Journal Article Reviews-Task Sheet

Introduction

Within the context of this task I searched for articles on HCT’s Library webpage using search applications. The articles were focused on a subject of social importance; in this case I chose ‘smoking’ as the subject for conducting the research.

Section 1

For the first source I chose the ‘electronic resources’ search application to search for articles on smoking. I used the key word ‘smoking’ which helped me get various numbers of articles in the results.

In the second source, I chose ‘electronic resources’ search application for searching the article on smoking, I used the key word ‘smoking problem’ to narrow down the search on the problems associated with smoking.

Finally, in the last source, I chose ‘electronic resources’ search application for searching for the article on smoking but this time I chose keywords like ‘midwakh, smoking, UAE’ to narrow down the search on smoking trend of midwakh in U.A.E.

Section 2

Article 1:

Title: Smoking bans and the secondhand smoking problem: an economic analysis

Abstract:

Smoking bans are gaining widespread support in the European Union and other countries. The vast majority of these bans are partial bans given that smoking is still permitted in certain places. This article investigates the role of partial smoking bans in coping with externalities caused by the secondhand smoking problem. Although it is widely known that Pigouvian taxation is superior to a perfect ban, this result does not necessarily carry over to a partial ban because taxes cannot (easily) be differentiated according to location. We show that under an easy and intuitive condition, (1) enacting a partial smoking ban alone always improves social welfare (a) in an unregulated society and (b) even in a regulated society if externalities can be eliminated, and (2) it is ensured that a combination of Pigouvian tax and a partial smoking ban leads to a higher social optimum than implementing corrective Pigouvian taxation alone (Hofmann & Nell, 2011)

Article 2:

Title: The problem of tobacco smoking

Abstract: Cigarette smoking is the single biggest avoidable cause of death and disability in developed countries. Smoking is now increasing rapidly throughout the developing world and is one of the biggest threats to current and future world health. For most smokers, quitting smoking is the single most important thing they can do to improve their health. Encouraging smoking cessation is one of the most effective and cost effective things that doctors and other health professionals can do to improve health and prolong their patients' lives. This series will explore the reasons why smokers smoke, how to help them to quit, and how to reduce the prevalence of smoking more generally (Edwards, 2004)

Article 3:

Title: Midwakh-induced seizures: case series from UAE

Abstract: Drug-induced seizures are rare causes of hospital admissions (Coleman, 2004) [1]. Various classes of drugs are reported to induce seizures either directly, due to their epileptogenic potential or due to drug withdrawal effect, or indirectly, due to systemic and CNS-related side effects (Thundiyil et al., 2011) [2]. Midwakh is commonly used among young Emiratis. However, its CNS-related adverse effects are not well studied. We report seven consecutive patients with a history of seizures provoked by smoking midwakh and a negative workup for epilepsy. Six of these patients had no further seizures after they had agreed to discontinue smoking midwakh (Al saadi, Al Kaddour, Shahrour, Shakra, Turkawi & Shatila, 2014)

Section 3

Article 1

Article title: Smoking bans and the secondhand smoking problem: an economic analysis

Population:  Not applicable (there is no population included in this research)

Research approach: Qualitative research

Sampling selection procedures/ Data collection methods: reporting and observation.

Main results:

Public policy makers are advised to decide about smoking bans as follows:

Ø  If qb^q, i.e., if externalities do not differ substantially with respect to location, introducing a partial smoking ban makes no economic sense. In this case, corrective Pigouvian taxation is the best option to maximize social welfare.

Ø  If d\(q - qb)(1 - p)s and qb[0, i.e., if externalities differ substantially with respect to location, enacting a partial smoking ban might improve social welfare. Then, combining a partial smoking ban with corrective Pigouvian taxation seems the most successful policy instrument: It is associated with an even higher social optimum than corrective taxation alone.

Ø  If d\(q - qb)(1 - p)s and qb = 0, i.e., if externalities are reduced to zero, enacting a partial smoking ban is superior to implementing a Pigouvian tax.

Ø  If d[(q - qb)(1 - p)s and qb C 0, corrective Pigouvian taxation is superior to a partial smoking ban.

Is there any important information missing from the research methods? Or is there a problem with the data relative to the conclusion? The researchers do not mention the target audience, the population or sampling size.

Article 2

Article title: The problem of tobacco smoking

Population:  Not mentioned

Research approach: Qualitative research method

Sampling selection procedures/ Data collection methods: observations, interviews, questionnaires, reporting, etc.

Main results: Effective prevention of cigarette smoking and help for those wishing to quit can therefore yield enormous health benefits for populations and individuals. Promoting and supporting smoking cessation should be an important health policy priority in all countries and for healthcare professionals in all clinical settings. However, this has not so far generally been reflected at a policy level or in the practice of individual healthcare professionals.

Article 3

Article title: Midwakh-induced seizures: case series from UAE

Population: 7 individuals based in U.A.E

Research approach: Qualitative research methods (case studies)

Sampling selection procedures/ Data Collection methods: 7 case studies chosen for the purpose of evaluation.

It is evident that additional studies of a lager sample size and a nationwide drug registry may shed some light on the questions this study has raised. For example, an interesting question of why seizures do occur following smoking in some, but not all, sessions need to be addressed. Likewise, it is still not clear if midwakh-induced seizures are provoked, due to the toxic level of nicotine, or the other constituents midwakh contains, or whether they, merely, occur as a result of rapid surge of these substances in the blood. Careful work testing the exact constituents of midwakh smoke and a better understanding of their mechanisms of action may enhance our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of seizures induced by midwakh and would be expected to lead the development of more effective treatments and preventive strategies

Section 4: Article evaluation

The best article is the “Midwakh-induced seizures: case series from UAE”, followed by ‘The problem of tobacco smoking’ with finally the worst article titled: “Smoking bans and the secondhand smoking problem: an economic analysis”

With regards to the highest ranking article, I believe ““Midwakh-induced seizures: case series from UAE” article is very informative, well-structured and clearly defines its objectives, sampling methods and chosen population for the purpose of research. Furthermore, the article studies something specific about smoking, it focuses on the use of midwakh amongst Emirati youngsters in U.A.E by referring t the CNS related side effects of smoking midwakh.. Furthermore, it reports on seven consecutive patients who suffered from seizures which were provoked by smoking midwakh. Furthermore, I find this article easy to read and understand where complex terms are explained for the ease of the reader. Also, the findings from this article clearly illustrate something meaningful in terms of how the patients who were suffering from epilepsy were smoking midwakh and evaluating their side effects. Further on the findings conclude how six of the patients managed to recover whereby they decided to give up midwakh smoking; this clearly illustrates a resolution to a given problem in this context which makes the article interesting.