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INTRODUCTION Despite tobacco control prevention programs, many adolescents start smoking at school age. The main objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of smoking, secondhand smoke exposure, and susceptibility to smoking among middle-school students aged 11-16 years, using the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), in Sousse, Tunisia, 2020. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 306 students aged 11-16 years enrolled in 12 classes from 2 public middle schools in Sousse, Tunisia, during the school year 2020-2021. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) self-administered questionnaire on smoking was used to assess their smoking habits. RESULTS In total, 35.3% of students reported that they had tried cigarettes in the past, while 17.6% reported currently being cigarette smokers, with a higher prevalence among boys (30.6%) than in girls (7.6%) (p<0.001). Of the students, 59.2% had been exposed to secondhand smoke at home and 66% in public places. Of the current cigarette smokers, 47.2% usually purchased their cigarettes in a store or market, and 34.5 % had not been prevented from purchasing them despite their age. Overall, more than half (54%) of current cigarette smokers wanted to stop smoking immediately, and 66.7% had tried to quit smoking. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of smoking among adolescents in the study is high. The results suggest that adolescents have relatively easy access to cigarettes and are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in public places. Implementing measures to stop tobacco use and its new forms of consumption among adolescents is imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Early adolescence is a critical period usually associated with experimentation with illicit substances. In Tunisia few studies explored these risk behaviors among young adolescents. Aims To evaluate the prevalence and the predictors of the use of illicit substances among the young adolescents of Sousse. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the region of Sousse, Tunisia during the 2013/2014 school year among 4272 schoolchildren in 16 public middle schools. Data about psychosocial characteristics and risk behaviors among the schoolchildren, their parents, their siblings and their friends were collected anonymously using a self-administrated questionnaire. Results Females represented 50.5% of participants. The mean age of schoolchildren was 13.3 (±1.2) years. Lifetime illicit substances use prevalence was 2.9% [confidence interval (CI) 95%: (2.4%-3.4%)] and lifetime use of tobacco prevalence was 12.9% [CI 95%: (11.9%-13.9%)]. The age of tobacco onset was significantly younger to the age of experimentation with illicit substances. Insomnia, sadness and illicit substances use among peers were associated with illicit substances use among participants. While the most influential risk factor on illicit substances use was current cigarette smoking with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 7.2 [CI 95%: (4.5-11.2)]. Conclusion A national substances use prevention program should be implemented in the schools of Tunisia with an emphasis on tobacco use prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology of pathogenic respiratory agents in patients aged 0 to 12 months and hospitalized for acute respiratory infections in Tunisia between 2013 and 2014. Methods: A total of 20 pathogens, including viruses, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, were detected using molecular sensitive assays, and their associations with the patient's demographic data and season were analyzed. Results: Viral infectious agents were found in 449 (87.2%) of 515 specimens. Dual and multiple infectious agents were detected in 31.4% and 18.6% of the samples, respectively. Viral infection was predominant in the pediatric environment (90.8%, P < 0.001), male patients (88.0%), and spring (93.8%). Rhinovirus was the most detected virus (51.8%) followed by respiratory syncytial virus A/B (34.4%), coronavirus group (18.5%), adenovirus (17.9%), and parainfluenza viruses 1‐4 (10.9%). Respiratory Syncytial virus A/B was significantly associated with gender (38.0% male cases vs 28.3% female cases, P = 0.02). Infections by Adenovirus, Bocavirus, and Metapneumovirus A/B increased with increasing age of patients (predominated cases aged 6‐12 months, P < 0.001). S. pneumoniae was detected in 30.9% of th tested samples. In 18.2% of the negative viral infections, only S. pneumoniae was identified. Conclusion: A predominance of the rhinovirus infection was observed in this study. Coronavirus subtypes were described for the first time in Tunisia. The observed different pathogenic profiles across age groups could be helpful to avoid the misclassification of patients presenting with ARIs at the triage level when no standardized protocol is available. This study will provide clues for physicians informing decisions regarding preventive strategies and medication in Tunisia. This study provides a useful starting point for a better understanding about the circulation of respiratory infectious agents in the area of Sousse, Tunisia. It will participate to reduce the overuse of unnecessary antibiotics in public hospitals which will avoid bacterial resistance and contribute to the implementation of preventive strategies and control systems in Tunisia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The standard process of central sterilization is crucial for the optimal functioning of the operating room. The outcome of this process is closely linked to the steps preceding the steps prior to the sterilization step itself. These steps include pre-disinfection carried out in the operating rooms and other stages, namely washing, drying and packaging, which must be performed in the central sterilization unit. In this context, this study aimed to describe the knowledge of the staff in the operating rooms and the central sterilization unit at Sahloul University Hospital in Sousse (Tunisia) in 2022, regarding the steps prior to the sterilization of reusable thermoresistant medical devices and to describe their practices in terms of compliance with these steps., Method: A descriptive study was conducted from January 2022 to June 2022 with the aforementioned staff, using a self-administered questionnaire to assess their knowledge of the pre-sterilization steps and a direct observation audit of their practices with regard to these steps. Both measurement instruments were pre-tested., Results: Out of 102 self-administered questionnaires (knowledge assessment) distributed to the staff concerned, only 80 were returned and correctly filled out, giving a response rate of 78.4%. Participants' responses regarding the order of steps prior to the sterilization were incorrect in 64% of cases. With regard to the evaluation of professional practices, 224 observations were made in the study area (practice audit). In 82% of these observations, the pre-disinfection step was confused with the washing step. The use of Betadine brushes and scrubbing pads for device washing was noted in 89.3%, along with the absence of swabbing of the canals and hollow parts in 9.4% of cases and the absence of drying of the canals with compressed air., Conclusion: Mastery of the steps prior to sterilisation of reusable thermoresistant medical devices was insufficient in our institution, suggesting the importance of reinforcing the implementation of the procedure through a continuous training program followed by action plans., (Copyright © 2024 Académie Nationale de Pharmacie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Aim of the Study: To describe the results of a therapeutic education program (cessation rate and success factors) among smoking coronary patients followed in the smoking cessation clinic at Sahloul University Hospital in Sousse during the period from 2015 to 2020., Patients and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among smokers with coronary artery disease who presented to the smoking cessation clinic at Sahloul University Hospital during the period from 2015 to 2020. The data collection was done by reviewing the records of smokers. We defined cessation as complete and continuous abstinence at 1 week, at 3 months, at 6 months and at 12 months and more. The study of cessation success factors involved subjects whose cessation was maintained for 1 year or more., Results: Among 93 patients with coronary artery disease, the prevalences of smoking cessation rates were 54.8% (n = 51), 44.1% (n = 41), 35.5% (n = 33), 31.2% (n = 29), and 24.7% (n = 23) at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months respectively. In univariate analysis, the number of visits greater than or equal to three (p = 0.000) and nicotine treatment (p = 0.018) were significantly associated with successful smoking cessation at 12 months. In multivariate analysis, being non-active (p = 0.028) with a Fagerstrom score <7 (p = 0.040) and three or more visits (p = 0.005) were the independent factors associated with successful smoking cessation at 12 months., Conclusion: The evaluation of the smoking cessation axis of therapeutic education of the coronary patient with tobacco addiction at the Sahloul University Hospital, allowed us to note that the cessation rate is comparable or even higher than that of other studies. However, the rate of maintenance of this cessation at 1 year and more proved to be low despite the strong motivation of the consultants. This observation allows us to better orientate the areas of improvement in the management of our consultants., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Simulation is one of the educational tools that can be used in the learning process to help with smoking cessation., Aim: To synthesize all the publications studying the contribution of simulation as an educational tool in the acquisition of skills to help with smoking cessation., Methods: We performed a systematic review of the Francophone and Anglophone literature over the past 24 years (1997 to 2020) using the PubMed, Science Direct and Cochrane Library databases., Results: A total of 14 articles were included. The most used methods were thestandardized patient, role play and video projection with discussion. The simulation hasnot only proved its effectiveness in terms of acquiring knowledge and self-confidencein the management of the smoking patient in the short term, but also in the acquisition of verbal and non-verbal skills in the long term., Conclusion: This review highlighted the interest of simulation as an educational tool to acquire skills to help with smoking cessation regardless of the method used.

Background: Although efforts to manage coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have understandably taken immediate priority, the impacts on traditional healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance and prevention efforts remain concerning., Aim: To describe trends in HAIs in a Tunisian university hospital through repeated point prevalence surveys over 9 years, assess the impact of measures implemented for COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify associated factors of HAI., Methods: The current study focused on data collected from annual point prevalence surveys conducted from 2012 to 2020. All types of HAIs as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were included. Data collection was carried out using NosoTun plug. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis were used to identify HAI risk factors., Results: Overall, 2729 patients were observed in the 9 surveys; the mean age was 48.3 ± 23.3 years and 57.5% were male. We identified 267 infected patients (9.8%) and 296 HAIs (10.8%). Pneumonia/lower respiratory tract infections were the most frequent HAI (24%), followed by urinary tract infection (20.9%).The prevalence of infected patients increased from 10.6% in 2012 to 14.9% in 2020. However, this increase was not statistically significant. The prevalence of HAIs increased significantly from 12.3% to 15.5% ( P =.003). The only decrease involved is bloodstream infections (from 2% to 1%). Independent risk factors significantly associated with HAI were undergoing surgical intervention (aOR = 1.7), the use of antibiotic treatment in previous 6 months (aOR = 1.8), peripheral line (aOR=2), parenteral nutrition (aOR=2.4), urinary tract within 7 days (aOR=2.4), central line (aOR = 6.3), and prosthesis (aOR = 12.8), length of stay (aOR = 3), and the year of the survey. Young age was found as protective factor (aOR = .98)., Conclusion: Contrary to what was expected, we noticed an increase in the HAIs rates despite the preventive measures put in place to control the COVID-19 pandemic. This was partly explained by the vulnerability of hospitalized patients during this period.

Objective: To determine the incidence and risk factors of adverse events (AE) in a Tunisian university hospital., Method: We carried out a longitudinal observational study in 2016 over a period of 3&#160;months in the Sahloul university hospital of Sousse, Tunisia. Data were collected using a pretested form filled by doctors previously trained in the collection methodology, upon each visit to all hospitalized patients., Results: Overall, 1,357&#160;patients were eligible. We identified 168&#160;AEs in 131&#160;patients with AEs incidence of 12.4% (95% CI: [7.41 &#8211; 17.38]), and patient incidence of 9.7% (95% CI: [4.63 &#8211; 14.76]). The incidence density of AEs was 1.8&#160;events per 100&#160;days of hospitalization. Hospital acquired infection and unplanned readmission related to previous healthcare management were the most common AEs (43.4 and 12.5% respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed as independent factors of AEs: surgery (P&#160;= 0.013; RR&#160;=&#160;1.68; CI: [1.11-2.54]), the use of central-venous-catheter (P&#160;&lt;&#160;10&#8211;3; RR&#160;=&#160;4.1&#160;; CI: [2.1-8]), tracheotomy (P&#160;=&#160;0.001; RR&#160;=&#160;21.8; CI: [3.7-127.8]), transfusion (P&#160;= 0.014; RR&#160;=&#160;2.1; CI: [1.16-3.87]) and drug intake (P&#160;= 0.04; RR&#160;=&#160;2.2; CI:&#160;[1.04-4.7])., Conclusion: The present study showed a high incidence of AEs and the involvement of invasive devices in their occurrence. Thus, targeted interventions are needed.

Background: Smoking is a public health problem because of its high prevalence and its serious consequences at all levels., Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of smoking among workers in a private company and describe the characteristics of smokers to guide prevention efforts., Methods: It is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2010 among all employees of a private company. Data collection was done by a questionnaire administered by interview., Results: The participation rate was 90.4%. All smokers were men, with a prevalence of active smoking among men of 57.9%. The mean age of smokers was 33.2 ± 8 years, significantly lower than nonsmokers. The comparison between smokers and nonsmokers according to occupational category showed a statistically significant difference. Among smokers, 43.6% were in the contemplation stage and 46.3% at the stage of preparation for smoking cessation., Conclusion: An intervention for prevention and fight against smoking in the workplace should be established for the promotion of employee health.