Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Epidemiology
8
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Cancer awareness and stigma in West Asian and North African Countries: A comparative cross-sectional survey Eman Ragab Elsayed Mohammed, Nasiru Mohammed Abdullahi, Marwa Ibrahim Mahfouz Khalil, Zainalabideen Yasser Jumaa, Sameer A. Alkubati, Nada Abdullah Hweissa, Fuad Taleb, Merghani Abdallah Hussain Abdallah, Olaa Abdalslam Ibraheem, Fatima Adnan Hallaj, Malak Khalel, Asmaa Taha Ali Altaheri, Ahmed Dahshan European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 2026
Influence of online health information and artificial intelligence on decision-making among migraine patients: A multinational cross-sectional study from the MENA region Ahmed Dahshan, Marwa Ibrahim Mahfouz Khalil, Dalia Abdelfatah, Moath Abu Ejheisheh, Mohammed Salfeeq H. Alshammari, Ahmed Khalaf Mekdad, Ali Malik Tiryag, Ghada Mohamed Attia Sherif, Fatima Hallaj, Asmaa Hammooz, Merghani A. Hussain Abdallah, Samia Ibrahim Mabrouk Baraka, Nagwa Ibrahim Mabrouk Baraka, Ahmed Nouralhadi Ali Ibrahim, Ali Mohammed Noor, Adam Mahmoud Salameh Khraisat, Ahmed Awad Osman Mohammed, Lina Ahmed Elmobarak Eltayeb, Majdi Alhadidi, Nada Ab. Hweissa, Hassan Abdullah Ahmed Al Buraiki, Olaa Abdalslam Ibraheem, Basma Salameh, Samaa Ahmad Akram Al Tabbah, Nabih Mohammad Lawand, Khulud Ahmad Rezq, Nadia Mohamed Ibrahim Wahba, Karrar Najah Abd Al Jaleel, Nawal Ali Albagoush, Wael Alwahchi, Khulud Mohammad Hashem Mansor, Ahmad Bahjat Ahmad Al-Rawashdeh, Taliaa Mohsen Al-Yafeai, Haia Mahdi Hindi Albalawi, Alaeldeen Hakim Mohamed Hakim, Enas Fouad Sayed Mousa, Hosny Maher Sultan Sultan, Nawara Khirallah Abd El Fatah, Mohammad A. Farrag Cephalalgia, 2026 Aim This study aimed to assess the impact of online health information and AI-based tools on treatment decisions, trust, and care-seeking behaviors among migraine patients in Arab speaking countries from MENA region. Methods A multinational, cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 4276 adults with migraine across 13 MENA countries. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, migraine history, digital health literacy (eHEALS), AI tool usage, and trust in health information sources. Results The mean eHealth literacy score was 29.9 ± 6.2. Overall, 75.6% demonstrated adequate digital health literacy. Neurologists and physicians were the most trusted sources, whereas social media influencers were the least trusted. Approximately one-third of participants reported modifying migraine treatment or delaying medical consultation based on online information. In multivariable analyses, higher trust in online information was strongly associated with delayed medical consultation (aOR 6.48, 95% CI 5.53–7.58, p < 0.001). In contrast, use of AI tools was associated with lower odds of reporting treatment modification based on online advice (aOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.17–0.49, p < 0.001). Higher trust in online information was consistently associated with both delayed care and treatment changes. Younger age, male sex, and active online information-seeking independently predicted AI use. Conclusion Digital health engagement, including trust in online sources and AI tool use, was significantly associated with migraine-related decision behaviors in this multinational MENA cohort. While AI use was linked to more cautious treatment behaviors, higher trust in online information was associated with delayed medical consultation and treatment modification. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening digital health literacy and promoting reliable online resources.
Digital screen exposure, lifestyle behaviors, and headache complaints among healthcare students: A multinational study from the MENA region Ahmed Dahshan, Marwa Ibrahim Mahfouz Khalil, Mohamed Mahmoud Elsaieed, Sameer A Alkubati, Saleh Zaghir Mohammed Alhetar, Nada Ab. Hweissa, Malak Khalel, Zainalabideen Yasser Jumaa, Nadia Mohamed Ibrahim Wahba, Dalia Abdelfatah, Fatima Hallaj, Ebtehal S Doma, Basma Salameh, Fuad Taleb, Ahmed Awad Osman Mohammed, Alaeldeen Hakim Mohamed Hakim, Merghani Abdallah Hussain Abdallah, Alaa Ahmed Shalan, Taliaa M Al-Yafeai, Olaa Abdalslam Ibraheem, Diana Khedr Cephalalgia Reports, 2026 Aim To examine the association between digital screen exposure patterns, lifestyle behaviors, and headache complaints among healthcare students across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Methods This multinational cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2024 and April 2025 among 2904 healthcare students from 11 MENA countries. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, digital screen use patterns, environmental factors, lifestyle behaviors, and self-reported headache occurring during or shortly after screen exposure. Univariable analyses were performed to explore associations, followed by multivariable logistic regression to identify independent factors associated with headache occurrence. Results Headache during or immediately following digital screen exposure was reported by 78.6% of participants. Prolonged daily screen use (particularly ≥7 h/day) and continuous screen use without breaks for more than two hours were significantly associated with headache complaints (p < 0.001). Frequent caffeine consumption during screen use, inadequate hydration, variable sleep duration, and higher perceived stress levels were also significantly associated with headache occurrence. Female sex and a family history of migraine were additionally associated with increased likelihood of reporting headache with screen use. In multivariable analysis, prolonged screen duration and absence of regular breaks remained independently associated with headache after adjustment for relevant demographic and lifestyle factors. Conclusion Headache complaints related to digital screen exposure were highly prevalent among healthcare students across the MENA region. Prolonged and uninterrupted screen use, along with modifiable lifestyle behaviors, were significantly associated with headache occurrence. Although causality cannot be established, these findings underscore the importance of preventive awareness, ergonomic education, and behavioral interventions within academic institutions. Longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify temporal relationships and evaluate targeted prevention strategies.
Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Dementia Among Healthcare Professionals in the MENA Region: A Multinational Survey Ahmed Dahshan, Rehab Magdy Hassan, Ebtehal S. Doma, Dalia Abdelfatah, Marwa Ibrahim Mahfouz Khalil, Nasiru Mohammed Abdullahi, Taliaa Mohsen Al-Yafeai, Tarek M. Selim, Basma Salameh, Ismael Ahmad khalil AL- Nawaja’a, Nadia Mohamed Ibrahim Wahba, Asmaa Hammooz, Hosny Maher Sultan, Wissam Mohammed Kareem, Walaa Mansour Ahmed, Alaa Hamza Hermis, Mohammed Musaed Al-Jabri, Adam Mahmoud Salameh Khraisat, Nada Ab. Hweissa, Abdulrahman AlGhaithi, Eman Tarhuni, Ammar Abdulhamza, Fatima Hallaj, Nawara Khirallah Abd El Fatah Abd El Ghany, Enas Fouad Sayed Mousa, Ola Ezzat Eltohamy Mohamed, Walaa Mowafy Abd El-Halim El-Lawaty, Diana Khedr Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 2025 Background Dementia is an escalating public health challenge in the MENA region, where primary healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) knowledge and preparedness remain underexplored. Understanding their knowledge and attitudes is vital for early diagnosis, quality care, and effective awareness strategies. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1224 HCPs across several Arab countries, primarily in primary care settings. Data were collected via an online survey using two validated instruments: the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) and the Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS). Results Most participants demonstrated moderate knowledge (68.5%), while 19.9% demonstrated poor knowledge and 11.5% demonstrated good knowledge. Attitudes were largely neutral to positive (44.1%). Multivariate analysis revealed that higher age predicted better knowledge (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06, P < .001), while positive attitudes were significantly associated with older age (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04, P = .002), female gender (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.14-1.84, P = .003), and higher knowledge scores (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.17-1.28, P < .001). Conclusion moderate knowledge and generally positive attitudes, important gaps persist. Tailored education, particularly for younger and male HCPs, is needed to improve dementia literacy and care.
Attitudes of different religions towards breast milk bank: Analysis of 17 countries with data mining Metin Yıldız, Roseline Florence Gomes, Ezomo Ojeiru Felix, Olugbenga Ademiju, Muhammad Tayyeb, Tajudeen Oluwafemi Noibi, Abraham Tanimowo, Ram Bahadur Khadka, Andrianirina Rhino, Rabia Yildiz, Siti Khuzaiyah, Mehmet Salih Yildirim, Ebru Solmaz, Çiğdem Müge Haylı, Aylin ŞENGAN, Berkay AKTURK, Monir Hossen, Nada Hweissa, Kumaran Gengatharan, Vicky Kumar, Kiarash Ramazanzadegan, Zulfiyya Nuraliyeva, Sara Muçaj Women S Studies International Forum, 2023
A comprehensive health effects assessment of the use of sanitizers and disinfectants during COVID-19 pandemic: a global survey Fallah Hashemi, Lori Hoepner, Farahnaz Soleimani Hamidinejad, Daniela Haluza, Sima Afrashteh, Alireza Abbasi, Elma Omeragić, Belma Imamović, Narin A. Rasheed, Taqi M. J. Taher, Fitri Kurniasari, Dhuha Youssef Wazqar, Özge Ceren Apalı, Ayca Demir Yildirim, Bo Zhao, Zaruhi Kalikyan, Cui Guo, Andrea Chong Valbuena, Magdalena Mititelu, Carolina Martínez Pando, Maria Saridi, Aikaterini Toska, Magalys Lopez Cuba, Precious Kwablah Kwadzokpui, Niguse Tadele, Tohfa Nasibova, Stefanie Harsch, Luvsan Munkh-Erdene, Wafaa Menawi, Efi Evangelou, Antoniya Dimova, Dimitar Marinov, Teodora Dimitrova, Anna Shalimova, Howieda Fouly, Anna Suraya, Juliana Pereira da Silva Faquim, Bouadil Oumayma, Maria Antonieta Annunziato, Rezarta Lalo, Evridiki Papastavrou, Anju D. Ade, Susanna Caminada, Svetlana Stojkov, Carmen Gloria Narvaez, Lutendo Sylvia Mudau, Ines Rassas, Daphnee Michel, Nur Sema Kaynar, Sehar Iqbal, Halla Elshwekh, Irin Hossain, Sadeq AL-Fayyadh, Aniuta Sydorchuk, Dua’a M. H. Alnusairat, Asli Mohamed Abdullahi, Neelam Iqbal, Apsara Pandey, Brenda Gómez-Gómez, Aysenur Gunaydin Akyildiz, Elena Morosan, Daniella Dwarica, Gantuya Dorj, Sumaya Yusuf Hasan, Noha M. Al-Shdayfat, Bojana Knezevic, Wendy Valladares, Cecilia Severi, Sofia Cuba Fuentes, Sofia Augusto, Elizaveta Sidorova, Anita Dewi Moelyaningrum, Tafaul Alawad, Atiqa Khalid, Nafisa M. K. Elehamer, Anna Mihaylova, Oxana Tsigengagel, Aziza Menouni, Agnieszka Wojtecka, Rozita Hod, Yusuf Banke Idayat, Khadija Othman, Rim M. Harfouch, Tsonco Paunov, Meruyert Omar, Nana Christine Benderli, Globila Nurika, Sana Amjad, Salma Elnoamany, Fatma Elesrigy, Marwa Mamdouh Shaban, Doménica Acevedo-López, Maria Kartashova, Atika Khalaf, Sabah Abdullah Jaafar, Taisir A. Kadhim, Nada Ab Hweissa, Yulong Teng, Fatima E. Mohammed, Thayahlini Sasikumar, Christabel Nangandu Hikaambo, Aditi Kharat, Ulyana Lyamtseva, Maya Arfan Aldeeb, Natalia Pawlas, Lkhagvasuren Khorolsuren, Roopeshwaree Pallavi Koonjul, Halima Boubacar Maïnassara, Priyanka Chahal, Rose W. Wangeci, Ainur B. Kumar, Irina Zamora-Corrales, Stella Gracy, Maimouna Mahamat, Jakub Adamczyk, Haliza Abdul Rahman, Lolita Matiashova, Omneya Ezzat Elsherif, Nazdar E. Alkhateeb, Yamilé Aleaga, Shima Bahrami, Shaimaa Rahem Al-salihy, Paula Cabrera-Galeana, Mladena Lalic-Popovic, Eugenie Brown-Myrie, Divya Bhandari, Cinderella Akbar Mayaboti, Svetlana Stanišić, Sanda Kreitmayer Pestic, Muhammed Yunus Bektay, Haleama Al Sabbah, Saber Hashemi, Bouchetara Assia, Anne-Sophie Merritt, Zhian Ramzi, Himawatee Baboolal, Juman Isstaif, Rula Shami, Rahma Saad, Temwanani Nyirongo, Mohammad Hoseini Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2023
Awareness of cervical cancer and socio-demographic variations among women in Libya: An exploratory study in Az-Zawiya city Nada Ab. Hweissa, Tin Tin Su European Journal of Cancer Care, 2018 Cervical cancer is still a public health problem worldwide, and almost 80% of cervical cancer cases occur in developing countries. In Libya, cervical cancer ranks as the third most frequent cancer among women. This paper presents the results of a study conducted to assess women's awareness of the symptoms and risk factors of cervical cancer and to identify socio-demographic variations in their level of awareness. A population-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in the city of Az-Zawiya, Libya from 1 January 2014 to 31 August 2014. A total of 412 adult women of the reproductive age (18-50 years) were selected randomly from the population registry. A face-to-face interview was conducted, using a validated Arabic version of the Cervical Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM) questionnaire. More than 63% of respondents were unable to recall any warning signs and 66.7% were unable to recall any risk factors. Respondents scored considerably higher on recognition rather than on recall for both the warning signs and the risk factors of cervical cancer. Recall and recognition of cervical cancer symptoms and risk factors were higher in women who had a higher level of education and who earned a higher income. However, overall awareness of cervical cancer symptoms and risk factors among women in the city Az-Zawiya in Libya was low. The findings underline the need to improve public awareness of cervical cancer and its prevention by using several health promotion strategies.
Health-care providers' perceptions, attitudes towards and recommendation practice of cervical cancer screening N.Ab. Hweissa, J.N.W. Lim, T.T. Su European Journal of Cancer Care, 2016 In Libya, cervical cancer is ranked third as the most frequent cancer among women with early diagnosis being shown to reduce morbidity and mortality. Health‐care providers can influence women's screening behaviours, and their lack of recommendations for screening can be one of the barriers that affect women's participation in screening programmes. This study aims to assess the health‐care provider's perception around cervical cancer screening. In‐depth, face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 16 health‐care providers, from both public and private sectors in Az‐Zawiya city, Libya, between February and July of 2014. The interviews were recorded and transcribed, then analysed using thematic analysis. Our findings suggest that health‐care providers did not provide sufficient information regarding cervical cancer screening for women who attend health‐care facilities. The results highlight the role played by health‐care professionals in motivating women to attend cervical cancer screening programs, and the need for health education of health‐care providers to offer a precious advice regarding the screening. On the other hand, health‐care providers highlighted that implementation of reminding system of cervical cancer screening will support them to improve screening attendance. In addition, health‐care providers stressed the necessity for educational and awareness campaigns of cervical cancer screening among Libyan women.
