ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3692-9482
Current Organisations
Higher institute of computer science and Multimedia - Université de Sfax
,
MIRACL Laboratory
,
University of Tasmania
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-2021
DOI: 10.1111/AJR.12724
Abstract: Investigate the smoking‐related outcomes and feasibility of a pharmacy‐led financial incentive program for smoking cessation. Multi‐site single‐arm trial of the Tobacco Free Communities program. Community pharmacies within the Glamorgan Spring Bay (Site 1) and George Town (Site 2) municipalities of Tasmania. Adult smokers. Based on funding, the recruitment target was 76 smokers. Pharmacy staff provided quitting advice through 7 sessions over 3 months. At 6 sessions, abstinent participants (no cigarettes in the previous week and expired carbon monoxide ≤4 ppm) were rewarded with AU$50 vouchers. Smoking‐related outcomes were decreased smoking (self‐reported cigarettes per day and carbon monoxide levels) and abstinence rates. Feasibility outcomes were meeting the recruitment target, participant retention and participants' views of the program (measured by interview data from Site 2). Ninety in iduals enrolled. Sixty‐two participants were included in analyses remaining participants were excluded from analyses because they did not consent to use of their data within this study or had carbon monoxide ≤4 ppm at enrolment. Smoking (carbon monoxide and cigarettes per day) significantly decreased between enrolment and the first financial incentive session. Twelve participants (19.35%) were abstinent at the end of the program. Yet retention was poor only 13 participants (20.97%) attended all sessions. Interviews suggested participants found the program beneficial. Providing financial incentive within rural community pharmacies could be a viable method of encouraging smoking reductions and quit attempts. Additional work is needed to increase retention and compare effects to usual care pharmacy practices.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 04-10-2023
DOI: 10.1093/NTR/NTAC229
Abstract: Smokers can respond defensively to health risk communication such as on-pack warning labels, potentially reducing their effectiveness. Theory suggests that risk perception together with self-efficacy reduces defensive responses and predicts target behaviors. Currently, tobacco warning labels globally predominantly target risk and do not explicitly consider efficacy. This study explores the effectiveness of combining Australian tobacco warning labels with efficacy content to increase quitting intentions. RCT in 83 smokers over 3 weeks. After a seven-day baseline phase (smoking from usual tobacco packaging), participants were randomized to one of two adhesive labels groups for the remaining 14 days: Standard health warning labels (HWLs) featuring enhanced efficacy messages (experimental group) or unmodified standard HWLs (control group). Participants attached these labels to their tobacco packaging and recorded their cognitions and smoking behavior once daily using Smartphones. Multilevel structural equation modeling was used to test theorized effects of the labels on self-efficacy, risk perception, and intentions to quit. There was no effect of exposure to efficacy messages on either self-efficacy, risk perceptions, or intentions to quit. However, self-efficacy and risk perceptions were positively associated with quitting intentions at the within-person level. The predictive relationships between self-efficacy, risk perception, and intention to quit were supported, however, supplementing standard warning labels with efficacy messages had no effect on these cognitions. Whether this is due to conditioned avoidance of HWLS, characteristics of the messages, or limitations imposed by format are unclear. Self-efficacy and risk perception predict intentions to quit smoking. Adding efficacy content to tobacco health warnings may have the potential to bolster these cognitions but more research is required to determine the contexts in which this would be effective and who would be likely to benefit. The time course by which exposure to efficacy content might influence cessation self-efficacy and downstream quitting intentions also needs to be investigated.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-10-2018
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.12622
Abstract: Despite the adverse effects of khat use and chewers interest in cessation, there are few studies that have reported on the outcome of khat cessation attempts, and limited resources available for potential quitters. We used electronic diaries to monitor the outcomes of an unassisted quit attempt among daily and near daily khat consumers, and examine predictors of success. Sixty participants between the ages of 18 and 35 years who regularly chewed khat and who were attempting to quit were purposively recruited from an Ethiopian University c us. Real-time prospective daily recording of khat use was obtained for an average of 10 days prior to quit day (range 6-13) and 28 post-quit days (range 9-31), using an electronic diary. Almost all (95%) achieved initial abstinence. Of these, 80% reached at least seven continuous days of abstinence 7% maintained continuous abstinence for 28 days post-quit. While 93% lapsed (average 11 days post-quit, SD = 7), only a smaller proportion relapsed (41%: chewed for at least three consecutive days after at least 5 days of abstinence). No demographic factors were predictive of successful abstinence. Regular khat chewers have difficulties in maintaining abstinence despite having motivation and desire to quit. This implies that treatment aids may be needed to assist chewers' in their quit attempts. Controlled experimental trial through the use of available low cost quit aids and behavioural resources is crucial in order to increase success rates for those seeking to desist from khat use.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2018
DOI: 10.1002/HUP.2653
Abstract: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) as a screening tool for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition-defined khat use disorder. Cross-sectional, purposive s le of past-year khat consumers aged 16 and above were recruited from khat markets and cafes from university and general community in Adama, Ethiopia. Participants self-completed a survey comprising current substance use disorder. The SDS formed a unifactorial structure, consistent with the dependence construct. Almost three quarters (73%) of the s le were identified as experiencing Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition khat use disorder. The SDS demonstrated excellent discrimination (area under the curve = 0.92) and an optimal cut-off as a score of 3 or greater, with sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 96%. This classification validly identified a group with more frequent and higher dose khat use than participants that did not screen positive. Although khat is a mild stimulant, there is clear evidence that some consumers are both concerned with their use and experience problems associated with their use. Consistent with its application for other drugs, the SDS is a brief and simple screening tool that appears to validly identify in iduals experiencing a khat use disorder syndrome and experiencing high rates of adverse consequences in association with use.
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 06-07-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-11-2021
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.13215
Abstract: Comprehensively investigating alcohol‐related behaviours in the context of a dynamic multi‐day alcohol‐licensed event is important for understanding and minimising patron risk. We aimed to assess the measurement utility of implementing a multi‐dimensional alcohol assessment battery using biometric data collection, real‐time drink logs and retrospective self‐report measures over the course of a 4‐day music festival. Fourteen adults participated ( n = 7 male, mean age 21.9 years). Breath and transdermal alcohol concentration (BrAC and TAC, respectively) were measured using breathalysers and transdermal alcohol bracelets. A real‐time drink log was completed via smartphones on initiating each drink, and a retrospective questionnaire was administered up to twice daily throughout the event (6 timepoints total). While almost all participants (92.9%) logged significantly fewer drinks in real‐time than they retrospectively reported via the twice‐daily questionnaires, logs provided important contextual information including the types of drinks consumed and drinking intensity. Compared to BrAC, TAC provided a better understanding of the time course of intoxication, indicating highest alcohol consumption outside of static BrAC assessment windows. However, BrAC provided a better assessment of present state: all participants were 0.00% BrAC at departure despite over two‐fifths (42.9%) of the s le's last TAC reading exceeding 0.00%. As standalone assessments, each method possessed limitations. As a combined battery, they were successfully administered simultaneously, resulting in a more comprehensive overview of alcohol consumption/intoxication over the prolonged drinking session. However, the marked burden of simultaneous administration should be considered, and measures should be chosen judiciously based on research needs.
Publisher: Pensoft Publishers
Date: 13-06-2019
DOI: 10.3897/BISS.3.37091
Abstract: Herbarium specimens are of vital importance for understanding bio ersity. There are more than 350 million specimens stored in herbaria worldwide (Thiers 2018) Globally, many herbaria have undertaken digitization projects of plant specimens, on a massive scale, to preserve them and to make the images easily accessible to users. Over the past years, with significant advances in the field of computer vision, new potential uses of digitized specimens have emerged, such as automated species identification using qualitative morphological traits. However, due to lack of efficient tools, efforts to extract functional (quantitative) morphological traits from digitized herbarium specimens are lagging behind. Functional trait data is of significant importance to understand the functioning of the ecosystem and interactions between biotic and abiotic factors. It is currently fragmented and initiatives such as TRY Trait database (www.try-db.org) are making efforts to fill the gaps in the observed trait matrix (Schrodt et al. 2015). In order to complement the global efforts, we have developed a software tool, TraitEx , which can measure quantitative traits such as the length, area, width and perimeter of leaves along with the petiole length from digitized herbarium specimens. TraitEx is a standalone Java-based open source tool developed after extensive interactions with bio ersity researchers. The main features of the tool are: (1) efficiently handling high-resolution specimen images, (2) accurately extracting measurements from specimens with varied leaf shapes that are mounted using white tape, (3) integrating ImageJ functionality (imagej.net/Welcome) to pre-process and edit the images, (4) measuring trait values to export in comma separated values (CSV) format along with original image and (5) reducing potential damage of fragile specimens, which might occur while physically measuring the traits. Along with user guide and documentation, TraitEx tool is available at raitExTool/traitextool. The tool is made available under the BSD-2-Clause License.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-12-2020
DOI: 10.1111/BJHP.12402
Abstract: Objectives Health behaviour theories outline how cognitions predict behaviours, but rarely specify the temporal relation between cognitions and behaviours. It is not known whether these predictive relationships vary depending on temporal resolution or whether the relative influence of cognitions varies with measurement schedules. The current exploratory study therefore investigates whether the associations between behavioural cognitions (self-efficacy, intention, and risk perception) and smoking vary when measured momentarily, at day level, or using the more common baseline-follow-up design. Design EMA study involving 36 continuing smokers over 17 days. Participants logged cigarettes and reported their cognitions at baseline, daily (evening), and in response to momentary surveys. Methods Random-effects models were used to compare the effects of cognitions measured at different time points on (1) the number of cigarettes smoked daily and (2) the time interval until the next cigarette smoked. Results Self-efficacy and risk perception measured at baseline significantly predicted cigarettes smoked each day, but this effect became non-significant when daily measurements of cognitions were included in the model. Momentary smoking behaviour was predicted by momentary measurements of risk perception, with no significant effects of social cognitions at baseline. Conclusions Relationships between cognitions and behaviours vary according to the temporal resolution of the measurement schedule. Ensuring that the temporal resolution of assessment is appropriate for the temporal dynamics of the behaviour being assessed is important. Future research is needed to investigate the potential for leveraging specific cognitive processes depending on temporal importance in order to increase health-promoting behaviours. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Social cognitions including intentions, risk perception, and self-efficacy have been observed to predict smoking. Little is known about the role of time in the cognition-behaviour relationship. Cognitions have been observed to fluctuate, but instability is typically not considered in research design. What does this study add? Daily measurement of social cognitions predicts behaviour better than measurements taken at baseline. Momentary smoking behaviour is predicted by momentary cognitions at the intra-in idual level. Temporal resolution of measurement should be considered when investigating cognition-behaviour relationships.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-06-2016
DOI: 10.1111/ADD.13421
Abstract: This study aimed to validate the presence of a khat use disorder syndrome using DSM-5 criteria and to examine its relationship with increased experience of harms. Cross-sectional, purposive s le of current khat-chewers, recruited from khat markets and cafes. Participants were recruited from the general community and from Adama Science and Technology University in Ethiopia. A total of 400 current khat consumers aged 16 and above were recruited between September 2014 and January 2015 MEASURES: Survey comprising current clinical symptoms (using a modified Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-IV), and validated measures of health, psychological distress, quality of life and academic functioning. A third [35.5% 95% confidence interval (CI) = 31.0-40.3] of respondents reported daily khat use and a quarter (25.4% 95% CI = 21.4-30.0) using three times or more per week. Using DSM-5 criteria, 10.5% (95% CI = 7.9-13.9) were categorized as experiencing mild, 8.8% (95% CI = 6.4-12.0) moderate and 54.5% (95% CI = 49.6-59.3) severe khat use disorder. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a good fit of symptoms to a single underlying construct, consistent with other substance use disorders. In iduals categorized as experiencing khat use disorder demonstrated significantly greater frequency [odds ratio (OR) = 45.29 95% CI = 10.97-19.01) and quantity of khat use (OR = 2.35 95% CI = 1.29-4.29). They also demonstrated increased financial problems associated with use, greater problems with academic functioning and higher rates of self-reported mental health problems, higher psychological distress and poorer quality of life. Treatment access was poor, with only one-third (32.9%) of in iduals with khat use disorder reporting life-time access, near-exclusively related to help-seeking from friends and relatives. The construct of a substance use disorder syndrome for khat using DSM-5 criteria appears valid and performs in a manner consistent with other substances of dependence. In iduals with khat use disorder experience substantial problems in association with khat use. Despite this, there are low levels of help-seeking for these problems.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-02-2019
DOI: 10.1111/ADD.14541
Abstract: Smoking cessation medications are effective, but often underutilized because of costs and side effects. Cytisine is a plant-based smoking cessation medication with more than 50 years of use in central and eastern Europe. While cytisine has been found to be well-tolerated and more effective than nicotine replacement therapy, direct comparisons with varenicline have not been conducted. This study evaluates the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of cytisine compared with varenicline. Two-arm, parallel group, randomized, non-inferiority trial, with allocation concealment and blinded outcome assessment. Australian population-based study. Adult daily smokers (n = 1266) interested in quitting will be recruited through advertisements and Quitline telephone-based cessation support services. Eligible participants will be randomized (1 : 1 ratio) to receive either cytisine capsules (25-day supply) or varenicline tablets (12-week supply), prescribed in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended dosing regimen. The medication will be mailed to each participant's nominated residential address. All participants will also be offered standard Quitline behavioural support (up to six 10-12-minute sessions). Assessments will be undertaken by telephone at baseline, 4 and 7 months post-randomization. Participants will also be contacted twice (2 and 4 weeks post-randomization) to ascertain adverse events, treatment adherence and smoking status. The primary outcome will be self-reported 6-month continuous abstinence from smoking, verified by carbon monoxide at 7-month follow-up. We will also evaluate the relative safety and cost-effectiveness of cytisine compared with varenicline. Secondary outcomes will include self-reported continuous and 7-day point prevalence abstinence and cigarette consumption at each follow-up interview. If cytisine is as effective as varenicline, its lower cost and natural plant-based composition may make it an acceptable and affordable smoking cessation medication that could save millions of lives world-wide.
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 04-2017
DOI: 10.1037/HEA0000439
Abstract: In idual eating behavior is a risk factor for obesity and highly dependent on internal and external cues. Many studies also suggest that the food environment (i.e., food outlets) influences eating behavior. This study therefore examines the momentary food environment (at the time of eating) and the role of cues simultaneously in predicting everyday eating behavior in adults with overweight and obesity. Intensive longitudinal study using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) over 14 days in 51 adults with overweight and obesity (average body mass index = 30.77 SD = 4.85) with a total of 745 participant days of data. Multiple daily assessments of eating (meals, high- or low-energy snacks) and randomly timed assessments. Cues and the momentary food environment were assessed during both assessment types. Random effects multinomial logistic regression shows that both internal (affect) and external (food availability, social situation, observing others eat) cues were associated with increased likelihood of eating. The momentary food environment predicted meals and snacking on top of cues, with a higher likelihood of high-energy snacks when fast food restaurants were close by (odds ratio [OR] = 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22, 2.93) and a higher likelihood of low-energy snacks in proximity to supermarkets (OR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.38, 3.82). Real-time eating behavior, both in terms of main meals and snacks, is associated with internal and external cues in adults with overweight and obesity. In addition, perceptions of the momentary food environment influence eating choices, emphasizing the importance of an integrated perspective on eating behavior and obesity prevention. (PsycINFO Database Record
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 02-2018
DOI: 10.1037/HEA0000568
Abstract: Social factors are among the most powerful and pervasive influences on eating behavior, snacking in particular. Previous research has shown that being in the presence of people who are eating significantly increases the likelihood of eating and affects the types as well as the amount of food consumed. Much less is known about the processes underlying social influence, but previous research has suggested social norms as mediators. In this study, we extended this perspective to everyday settings and examined whether the presence of other people eating leads to a change in perceived momentary norms, and whether this change predicts snack consumption in real life. We applied ecological momentary assessment to study 61 in iduals in the normal-obese weight range (M BMI = 24.97 kg/m² SD = 4.07) over a 14-day monitoring period. We used a combination of event-based snacking reports and randomly timed assessments. The presence of others eating and momentary perceptions of injunctive norms (facets of perceived appropriateness and encouragement) were measured for both assessment types. Mediated, multilevel logistic regression showed that social cues predict snacking (OR = 3.06), and that momentary perceptions of appropriateness (a*b = 0.14) and encouragement (a*b = 0.18) partially mediated these effects. Perceptions of momentary norms mediated the effects of social influence on everyday snacking, which highlights the importance of the social environment for understanding eating behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 15-02-2022
DOI: 10.1093/NTR/NTAC042
Abstract: Financial incentive programs promote smoking cessation. However, the incentive amount which should be provided—and how this may interact with other program characteristics—is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the design of incentive programs for smoking cessation on current smokers’ perceptions of programs and willingness to enroll. An online discrete choice experiment was conducted amongst adult current smokers residing in the United Kingdom (N = 430). Hypothetical incentive programs were described using five attributes (incentive amount, incentive type, frequency of sessions, reward schedules, program location). Participants responded to a series of choice sets comprised of two hypothetical programs. For each set, participants selected their preferred program. They then specified whether they would enroll in their preferred program if it were available. Analyses also considered the effect of participant income on preferences. Overall, participants preferred higher amounts over lower amounts, cash over vouchers, healthcare settings over workplaces, and consistent amounts over an escalating schedule. One session per week was the most preferred session frequency. Willingness to enroll increased quadratically with the incentive amount, although this increase slowed for higher amounts. Although middle- and high-income smokers preferred slightly higher amounts (cf. low-income participants), enrollment choices did not differ by income. The characteristics of incentive programs influence smokers’ perceptions of programs and willingness to enroll. Higher amounts may encourage greater enrollment rates, but there will likely be a ceiling point beyond which increasing the incentive amount does not meaningfully increase enrollments. There is increasing evidence incentive programs aid smoking cessation. Yet, the variety in previous program designs means how to best structure programs, including optimal incentive amount and the impact of the design on potential enrollment rates, remains unclear. This study suggests enrollments may be highest when incentive amounts are higher, rewards of a consistent amount in cash are provided, and sessions occur once per week in a healthcare setting. Although higher-income participants may desire higher incentive amounts compared to lower-income participants, this may not translate into differences in willingness to enroll.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-03-2017
DOI: 10.1007/S00213-017-4604-Y
Abstract: In recent years, there has been growing research interest in using nicotine replacement medications to aid smoking reduction prior to a quit attempt. Gaining a better understanding of how treatments influence smoking reduction may allow for better tailoring of treatments and, ultimately, better cessation outcomes. The objective of the current study was to test the effects of the pre-quit use of varenicline and nicotine patch on smoking rate and satisfaction with smoking. All participants were required to attend up to five study visit sections. Participants (n = 213) who were interested in quitting were randomised (open-label) to receive either pre-quit patch or varenicline (both treatments started 2 weeks prior to an assigned quit day, followed by 10 weeks post-quit) or standard patch (10 weeks starting from an assigned quit day). Participants used modified smartphones to monitor their smoking in real time for 4 weeks. Participants in the two pre-quit treatment groups reported significant reductions in both their satisfaction with smoking (p < 0.001) and smoking rate (p < 0.001) from baseline to the end of pre-quit period participants in the standard patch group did not. The observed reduction of smoking rate was associated with the satisfaction with smoking (p < 0.01), although the mediation effect of satisfaction was small. Pre-quit treatment caused reductions in satisfaction with smoking and smoking rate. Satisfaction was associated with changes in smoking rate, but the relationship was weak. As such, monitoring reductions in satisfaction do not appear to be a viable method of evaluating responsiveness to treatment.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 23-02-2021
DOI: 10.1093/NTR/NTAB031
Abstract: Studies demonstrate that financial incentive programs increase smoking cessation. However, there is little guidance on which incentive magnitudes will ensure optimal enrollment and motivation levels. This study investigates current smokers’ perceptions of varying incentive magnitudes to identify whether there is evidence for optimal amount(s) and whether perceptions differ by income group. Studies 1 (N = 56) and 2 (N = 147) were conducted online via Prolific.co. Current smokers were randomly shown multiple hypothetical incentive programs that differed only in the incentive amount offered. For each program, smokers rated its appeal and their likelihood of enrolling and predicted their motivation to quit if enrolled. Growth models were used to investigate the relationship between perspectives and the incentive amount. An increasing quadratic trend in smokers’ perceptions of programs as the incentive amount increased was identified. Incentive amounts beyond approximately £50–75 per week (£500–£750 total) did not significantly alter perceptions of programs. In Study 2, high-income smokers found programs significantly less appealing and motivating than low-income smokers, although no significant between-group differences were observed in the likelihood of enrollment. No significant differences were observed between low- and middle-income smokers. Increasing the incentive amount increased smoker’s perceptions of programs. This relationship was curvilinear, meaning there may be a point beyond which further increasing the amount will not improve enrollment or motivation levels. Incentives appear equally appealing to low- and middle-income smokers the population among whom smoking is most prevalent. Future research could explore other elements of program design and whether findings hold under real-world conditions. While acknowledging that they work, policymakers frequently request information about the monetary amount needed for incentive programs to be effective, and if this differs by income level. We investigated these questions using smokers’ perceptions of hypothetical cessation programs that differed in the amount offered. An increasing quadratic trend in perceptions of programs by the amount and potential cut points was observed, suggesting a point may exist beyond which increasing the incentive will not improve perceptions of programs or enrollment levels. High-income smokers may not perceive incentives to be as appealing as other income groups, but appear equally willing to enroll.
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2021
Location: Tunisia
No related grants have been discovered for Bassem BOUAZIZ.