There is a significant need for targeted TM training for PCPs, especially since the majority express a keen interest in receiving such training.

Primary care physicians (PCPs) play a critical role in influencing vaccination decisions, both for their patients and for themselves. However, the success of vaccination programs often depends on the attitudes, perceived risks, and self-efficacy Of PCPs. A cross-sectional study examined influenza-related attitude, self-efficacy, and perceived risk among 190 primary health care physicians using an online survey, 46% of participants believed healthcare professionals do not pose influenza transmission risks to patients. Self-efficacy for vaccination was strongly tied to time availability (73.7% agreement) and institutional vaccine provision (78.9%), with social support from colleagues (79.5%) and relatives (68.9%) further influencing adherence. Male physicians (87.5%) and those with ≥5 prior vaccine doses (88.6%) or recent vaccination (87.3%) reported higher self-efficacy, though chronic disease history showed no significant association. Risk perception disparities emerged: 94.2% acknowledged elevated occupational risk during epidemics, yet only 62.1% perceived personal risk. Similarly, 86.3% viewed influenza as dangerous for patients versus 64.2% for themselves. Higher perceived risk scores correlated with chronic disease history (84.5%), prior vaccination (81.1%), recent vaccination (82.8%), and ≥5 vaccine doses (85.0%). Information sources prioritized official health agencies (Ministry of Public Health: 59.5%; WHO/CDC: 56.3%), while traditional media were least utilized (7.9–21.1%). These findings highlight gaps between professional risk acknowledgment and personal risk mitigation, underscoring the need for targeted strategies to address vaccine hesitancy, improve access, and align perceptions with evidence-based practices in healthcare settings.

Background The scientific literature presents conflicting findings on whether health care workers (HCWs) have better, or worse, cardiovascular health compared to the general population. The study aimed to compare the 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk between the general public and HCWs in Qatar. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted, involving two study groups: the general public and HCWs. Data collection included primary data collected through telephone interviews, as well as secondary data extracted from electronic health records. Combining these data, 10-year ASCVD risk was calculated using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) risk calculator and compared between the two groups. Additionally, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with higher risk among each group. Results A total of 644 participants were included in this study, with 316 from the general public and 328 HCWs. The mean age of the participants was approximately 42 years, with females comprising 52.2% of the total sample. The general public had a significantly higher mean 10-year ASCVD risk than HCWs (8.0% vs. 3.4%, p  < 0.001), even after adjusting for age and gender. Lifestyle emerged as the main independent predictor for higher ASCVD risk in both groups. Additionally, living alone and being a nurse were significant independent predictors of higher risk among HCWs. Conclusions The study found that HCWs have significantly lower ASCVD risk than the general public, mainly due to their healthier lifestyle habits. These findings can help guide policymakers in developing national and community-based strategies to promote healthy lifestyles among the general public in Qatar.

In an era of globalization, travel-related illnesses have become a focus of public ‎health concern, especially in the Arab region where travel health services are insufficient and ‎not well-established. This study was conducted to assess travel vaccine and ‎malaria chemoprophylaxis knowledge and associated predictors among primary care physicians‎ (PCPs) in ‎Qatar. This was a cross-sectional study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect ‎data from all physicians working at all 27 primary healthcare centers from March 1st to May 31st 2020.‎ Knowledge scores were computed and a multivariable linear regression model was built to identify predictors of higher knowledge. A total of 364 PCPs participated (response rate of 89.2%). Participants' mean ‎age was 44.5 (±7.8) with 59.1% being males. Their overall mean knowledge score was 9.54/16 (±3.24). Significant predictors of higher knowledge included: aged 40-49 years ‎(1.072; 95% CI: 0.230, 1.915)‎, had medical degree from non-Arab countries ‏‎(0.748; 95% CI: 0.065, ‎‎1.432)‎‏,‏‎ had training in TM ‏ ‏‎(1.405; 95% CI: 0.407, ‎‎2.403), and provided ≥10 consultations/ month ‎(2.585; 95% CI:1.294, 3.876)‎. Online information was the main reported resource of travel medicine consultation. The overall PCPs' mean percentage knowledge score of travel medicine was 59.6% (±20.3). A high volume of pretravel consultation, prior training, middle age group, and medical degree from non-Arab countries were significant predictors of higher ‎knowledge. Continuing ‎education and training provided by recognised international institutions for all PCPs is highly ‎recommended to narrow the gap in travel medicine knowledge.

Background Although the internet can be a source of reassurance and clarification for expectant women, it could cause concerns or feelings of worry when reading about pregnancy-related information. This research study sought to assess feelings of worry and perceived reliability of online pregnancy-related information and the associated factors among expectant women attending antenatal clinics at primary healthcare centers in Qatar. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used. The participants were recruited through a systematic random sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants. Descriptive and analytic statistics were used as appropriate. Results A total of 327 expectant women completed the questionnaire. Most were aged between 26–34 years (74.1%), held a college/university degree (76.4%), and were multigravidas (73.1%). About one-third of the women (31.2%) reported feeling worried due to information they read online. They coped with these feelings by consulting their antenatal care provider at their next appointment (51.0%) or by talking with relatives and friends (47.0%). Most participants (79.2%) considered online pregnancy-related information to be reliable or highly reliable. Holding a college/university degree and being primigravidae were factors significantly associated with a high perception of reliability of online pregnancy information. Conclusion Although online pregnancy information caused feelings of worry for some expectant women, most perceived such information to be reliable. Thus, antenatal care providers should guide expectant women on how to access high-quality web-based information.

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.

ObjectiveThe 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.DesignA cross-sectional study design was employed.SettingThe study was conducted across six PHC centres in Qatar.ParticipantsPatients, 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 analysisParticipants 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionIn 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 Millions of lives around the world are being saved annually through blood transfusion. However, blood transfusion is among the essential vehicles for transmitting infections. The overall prevalence of Transfusion Transmissible Infections among blood donors differs around the world, reflecting the variation in the prevalence of these infections. This study aims to assess the prevalence and trends of Transfusion Transmissible Infections among blood donors in Qatar. Methods This is a cross-sectional study utilizing donation records of 5 years from January 2013 to December 2017. We included in the study results for all screening and confirmatory tests for Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, Human T-lymphotropic Virus-I/II, Syphilis and Malaria. Results Among the 190,509 donations received at the donation centre during the study period, about 91% of donations were received from males and 9% from females. The overall positivity rate for all tests was 1.87, 2.23, 1.78, 2.31, 2.67% for the years 2013 through 2017, with an increasing yearly trend by 6% each year. The overall positivity rates for Hepatitis C Virus, Human T-lymphotropic Virus-I/II, Hepatitis B Virus, Syphilis and Malaria (2013–2017) were 0.60, 0.18, 0.30, 0.43 and 0.20%, respectively. Conclusion The overall positivity rate of all tests combined for the Transfusion Transmissible Infections demonstrated a gradually increasing trend from 2013 to 2017. However, the trend for each infection (Hepatitis C Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, Syphilis and Malaria) was fluctuating except for Human T-lymphotropic Virus-I/II, which was increasing. Supporting the development of effective prevention and control strategies requires further comprehensive investigations for better estimation of the burden of these infections.

ObjectiveTo estimate the magnitude and the determinants of iron deficiency among adolescents aged 10–19 years in the State of Qatar.DesignA cross-sectional study design was used to conduct the study.SettingPrimary healthcare centres covering the three main geographical areas. One health centre was selected randomly from each region catchment areas: Northern, Central and Western.ParticipantsFour hundred and fifty adolescents aged 10–19 years of all nationalities were enrolled in the study.Outcome measuresSerum ferritin cut-off level used to diagnose iron deficiency (<15 µg/L), with normal C reactive protein.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 14.00±2.920, and more than half of the participating adolescents were among 10–14 years old age group (56.9%). Fifty-five per cent of the study participants were Non-Qatari, and females consisted of 70.0% of the participants. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 26.4%. Iron deficiency was significantly associated with gender, nationality, attaining menarche and consumption of iron absorption enhancers (citrus fruits and juice).ConclusionIron deficiency among adolescents is of moderate public health concern in the country, according to the classification of the WHO. The estimated prevalence of iron deficiency was close to what was found in other low-income and middle-income countries; however, it is still behind the developed countries. Gender, attaining menarche and dietary habits are among the important factors that are associated with iron deficiency. Thus, there is a need to coordinate efforts and resources to address this issue by implementing effective strategies at the community and primary healthcare levels.

Millions of people are looking forward to the biggest event this year \"FIFA World Cup 2022\" taking place in the state of Qatar. This event is an opportunity for people around the world to socialize, connect, celebrate, and enjoy watching football matches. However, the emotional stress experienced by football players and fans during a such major sport event can sometimes result in unfavorable physiological responses that can adversely affect the heart leading to adverse cardiac consequences. In this mini-review, we summarized the evidence and pathophysiology of stress-induced cardiac events during football games, and the potential strategies to prevent stress-induced cardiac events during the FIFA World Cup 2022.