Abstract... Background: Tobacco smoking is a significant global public health issue, contributing to millions of deaths annually. University students are particularly vulnerable to smoking initiation due to sociocultural influences and the perception of smoking as a symbol of adulthood. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of smoking among male students at Misurata University and explore associated determinants such as socio-economic status, peer influence, and smoking-related attitudes.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Misurata University between November and December 2024. A total of 400 male students aged 18 years and older were recruited using systematic random sampling, with 376 completing the questionnaire (94% response rate). Data were collected via a self-administered online questionnaire, adapted from validated instruments and translated into Arabic. Smoking status was defined according to WHO criteria. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used for data analysis.
Results: The prevalence of smoking among participants was 25% (n=94). Among smokers, 52% smoked cigarettes, 16% smoked waterpipes, 24% used both cigarettes and waterpipes, and 8% used electronic cigarettes. Smoking prevalence was higher among students aged 21–23 years (30.3%) compared to older students (27.8%). Peer influence was a significant factor, with 63.8% of smokers reporting that their first cigarette was offered by a friend. While 54.3% of smokers viewed smoking as a personal freedom, 80.9% supported smoking bans in universities for public health.
Conclusion: The study highlights a high prevalence of smoking among male university students in Misurata, Libya, with peer influence and early initiation being key determinants. Despite recognizing the health risks of smoking, many students continue to smoke, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. Public health campaigns, stricter enforcement of tobacco control policies, and smoking cessation programs are essential to reduce smoking prevalence and its associated health and economic burdens.
Abstract... Background: Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of button battery ingestion in infants and young children. Prompt diagnosis and multidisciplinary team management are essential for favorable outcomes. TEF can occur within hours of ingestion, but in some cases, it can develop days or even weeks after successful battery removal. This necessitates close and prolonged clinical monitoring, as early symptoms may be subtle or non-specific. Case presentation: We report a case of a 2-year-old girl with a history of button battery ingestion who presented six weeks after removal of the battery from the upper esophagus, with a history of recurrent episodes of pneumonia, dysphagia, and failure to thrive. Imaging revealed a large tracheoesophageal fistula measuring approximately 12mm. She underwent successful primary surgical repair through a low cervical collar incision, a fistulous tract was identified between the posterior tracheal wall and anterior esophageal wall, which was carefully separated, and both defects were closed using interrupted 4-0 Vicryl sutures. Postoperatively the patient recovered fully and was discharged in good condition. At one-year follow-up, clinical evaluation demonstrated complete resolution of symptoms with no evidence of recurrence or other complications. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of long-term follow-up after button battery ingestion and underscores the significance of early surgical management in patients with large fistula.
Abstract... The issue of climate change is a very important issue because of its many effects on the environment with its natural elements such as soil, natural plants and wild animals, and its various human aspects such as agriculture, industry and energy, as well as tourism. his research specifically focuses on studying the impact of climate and its changes on tourism. This is considered a highly specialized study within the broader field of applied geography, and more specifically, applied climatology and tourism geography. This specialized study was conducted in a limited geographical region, the West Bank, employing a descriptive-analytical research methodology. The West Bank is subject to particular human (political) circumstances due to the Israeli occupation, which imposes challenges and aggressions across all aspects of life and on all human and economic activities, with the tourism sector being clearly affected by this occupation.
This study aimed to present a general and comprehensive overview of the tourism components and potentials, and the characteristics of the tourism movement in the West Bank. Subsequently, it sought to simulate the impact of climate and its changes on some key aspects of tourism. To achieve this objective, the researchwas divided into two main axes. The first axis addressed some characteristics of tourism and the tourism movement in the West Bank, while the second axis analyzed the impact of climate and its changes on certain aspects of tourism in the West Bank. Among the most significant findings of the research was that climate and climate changes have a clear impact on the tourism movement and tourist comfort in the study area, particularly the climatic changes related to temperature, which negatively affected the tourism movement and the duration of tourist stays in the West Bank. The study recommends developing climatically suitable areas within the West Bank as important tourist attractions.