Browsing by Author "Sallam, Mohammed"

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Challenges in Elucidating HIV Genetic Diversity in the Middle East and North Africa: A Review Based on a Systematic Search
(MDPI AG, 2024-12-31) Sallam, Mohammed
The extensive genetic diversity of HIV-1 represents a major challenge to public health interventions, treatment, and successful vaccine design. This challenge is particularly pronounced in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where limited data among other barriers preclude the accurate characterization of HIV-1 genetic diversity. The objective of this review was to analyze studies conducted in the MENA region to delineate possible barriers that would hinder the accurate depiction of HIV-1 genetic diversity in this region. A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar was conducted for published records on HIV-1 genetic diversity in the English language up until 1 October 2024 across 18 MENA countries. The pre-defined themes of challenges/barriers included limited sampling, data gaps, resource and infrastructure constraints, HIV-1-specific factors, and socio-cultural barriers. A total of 38 records were included in the final review, comprising original articles (55.3%), reviews (21.1%), and sequence notes (10.5%). Libya (15.8%), Morocco (13.2%), Saudi Arabia, and MENA as a whole (10.5% for each) were the primary sources of the included records. Of the 23 records with original MENA HIV-1 sequences, the median number of sequences was 46 (range: 6–193). The identified barriers included the following: (1) low sampling density; (2) limited clinical data (21.7% with no data, 60.9% partial data, and 17.4% with full data); (3) reliance solely on population sequencing and insufficient use of advanced sequencing technologies; (4) lack of comprehensive recombination analysis; and (5) socio-cultural barriers, including stigma with subsequent under-reporting among at-risk groups. The barriers identified in this review can hinder the ability to map the genetic diversity of HIV-1 in the MENA. Poor characterization of HIV-1’s genetic diversity in the MENA would hinder efforts to optimize prevention strategies, monitor drug resistance, and develop MENA-specific treatment protocols. To overcome these challenges, investment in public health/research infrastructure, policy reforms to reduce stigma, and strengthened regional collaboration are recommended.
Pharmacy workforce: a systematic review of key drivers of pharmacists’ satisfaction and retention
(Informa UK Limited, 2025-02-28) Sallam, Mohammed
Background: Pharmacy workforces are central to healthcare systems, yet the profession faces challenges in job satisfaction and retention due to evolving roles, workload pressures, and other issues. Understanding workforce stability is crucial for optimising pharmacy services. Objective: This systematic review aimed to identify and analyze the critical factors impacting pharmacy staff job satisfaction and retention, providing actionable insights to improve workforce stability and long-term engagement in the profession. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), covering broad academic databases including EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and the supplementary use of Google Scholar for studies published between 2019 and 2024. The quality of the included articles was evaluated, revealing a generally low to moderate risk of bias. Results: The review synthesised findings from 81 studies and extracted ten relevant themes. Countries including the United States, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia countries contributed most frequently, highlighting regional research diversity. Key factors influencing job satisfaction included burnout, stress, and workload (24%); work conditions and roles (22%); professional development (14%); earnings and benefits (10%); and leadership support (9%). Conclusion: With a global perspective that travels across 36 countries in five continents, this study is the latest in-depth analysis of factors influencing job satisfaction in the pharmacy workforce. This review emphasises the need for policy reforms and further research on workplace conditions in different locations. It provides insights for policymakers and healthcare leaders to enhance the pharmacy workforce's strategic support and engagement initiatives.
Pharmacy workforce: a systematic review of key drivers of pharmacists' satisfaction and retention.
(2025) Sallam, Mohammed
Background: Pharmacy workforces are central to healthcare systems, yet the profession faces challenges in job satisfaction and retention due to evolving roles, workload pressures, and other issues. Understanding workforce stability is crucial for optimising pharmacy services.
Vaping leads tobacco consumption among university students in Arab countries: a study of behavioral and psychosocial factors associated with smoking.
(2025) Sallam, Mohammed
E-cigarettes use "vaping" is a growing public health concern. The Arabic-validated Vaping Attitude and Perceptions Scale (VAPeS) instrument assesses vaping determinants across five constructs: Social Influence, Perceived Harms, Vaping Pleasure, Behavioral Influences, and Economic and Self-Efficacy. We aimed to examine the prevalence of cigarette, e-cigarette, and narghile use among Arab university students and to identify the associations between demographic/VAPeS-related variables and the smoking attitudes among vapers.