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In Lebanon, the methods of teaching employed are mostly conventional. Teachers spend a lot of time giving lessons and homework to students, as well as reading assignments and correcting exercises completed in class. Students usually play a passive role in the education process; they listen calmly, occasionally question what is presented, and copy texts and information dictated by the teacher. Textbooks are the major source of instruction, yet many Lebanese schools have partially introduced electronic devices, and have discreetly started to rely on them. Given the reported discrepancies between textbooks and tablets learning, it was essential to conduct a Lebanese study that compares both entities. To assess the influence of textbooks and tablets on cognition and attention, it was also necessary to consider the schooling age that is critical for understanding the human brain and cognition. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the association between of tablet vs. book learning on memory, attention, and learning abilities among Lebanese children. This cross-sectional study, conducted between January-May 2019, enrolled 566 students aged of 11–13 years. Two schools were chosen conveniently for this study, one of them uses the Tablet and text books for students' learning whereas the second one uses text books exclusively. Students were randomly chosen from the list given by the school administration. Textbook learning was significantly associated with better episodic and visual memory, better attention, processing speed and mathematic skills compared to tablets and textbook learning. Learning is evolving to another level and forever changing. Many studies should be conducted in order to understand the importance of merging new and old techniques to ensure that the next generations are receiving what can positively affect their cognitive skills and their performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The study's objective was to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D (VD) levels and cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted between March and July 2016, recruited 196 patients with schizophrenia. The Brief Cognitive Rating Scale (BCRS) and the Morningside Rehabilitation Status Scale (MRSS) were used to measure the severity of cognitive impairment and the level of general functioning in psychiatric patients. Lower scores for both scales indicate a better cognition and functioning respectively. Vitamin D levels of participants were divided into four groups: severe VD deficiency (<10 ng/ml), VD deficiency (10–20 ng/ml), VD insufficiency (20–30 ng/ml), VD sufficiency (>30 ng/ml). Relationships between VD level and cognition and functioning were assessed by analyses of covariance and hierarchical multiple regression, adjusted for age, gender, marital status, education level, sun exposure, physical activity and monthly income. Results: Severe VD deficiency was found in 22 patients with schizophrenia (11.3%), while 45.6% of patients had VD deficiency. Severe VD deficiency was significantly associated with an increase in MRSS score after adjusting for covariates (Beta = 2.44), however, no significant association was found with the BCRS score. Conclusion: These findings suggest that severe VD deficiency in patients with schizophrenia might be associated with low general functioning but could not influence cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Estimate the rate of anxiety disorders (AD) and associated factors among patients with substance use disorder (SUD) in Lebanon. Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted between April and September 2017, enrolled 57 inpatients with SUD. Results: The rate of AD in patients with SUD was 61.4%. The university level of education compared to the primary level of education (ORa = 0.221) was significantly associated with lower anxiety among patients with SUD. Being sexually abused and having a family history of depression tended to significance. Practical Implications: AD is widespread in Lebanon and high rates of anxiety in patients with SUD were found, warranting the implementation of strategic interventions and establishing national policies and legislation for mental health services to provide optimal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the prevalence of medical comorbidities in acute manic patients over a period of 1 year, and to evaluate correlates of the readmission rate. Design/Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 158 acute manic patients from 2016 to 2017. Results: The most common physical comorbidity was obesity (36.1%) followed by cardiovascular disorders (15.2%) and liver dysfunctions (9.3%). Male gender was associated with higher readmission rate (Beta = -0.260), while taking anticholinergic drugs (Beta = -0.338) and having a family history of psychiatric disorders (Beta = -0.222) were associated with lower readmission rate. Practical implications: The study results may help physicians and other clinicians understand the burden of illness recurrence in bipolar disorder type I patients and adopt effective strategies to prevent relapse, taking into account all comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine these temperaments among patients with substance use disorder (SUD) in the Lebanese population. Design: Case‐control. Methods: Fifty‐seven controls and 57 patients with SUD were enrolled between April and September 2017. Results: A significantly higher mean of depressive, irritable, and anxious temperaments was found in addicted patients as compared with the nonaddicts. However, the results of the multivariate analysis showed that anxious, hyperthymic, irritable temperaments would significantly increase the odds of addiction in participants (ORa = 25.20, 1.057, 1.168, 1.241, and 1.275). Cyclothymic temperament would significantly decrease the odds of addiction in participants (ORa = 0.817). Furthermore, suicidality was associated with depressive, anxious, and irritable temperaments. Practice Implications: Hyperthymic, irritable, and anxious temperaments were the main temperaments found in patients with SUD in Lebanon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]