Muslim Abbas Syed

Background: Social media use has become highly prevalent among adolescents and has been linked to both positive and negative health outcomes. However, evidence regarding its relationship with mental health and obesity remains inconsistent, and limited data are available from primary care settings in Qatar. This study aimed to describe patterns of social media use and adolescents’ perceptions regarding its effects and to examine associations between active social media engagement, mental health outcomes, and BMI-for-age among adolescents attending Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) health centers in Qatar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 5th May 2024 to 30th June 2024 among adolescents aged 11–17 years attending six PHCC health centers across Qatar. Participants were recruited using systematic random sampling. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, social media use, frequency of active social media engagement, and participants’ perceptions regarding the effects of social media. Mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and anger, were assessed using PROMIS Emotional Distress scales, while anthropometric measurements were used to calculate BMI-for-age z-scores. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multivariable logistic regression models were performed. Results: A total of 429 adolescents participated in the study. Overall, 25.3% of participants were classified as overweight and 21.7% as obese. Moderate-to-severe anxiety, depression, and anger were reported by 16.2%, 11.4%, and 10.3% of participants, respectively. TikTok (56.9%), Snapchat (48.7%), and Instagram (47.3%) were the most frequently used social media platforms. While 58.2% of participants perceived social media as having positive effects on communication and relationships, many also perceived it to contribute to obesity (47.6%), mental health disorders (41.7%), and excessive screen time (58.3%). However, these findings represented participants’ perceptions rather than objectively measured effects. Statistical analyses demonstrated limited evidence of associations between the measured frequency of active social media engagement and BMI-for-age, depression, anxiety, or anger. In multivariable analyses, higher household income was associated with increased odds of moderate-to-severe anxiety; however, the overall regression model was not statistically significant, and the finding should therefore be interpreted cautiously. Conclusions: Adolescents attending primary care services in Qatar reported substantial social media use, notable levels of emotional distress, and a high prevalence of overweight and obesity. Although many participants perceived social media as having adverse effects on health and well-being, statistical analyses provided limited evidence of associations between the measured frequency of active social media engagement and mental health outcomes or BMI-for-age. These findings highlight the importance of distinguishing perceived effects from observed associations and highlight the need for longitudinal studies using more comprehensive measures of social media use to better understand potential relationships with adolescent health outcomes.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into healthcare systems, with growing applications in clinical decision support, workflow optimization, and population health management. While substantial investments have been made in digital infrastructure, the successful adoption of AI in primary care depends critically on the readiness, awareness, and educational preparedness of healthcare professionals. Global health authorities emphasize the need for ethically grounded and workforce‑focused approaches to AI integration; however, evidence on clinicians’ readiness for AI, particularly in primary care settings and in the Middle East region, remains limited. Objectives: This study aims to assess the level of awareness, perceptions, attitudes, and educational needs related to AI among healthcare professionals working within Qatar’s Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC). In addition, it seeks to examine organizational factors influencing the integration of AI‑focused education in primary care and to develop an AI readiness framework that can inform targeted training strategies and policy planning. Methods: This study will adopt a mixed‑methods design guided by the Organizational Readiness for Change (ORC) framework, adapted for AI integration in primary care. The quantitative component will consist of an anonymous, census‑style online survey distributed to all healthcare professionals across PHCC health centers and headquarters, assessing AI awareness, attitudes, training needs, and perceived infrastructure readiness. Composite AI awareness and attitude scores will be calculated, and regression analyses will be used to explore factors associated with AI readiness. The qualitative component will include semi‑structured interviews and focus group discussions using maximum variation sampling to capture diverse professional perspectives. Qualitative data will be analyzed thematically, following COREQ and SRQR reporting standards. Quantitative and qualitative findings will be integrated to generate an AI readiness profile and an actionable education roadmap aligned with national digital health priorities. Discussion: This study will provide the first comprehensive assessment of AI readiness among primary care healthcare professionals in Qatar. By identifying knowledge gaps, training priorities, and organizational enablers and barriers, the findings are expected to inform the development of evidence‑based AI education strategies within continuing professional development frameworks. The proposed AI readiness framework may also offer a transferable model for other health systems seeking to align workforce development with responsible AI implementation in primary care.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with a growing burden in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Despite high pre

Background: Prediabetes is a critical intermediate stage in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and is increasingly prevalent in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. In Qatar, high levels of metabolic and lifestyle-related risk factors underscore the need for scalable, non-invasive risk stratification tools within primary care. The Prediabetes Risk Score in Qatar (PRISQ) was developed as a population-specific screening tool; however, its distribution and associated risk patterns within national primary care settings remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to assess the population-level distribution of PRISQ scores among adults attending primary care in Qatar and to identify key sociodemographic and clinical correlates of elevated prediabetes risk. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among adults (≥18 years) registered with the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), using data derived from the HEALTHSIGHT study. PRISQ scores were calculated based on five non-invasive clinical parameters: age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Participants were categorized into low, moderate, and high-risk groups using established PRISQ cut-offs. Descriptive analyses summarized risk distributions, and multivariable linear regression was used to identify independent predictors of PRISQ scores. Results: Among 1,116 participants included in the final analysis, the mean PRISQ score was 26.5 ± 11.0. Nearly half of the study population (47.7%) was classified as high risk for prediabetes, while 34.4% and 17.9% were categorized as moderate and low risk, respectively. Increasing age was the strongest contributor to higher PRISQ scores, followed by body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure (all p < 0.001). High-risk individuals were more frequently male, older, overweight or obese, and long-term residents of Qatar, with variation across nationality groups. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of adults attending primary care in Qatar are at high predicted risk for prediabetes. These findings support the utility of PRISQ as a risk stratification and engagement tool in primary care to guide early lifestyle counselling and targeted preventive interventions. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess progression to dysglycemia and to further refine risk-based screening strategies.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into healthcare systems, with growing applications in clinical decision support, workflow optimization, and population health management. While substantial investments have been made in digital infrastructure, the successful adoption of AI in primary care depends critically on the readiness, awareness, and educational preparedness of healthcare professionals. Global health authorities emphasize the need for ethically grounded and workforce-focused approaches to AI integration; however, evidence on clinicians’ readiness for AI, particularly in primary care settings and in the Middle East region, remains limited. Objectives: This study aims to assess the level of awareness, perceptions, attitudes, and educational needs related to AI among healthcare professionals working within Qatar’s Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC). In addition, it seeks to examine organizational factors influencing the integration of AI-focused education in primary care and to develop an AI readiness framework that can inform targeted training strategies and policy planning. Methods: This study will adopt a mixed-methods design guided by the Organizational Readiness for Change (ORC) framework, adapted for AI integration in primary care. The quantitative component will consist of an anonymous, census-style online survey distributed to all healthcare professionals across PHCC health centers and headquarters, assessing AI awareness, attitudes, training needs, and perceived infrastructure readiness. Composite AI awareness and attitude scores will be calculated, and regression analyses will be used to explore factors associated with AI readiness. The qualitative component will include semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions using maximum variation sampling to capture diverse professional perspectives. Qualitative data will be analyzed thematically, following COREQ and SRQR reporting standards. Quantitative and qualitative findings will be integrated to generate an AI readiness profile and an actionable education roadmap aligned with national digital health priorities. Discussion: This study will provide the first comprehensive assessment of AI readiness among primary care healthcare professionals in Qatar. By identifying knowledge gaps, training priorities, and organizational enablers and barriers, the findings are expected to inform the development of evidence-based AI education strategies within continuing professional development frameworks. The proposed AI readiness framework may also offer a transferable model for other health systems seeking to align workforce development with responsible AI implementation in primary care.

Background: Health literacy (HL) has increasingly been recognized as a key factor influencing health outcomes and performance of health systems. Evidence suggests enhancing HL can improve access to care, self-management, and overall health outcomes. Despite Qatar’s well-established primary health care system, the country faces a high prevalence of non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to develop a health literacy framework tailored for primary health care service users (PHCSUs) in Qatar. Methods: A mixed methods study design which included a quantitative and qualitative component was employed. The quantitative component consisted of administering a validated Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) to establish HL levels in PHCSUs. The qualitative component included interviews with PHCSUs and focus group discussion (FGD) with PHCC health care providers (HCPs). They were designed to identify preferred HL channels and gain an in-depth understanding of barriers and facilitators pertaining to HL strategies. The findings from the HLQ survey, HCP FGD and PHCSUs interviews along with strategies identified from literature were triangulated to develop a HL framework utilising the Socioecological Model structure as a foundation. Results: A total of 3124 HLQ survey responses were received. 26 HCPs and 16 PHCSUs participated in the FGD and interviews respectively. The study found HL in PHCSUs was influenced by expectations of HL, tailoring of messages, existing chronic conditions, language barriers, peer support, duration of clinical consultations, access to preventive services, regulation of health information sources, societal and cultural factors and community outreach. Conclusions: The study proposes a HL framework with HL determinants nested within the SEM in its entirety. It provides comprehensive view of HL and the many factors that influence it. The HL framework acknowledges the role of individuals and organizations, as well as the strong influence of overarching societal and cultural factors. This information can be utilized to devise interventions to improve HL through effective and innovative learning strategies. Implementation of these evidence-informed interventions and future research in this area can enhance patient centered care and improve the health outcomes.

Background: Evidence suggests that high level of health literacy among patients is associated with high levels of accessibility to healthcare, better understanding consent-to-treat forms, increased compliance to treatment (particularly in taking medication for longstanding chronic diseases), comprehending general healthcare and improved preventive care and early disease detection, proper use of home medical devices from patients and increased capability of accessing the various channels of health information when required. The proposed study aims to assess and capture preferences and perceptions regarding health literacy of population (registered within primary care clinics in state of Qatar) in context to their general wellbeing (physical and mental health) and management of chronic disease conditions. Methods: The study design will be mixed methods (include both quantitative and qualitative elements). The HLQ survey will be sent online (text messages) to the population registered with PHCC and to capture service users’ perceptions and preferences pertaining to health literacy channels. The qualitative method will be utilized to gain an in-depth understanding of the various health literacy channels, challenges and barriers pertaining to the implementation of the health literacy strategies from both the healthcare provider and service users’ perspective. The qualitative analysis will be interpreted utilizing the Socioecological Model (SEM). The REPORT statement will be followed during analysis and writing of the study. For the qualitative component we aim to report the results in accordance with ‘Consolidation criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) and ‘Standards for reporting qualitative research ‘(SRQR) guidelines. Results: The findings (quantitative and qualitative) will be triangulated to design an evidence-based health literacy framework which can be utilized for service design and re-design to deliver optimal patient centered primary health care services within the country & modelled in similar health care settings geographically. Discussion: Evidence generated from the study can increase health literacy levels among service users by modification of health behavior through effective health education. Moreover, increased health literacy levels and improved self-care can lead to improved compliance with treatment leading to effective management of diseases, particularly long-term chronic diseases which are associated with multi-morbidity, polypharmacy and challenges associated side effects of prescribed medications.

Background: Non-communicable diseases contribute to a significant global burden of disease and are associated with modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption. These risk factors are closely related with lifestyles and eating patterns which are often culturally embedded and managed differently in various health care settings. Aim of the study: To assesses the applicability and feasibility of the KAPS (Knowledge, attitude, and practice) survey in generating data about knowledge, attitudes, and practices about healthy lifestyles within eastern Mediterranean settings and providing foundations for testing other models or development of a newer model in this area which captures and influence behavior changes towards healthy lifestyles. Methods: The KAP survey was tailored to capture the construct of healthy lifestyles (within the context of Qatar primary care settings) by reviewing existing surveys, adaptation to local context, expert consultation and feedback, pilot testing, feedback analysis, cognitive interviews and translation and validation. Results: The study reports that most participants found the content comprehensive, relevant, easy to understand but considered it lengthy. Analysis of grading of the 73 questionnaire items (complete questionnaire included as supplementary document) included by the panel of experts (n = 13) demonstrated that more than half of questions (52.1%) have a CVR value of 1. Thematic analysis of overall perceptions of the service users (n = 11) pertaining to the feasibility of the KAP survey identified three important themes which included i) clarity & readability of the questions ii) relevance of the instrument and iii) factors influencing service users’ participation in survey. Conclusion: A culturally sensitive and region specific KAP tool specifically designed for healthy lifestyles can aid in health advocacy, monitoring modifiable risk factors, capturing rich epidemiological data to design preventive interventions, surveillance of high risks patients and strengthening the existing health information systems. Further research is needed to explore evidence-based methodologies to formulate an age-specific and shorter version of KAPs survey without compromising the validity of the tool within specific regional primary healthcare settings.