Knowledge and Perception of and Attitude toward a Premarital Screening Program in Qatar: A Cross-Sectional Study

Premarital screening (PMS) is a primary preventive measure to decrease the incidence of certain genetic disorders and sexually transmitted diseases. This study aimed to explore the knowledge and perception of and the attitude toward PMS and predictors of knowledge and atti-tude. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Qatar University students using an online sur-vey. Multivariable regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with PMS knowledge and attitude. A total of 476 students participated in the study; 424 (89.1%) were females; two-thirds were 18–21 years old. Only 100 participants had heard about PMS. Knowledge of PMS was significantly associated with females, students enrolled in a health-related college, and non-consanguineous marriage of a participant’s parents. The majority of the participants agreed that genetic diseases are psychological and economic burdens. For attitude, only 178 participants were willing to cancel marriages, given incompatible PMS results. The following factors were positively associated with attitude: PMS knowledge, enrollment in a health-related college, and the belief that PMS does not interfere with destiny. Our study findings revealed that despite the mandatory PMS in Qatar, the study participants, future couples, had low knowledge about the program. Therefore, strategies to increase awareness of PMS should be considered toward improving its outcomes.This study was supported by Qatar University (internal grant #QUCP-CHS-2018\2019-1). The authors are solely responsible for the findings reported

Association between waterpipe smoking and obesity: Population-based study in Qatar

Introduction: Over the past decade obesity prevalence has been increasing rapidly in the Gulf region (GR) including Qatar, becoming one of the major health issues in the region. Concomitantly, waterpipe (WP) smoking is increasing worldwide especially in the GR, and although the effect of cigarette smoking on body weight is well-established, studies indicating an association between WP smoking and obesity are scarce. Thus, we explored the association between WP smoking and obesity in comparison with cigarette smokers and healthy population in Qatar. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study using data from Qatar Biobank and analyzed anthropometric measurements among 879 adults (aged 18–65 years) that included WP smokers, cigarette smokers, dual smokers and never smokers. Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis and reported as lean mass, fat mass, and body fat percentage. Results: Overall, 12% (n=108) were WP smokers, 22% (n=196) were cigarette smokers, 9% (n=77) smoked both WP and cigarettes and 57% (n=498) were never smokers. Age, sex, history of diabetes, and hypertension, in addition to nationality were considered as confounding factors. Our analysis revealed that WP smokers had a significantly higher BMI (kg/m2) and fat mass when compared with cigarette smokers (p<0.05). Moreover, compared to cigarette smoking, WP smoking had a higher significant effect on BMI (β=3.8, SE=0.38; and β=5.5, SE=0.46; respectively), and fat mass (β=5.1, SE=0.79; and β=9.0, SE=0.97; respectively). However, WP users were similar to never-smokers in terms of body fat percent. Conclusions: Our data indicate that compared to never smokers, daily WP users have higher BMI and fat mass, and are likely to be obese.This work is supported by the College of Medicine and Health Cluster of Qatar University. The funder had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.Scopu

Dynamics of Anti-S IgG Antibodies Titers after the Second Dose of COVID-19 Vaccines in the Manual and Craft Worker Population of Qatar

There is limited seroepidemiological evidence on the magnitude and long-term durability of antibody titers of mRNA and non-mRNA vaccines in the Qatari population. This study was conducted to generate evidence on long-term anti-S IgG antibody titers and their dynamics in individuals who have completed a primary COVID-19 vaccination schedule. A total of 300 male participants who received any of the following vaccines BNT162b2/Comirnaty, mRNA-1273, ChAdOx1-S/Covishield, COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen/Johnson, or BBIBP-CorV or Covaxin were enrolled in our study. All sera samples were tested by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) for the quantitative determination of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the S1 subunit of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (SARS-CoV-2 N-protein IgG) were also determined. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to compare the time from the last dose of the primary vaccination schedule to the time by which anti-S IgG antibody titers fell into the lowest quartile (range of values collected) for the mRNA and non-mRNA vaccines. Participants vaccinated with mRNA vaccines had higher median anti-S IgG antibody titers. Participants vaccinated with the mRNA-1273 vaccine had the highest median anti-S-antibody level of 13,720.9 AU/mL (IQR 6426.5 to 30,185.6 AU/mL) followed by BNT162b2 (median, 7570.9 AU/mL; IQR, 3757.9 to 16,577.4 AU/mL); while the median anti-S antibody titer for non-mRNA vaccinated participants was 3759.7 AU/mL (IQR, 2059.7–5693.5 AU/mL). The median time to reach the lowest quartile was 3.53 months (IQR, 2.2–4.5 months) and 7.63 months (IQR, 6.3–8.4 months) for the non-mRNA vaccine recipients and Pfizer vaccine recipients, respectively. However, more than 50% of the Moderna vaccine recipients did not reach the lowest quartile by the end of the follow-up period. This evidence on anti-S IgG antibody titers should be considered for informing decisions on the durability of the neutralizing activity and thus protection against infection after the full course of primary vaccination in individuals receiving different type (mRNA verus non-mRNA) vaccines and those with natural infection.The World Health Organization (WHO) - grant number [2021/1183356-0]

The Qatari Culture and Sports Ministry Role in Forming the Country’s Image During the World Cup Organization

تهدف الدراسة إلى البحث في أهمية الدور المؤسساتي في تشكيل الصورة الثقافية لدولة قطر عند تنظيم كأس العالم لكرة القدم، من خلال التركيز على الكيفية التي ينظر بها القطريون إلى دور وزارة الثقافة والرياضة في استثمار الرياضة كقوة ناعمة جديدة ضمن أشكال القوة الناعمة التي تتخذها قطر سبيلًا لتواجدها الدُولي؛ وللتأكيد على أهمية الصورة الثقافية في تحقيق مكاسب من الحدث الضخم، جاءت أسئلة الدراسة على النحو الآتي: ما رأي المثقفين القطريين بتأطير وزارة الثقافة للشخصية القطرية؟ وهل يمكن استثماره في الحدث؟ ما رأي المثقفين بفعاليات وزارة الثقافة؟ وكيف لها أن تُسهم في تشكيل الصورة الثقافية؟ وما رأي المثقفين بدور الشباب في مناشط وزارة الثقافة؟ وكيف لهم أن يكونوا جزءًا من تلك الصورة الثقافية في نهائيات كأس العالم لكرة القدم 2022؟ اعتمد البحث أدوات كيفية مثل المقابلة والحلقة البؤرية، وتركزت إجابات المشاركين حول ثلاثة محاور: إطار الشخصية القطرية، ومحور الفعاليات الثقافية، والعنصر البشري، وتوصّل البحث إلى أن هناك عدم موافقة على تأطير الشخصية القطرية من قبل الوزارة، وأن تأطيرها لا يحظى بقبول كبير عند المثقفين، في حين بيّن البحث الدور المهم للأنشطة الثقافية والفعاليات المتنوعة في جذب الزائرين والتعرف على ثقافة البلد؛ مما قد يسمح في تشكّل صورة ذهنية إيجابية ، وأكّد أيضًا على ضرورة تأهيل المواطنين ولا سّيما الشباب وتمكينهم من المشاركة والإسهام في هذا الحدث، حيث يُمثّل الشباب عنصرًا حاسمًا في تشكيل الصورة الثقافية الإيجابية المرجوّة.This article aims at investigating the importance of the institutional role in forming the cultural image for Qatar while organizing the FIFA World Cup 2022. In doing so, the article focusses on the Qatari national’s point of view towards the role played by the Ministry of Culture and Sports and how they invested in sports as a new soft power. This is another type of power Qatar pursued to enhance its international status. The research uses qualitative tools such as interviews and focuses groups and questions How the Qatari intellectuals? How can this approach best serve the event? What is the intellectual’s opinion about the events organized by the ministry of culture? How can it form a cultural image for the state and society? What is the intellectual’s point of view about the youth's role in the events organized by the culture and sports ministry? Moreover, how can they be a part of the cultural branding in the FIFA World Cup 2022 finals? We emphasize three aspects: The Qatari personalities, cultural activities, and human resources. The results reveal disapproval of the ministry involvement in influencing the Qatari personality among many intellectuals. Cultural a positive impact of the activities and events among visitors that help in an ever-active country branding. Moreover, the research underlines the need to enable the citizen’s role, especially among youth, to better organize the upcoming mega sportive event as they represent an asset in forming the aimed positive cultural image

A new One Health Framework in Qatar for future emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases preparedness and response

One Health is increasingly recognized as an optimal approach to address the global risk of health threats originating at the human, animal, and ecosystem interface, and their impact. Qatar has successfully practiced One Health approach for investigation and surveillance of zoonotic diseases such as MERS-CoV, and other health threats. However, the current gaps at institution and policy level hinder the sustainment of One Health. In this paper, we have assessed the potential for implementation of One Health Framework to reinforce and sustain One Health capacities in Qatar for 2022–2027. To implement One Health Framework in the country, Qatar Joint External Evaluation (JEE) report, lessons learnt during One Health experiences on zoonotic, vector-borne, and food borne diseases were used to present an outline for multisectoral coordination. In addition, technical capacities of One Health and factors that are required to operationalize it in the country were also assessed in series of meetings and workshops held at Ministry of Public Health on March 2022. Present health care infrastructure and resources were found to be conducive for effective management and response to shared health threats as evident during MERS-CoV, despite being more event based. Regardless, the need for more sustainable capacity development was unanimously emphasized. The consensus between all relevant stakeholders and partners was that there is a need for better communication channels, policies and protocols for data sharing, and the need to invest more resources for better sustainability. The proposed framework is expected to strengthen and facilitate multilateral coordination, enhanced laboratory capacity and network, improve active surveillance and response, risk communication, community engagement, maximize applied research, and build One Health technical work force. This would enable advancement and sustainment of One Health activities to prevent and control health threats shared between humans-animals-ecosystem interface