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This study aims to assess the level of mental health literacy (MHL) and identify its associated factors among undergraduate university students in Lebanon. A secondary objective is to evaluate the Global Barriers to Counselling scores, their associated factors, and to examine their relationship with MHL.
Cross-sectional study using an online self-administered questionnaire.
University-level educational settings in Lebanon, including students from both public and private institutions across multiple regions.
This study enrolled undergraduate students of all academic disciplines using a convenience sampling technique. Inclusion criteria included being 18 years and above, currently enrolled at university, able to comprehend the English language and consenting to participate.
Primary outcomes: MHL scores, using the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS); and Global Barriers to Counselling score, using the Revised Fit, Stigma and Value Scale (RFSV). Secondary analysis examined factors associated with MHLS score and Global Barriers to Counselling scores using multivariable linear regression.
A total of 572 participants (65.0% female; mean age 21.1±3.7 years) were included. Most were Lebanese (87.4%). The median MHLS score was 86 (IQR 77–95), indicating generally good MHL. Factors associated with lower MHLS were male gender (β=–4.17, 95% CI –7.18 to –1.16, p=0.007) and being of non-Lebanese nationality (β=–6.26, 95% CI –11.06 to –1.46, p=0.011). Presence of a previous mental health diagnosis was associated with a higher MHLS score (β=5.32, 95% CI 1.43 to 9.22, p=0.008). The Global Barriers to Counselling score had a median of 28.7 (IQR 23.21–36.21). Male gender was significantly associated with a higher barrier score (β=3.44, 95% CI 4.85 to 5.04, p
This study highlights good overall MHL among undergraduate university students in Lebanon, with variations based on gender, nationality and prior mental health exposure. Higher mental health literacy was associated with fewer perceived barriers to seeking counselling. These findings emphasise the need for tailored mental health initiatives in Lebanese universities that promote literacy, reduce stigma and enhance help-seeking behaviour across diverse student populations.
The objective of the study was to show the clinical performance and cost-effectiveness of a Silicone foam dressing with 3DFit™ Technology compared to current standard of care. This was an open-labelled, two-arm, randomised controlled multicentre study conducted from February to December 2023. One hundred and two participants with an exuding, non-infected and chronic ulcer were randomised in a 1:1 fashion and treated with either a Silicone foam with 3DFit™ Technology or standard of care (a filler combined with a secondary dressing), stratified by venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. After a 4-week study period, wound size and total costs were evaluated. After 4 weeks of treatment, a comparable percentage in wound area reduction was observed in both treatment arms with mean and 95% confidence interval of 54.3% (37.1%; 71.5%) and 43.0% (26.5%; 59.6%) for the investigational and comparator dressing, respectively. This corresponded to a mean difference of 11.3% ([−10.22; 32.86], p = 0.299). Total mean estimated costs were significantly lower for the investigational dressing (£14.3, 95% confidence interval [£9.6; £19.0]) compared to the two-dressing regime (£21.4 [£16.9; £26.0]), corresponding to a 33% price reduction (p = 0.033) after 4 weeks of treatment. With this RCT, a conforming Silicone foam dressing with 3DFit™ Technology was shown to be clinically comparable and a cost-effective alternative to using a filler and a secondary dressing at a significantly lower cost in both venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers up to 2 cm in depth.
We investigated nurses' experiences of hospital-acquired pressure injury (PI) prevention in acute care services to better understand how PI prevention may be optimised. We used the Theoretical Domains Framework to systematically identify barriers and enablers to evidence-based preventive practices as required by the International Guideline. This study was one element of a complex capacity building project on PI surveillance and prevention within the acute health service partners of Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre, an accredited academic health partnership located in Melbourne, Australia. We adopted a qualitative descriptive design. We interviewed 32 nurses that provided care in intensive care units, general wards and COVID wards of four acute care services. Nurses were recruited from four large acute care services (three public, one private) located in Melbourne. Most of them worked with patients who were at high risk of hospital-acquired PI on a daily basis. Interview transcripts were coded and analysed using thematic analysis guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework. The domains referred to most frequently by all participants included: Knowledge, Skills, Social/Professional Role and Identity, Beliefs about Capabilities, and Environmental Context and Resources. The key barriers discussed by nurses included gaps in nurses' knowledge and skills related to identification and staging of PI, heavy nursing workload and inadequate staffing levels, stigma and self-blame related to PI identification, and exacerbating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Main facilitators discussed were training programmes, nursing audits and feedback, and teamwork. Participants suggested improvements including accessible and tailored training, visual reminders, and addressing heavy workloads and emotional barriers nurses face. Investing in tailored training initiatives to improve nurses' knowledge and organisational changes to address low level staffing and heavy workloads are urgently needed to support nurses in delivering optimal care and preventing hospital-acquired PI.
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