How can we enhance sexual health outcomes in men who have sex with men in Lebanon?

In Lebanese men who have sex with men (MSM), the prevalence of HIV is 12% and the prevalence of having at least one symptom of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is 34.9%.1 Low HIV testing rates, unprotected unprotected sexual intercourse, alcohol and substance use contribute to this epidemic.2 Here we present data on the prevalence of STIs in a sample of MSM attending a sexual health clinic in order to identify the correlates of risk-taking behaviour, and of testing behaviour in this population. Addressing these questions is crucial for reducing the incidence of HIV/STIs and, thus, for enhancing sexual health outcomes in this high-risk population in Lebanon

Instabilities and sensitivities in a flow over a rotationally flexible cylinder with a rigid splitter plate

This paper investigates the origin of flow-induced instabilities and their sensitivities in a flow over a rotationally flexible circular cylinder with a rigid splitter plate. A linear stability and sensitivity problem is formulated in the Eulerian frame by considering the geometric nonlinearity arising from the rotational motion of the cylinder which is not present in the stationary or purely translating stability methodology. This nonlinearity needs careful and consistent treatment in the linearised problem particularly when considering the Eulerian frame or reference adopted in this study and not so widely considered. Two types of instabilities arising from the fluid-structure interaction are found. The first type of the instabilities is the stationary symmetry-breaking mode, which was well reported in previous studies. This instability exhibits a strong correlation with the length of the recirculation zone. A detailed analysis of the instability mode and its sensitivity reveals the importance of the flow near the tip region of the plate for the generation and control of this instability mode. The second type is an oscillatory torsional flapping mode, which has not been well reported. This instability typically emerges when the length of the splitter plate is sufficiently long. Unlike the symmetry breaking mode, it is not so closely correlated with the length of the recirculation zone. The sensitivity analysis however also reveals the crucial role played by the flow near the tip region in this instability. Finally, it is found that many physical features of this instability are reminiscent of those of the flapping (or flutter instability) observed in a flow over a flexible plate or a flag, suggesting that these instabilities share the same physical origin

Investigating the Security of EV Charging Mobile Applications As an Attack Surface

The adoption rate of EVs has witnessed a significant increase in recent years driven by multiple factors, chief among which is the increased flexibility and ease of access to charging infrastructure. To improve user experience, increase system flexibility and commercialize the charging process, mobile applications have been incorporated into the EV charging ecosystem. EV charging mobile applications allow consumers to remotely trigger actions on charging stations and use functionalities such as start/stop charging sessions, pay for usage, and locate charging stations, to name a few. In this paper, we study the security posture of the EV charging ecosystem against remote attacks, which exploit the insecurity of the EV charging mobile applications as an attack surface. We leverage a combination of static and dynamic analysis techniques to analyze the security of widely used EV charging mobile applications. Our analysis of 31 widely used mobile applications and their interactions with various components such as the cloud management systems indicate the lack of user/vehicle verification and improper authorization for critical functions, which lead to remote (dis)charging session hijacking and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks against the EV charging station. Indeed, we discuss specific remote attack scenarios and their impact on the EV users. More importantly, our analysis results demonstrate the feasibility of leveraging existing vulnerabilities across various EV charging mobile applications to perform wide-scale coordinated remote charging/discharging attacks against the connected critical infrastructure (e.g., power grid), with significant undesired economical and operational implications. Finally, we propose counter measures to secure the infrastructure and impede adversaries from performing reconnaissance and launching remote attacks using compromised accounts

Self-harm and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 outbreak in Lebanon: a preliminary study

Purpose: This cross-sectional study focuses on the social psychological correlates of self-harm and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 outbreak in Lebanon, which is a country characterized by political and economic instability. Design: A convenience sample of 191 Lebanese individuals completed measures of length of being in lockdown, fear of COVID-19, job insecurity, political trust, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests and multiple regression. Findings: Fear of COVID-19 was associated with neither self-harm nor suicidal ideation. Males and people with lower income reported higher suicidal ideation than females and those with higher income, respectively, and religiosity was inversely associated with suicidal ideation. People who reported self-harm generally exhibited lower political trust than those who did not report self-harm. Research implications: Beyond fear of COVID-19, the socio-economic sequelae of COVID-19 (especially the economic fallout and declining political trust), which are accentuated in already economically and politically unstable societies, may precipitate poor mental health and maladaptive coping strategies in Lebanon. There is a need to ensure adequate access to mental health services to the general population amid the COVID-19 outbreak in Lebanon. Originality/value: This study provides novel insight into the risk factors for self-harm and suicidal ideation in Lebanon during the COVID-19 pandemic

Emerging impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on sexual health in Lebanon

Lebanon registered its first coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) case on 21 February 2020, which was followed by a nationwide lockdown (15 March to 8 June), resulting in strict curfews, the prohibition of public gatherings and the closure of the international airport in Beirut. The pandemic has had compounding effects on the political and economic crisis with severe economic and health consequences

Managing HIV prevention in the Eastern Mediterranean Region during the COVID19 outbreak: challenges and opportunities

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global pandemic and has had a significant impact on society, health and wellbeing in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). There is limited insight into the potential impact of the pandemic on HIV outcomes. This paper focuses on the challenges and opportunities for HIV management amid the COVID-19 outbreak and provides three key recommendations for the EMR: condom distribution and packaging in light of physical distancing measures through civil organizations; implementation of a special hotline for HIV/sexual health through community testing centers; and most importantly scale-up of the recently implemented HIV self-testing which plays a crucial role in the management of HIV during COVID-19

Psychological distress and self-harm in a religiously diverse sample of Lebanese students

Drawing on identity process theory from social psychology, this study explores the protective and risk factors of psychological distress and self-harm in a religiously diverse sample of heterosexual and non-heterosexual students at an English-speaking university in Lebanon. A convenience sample of 209 undergraduate students participated in a cross-sectional survey and completed measures of religiosity, identity threat, psychological distress and self-harm. Results indicated that non-heterosexual participants exhibited higher levels of psychological distress, were more likely to report self-harm, and reported lower levels of religiosity than their heterosexual counterparts. The multiple regression analyses showed that religiosity is protective against psychological distress, and that sexual orientation distress predicts self-harm. In order to reduce the risk of psychological distress and self-harm, it will be necessary to challenge stigma towards sexual minorities, to promote engagement with a broader range of social identity categories (other than just religion), and to ensure that individuals of all faiths and sexualities in Lebanon are able to access counselling support if they require it