Vol 2 No.1

Permanent URI for this community

https://dspace.alquds.edu/handle/20.500.12213/6268

Browse

Browsing Vol 2 No.1 by Issue Date

Filter results by year or month
Now showing 1 - 20 of 47
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    تأثير القلق من امتحان الرياضيات على التحصيل الأكاديمي لدى طالبات مدرسة بنات حارس الثانوية
    (جامعة القدس، عمادة البحث العلمي, 2020-12-22) قاسم, دانا; شملاوي, هديل; موقدي, كوكب
    هدف البحث إلى تقليل قلق الامتحان في مادة الرياضيات لدى طالبات مدرسة بنات حارس الثانوية وتحسين مستوى تحصيل الطالبات. ولتحقيق أهداف البحث طورت الباحثتان استبانة مكونة من 32 فقرة تعبر عن مشاعر الطالبة واتجاهاتها قبل وأثناء اختبار الرياضيات لتقيس قلق الاختبار، وامتحان قبلي وبعدي، وملاحظة أداء طالبات العينة خلال الحصص. تم اختيار عينة من مدرسة بنات حارس الثانوية بطريقة العينة العشوائية الطبقية حيث تكونت عينة البحث من 74 طالبة من طالبات الصف الخامس إلى الصف الحادي عشر العلمي والأدبي، وتم استخدام المنهج الإجرائي في هذا البحث. أما واستخدام برنامج الرزم الاحصائي SPSS تحليل الاستبانة، فقد خضعت العينة إلى برنامج إرشادي بالتعاون مع المرشدة، بالإضافة إلى استراتيجيات تدريس تم تحديدها في البحث بالتعاون مع معلمات الرياضيات، كما أن طالبات الصف الحادي عشر علمي قاموا بتدريس طالبات العينة باستخدام تعليم الأقران. أظهرت نتائج البحث أن تنويع استراتيجيات التدريس يؤثر على تحصيل الطالبات في المدرسة بشكل إيجابي، وأن هناك علاقة إحصائية عكسية بين التحصيل والقلق، وأن العلاقة غير دالة إحصائيًا بين قلق الاختبار والبرنامج الإرشادي المتبع في البحث إلا أن هذا البرنامج الارشادي كان له أثر ملحوظ في تصرف الطالبات قبل وأثناء الاختبار حيث لوحظ أن طالبات العينة تأثرت من خلال أداء تمارين الاسترخاء والحديث بإيجابية عن الاختبار، وبناء على نتائج البحث تم تقديم توصيات خاصة لتقليل قلق اختبار الرياضيات ورفع التحصيل الأكاديمي لطالبات مدرسة بنات حارس الثانوية.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Transcending Zionism Identity and Inclusion Across the Borders of its Colonial Schema
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Milhem, Zeina; Ruiz, Laura Menchaca
    The Israeli State envisions itself as first and foremost a Jewish state. Its founding narrative is that it offers refuge and safe haven to Jews from around the world, who would otherwise face discrimination. However, seen from a historical perspective, Zionism used non-European Jews as colonial tools to emancipate the European Jew. Within this process of emancipation, new Jewish identities emerged like the “New Jew” and the “Mizrahi” while others have been marginalized like the “Arab Jew”. My research explores the various ways Zionism has included and excluded Jewish groups [Arab Jew and Sephardim] in various stages of its colonial presence in Palestine. I complicate Zionism’s colonial schema through analyzing the role of the Mizrahi in advancing and hindering the process of Zionist nation-building. Through exploring Zionism’s domain of labour in Palestine, this project explores the limits of the borders and boundaries of the Zionist colonial - schema. .
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    دور التطبيق الذكي( Healthy Buddy) من تخفيف معاناة مرضى حمى البحر الأبيض المتوسط
    (جامعة القدس، عمادة البحث العلمي, 2020-12-22) الجنيدي, همام أشرف شاكر; عمرو, تيسير
    يهدف التطبيق الذكي (healthy buddy) إلى المساهمة في دعم مرضى حمّى البحر الأبيض المتوسط، ويساهم في زيادة الوعي نحو هذا المرض في المجتمع، ويساعد في حلّ مشكلات المرضى وتغيير حياتهم نحو الأفضل من خلال مراقبة نوبات الحمى وتدوينها في السجل الإلكتروني الخاص بالمريض، والذي يمكن متابعته من قبل مركز الدعم التطوعي من الأطباء من خلال الصفحة الخاصة بالمريض في التطبيق. تكونت عينة البحث من 10 أشخاص مصابين بحمى البحر الأبيض المتوسط من مدينة الخليل، واستخدم الباحث أدوات البحث الاستبانة، والمقابلات مع الأطباء والمرضى والاهل، وقد أظهرت نتائج البحث أن 92% من أفراد العينة يؤيدون فكرة التطبيق وأهميته في متابعة المرضى. وقد تم تجربة المشروع على ثلاثة متطوعين من مرضى FMF. يوصي البحث بتطوير المشروع في حال وجود خطر على حياة المريض أن يقوم بإرسال إشارات ورسائل تنبيه إلى الاهل ومراكز الدعم التطوعي من الأطباء والمتخصصين لعمل اللازم للمريض والتخفيف من معاناته.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Quality of Pain Relief Provided in the Emergency Room (ER) for Patients with Acute Abdominal Pain A Prospective Clinical Audit
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Abu Shammala, Haneen; El-Bari, Duha Abed; Abu Nasser, Eman; Othman, Huda; Abo Alkomboz, Tasneem; Kawrea, Rola; Ishtiawi, Nada; Al Naqeeb, Esraa; Jamie, Najlaa; Bottcher, Bettina
    A prospective study was conducted in the ERs of Al-Shifa, Indonesian and European Gaza hospitals, a structured questionnaire was used to collect characteristics of pain and its management. Pain intensity was recorded at different intervals using a 10-point numerical rating scale. This study found that patients attended to ER with a mean pain score of 8.3±1.4 and they left with a mean pain score of 4.6±3.5. burns. Background: Acute abdominal pain is the most common cause of surgical consultations in the ER and the most common cause of non-trauma related admissions. Little is known about pain management in Gaza Strip hospitals. Therefore, this study assesses whether patients presenting with acute abdominal pain received adequate analgesia, compared to the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Guidelines. Objectives: To assess pain management in the ER in terms of the prescription practice of pain-relieving medications, pain progression from arrival till disposition and adequacy of analgesics provided. Methodology: A prospective-observational study was conducted in the ERs of three Gaza Strip hospitals, representing three distinct geographical areas, from 30th July till 30th August. All Patients above 18 years old, presented to the ER with acute abdominal pain, with no history of analgesia intake before their hospital visit were included. Data was collected by nine trained interviewers through a structured questionnaire. Pain was quantified by the patients by a 10-point numerical rating scale. This was done on arrival as well as at 30 and 60 minutes after receipt of analgesia and at discharge. Verbal consent was obtained from the patients. Approval had been obtained from the Directorate General of Human Resources Development before data collection. Data were analyzed via SPSS and are presented as mean scores ± standard deviations as well as in total numbers and percentages. Results: A total of 157 patients were included, 77 (49%) were males and the mean age was 39.8+15.4 years. Furthermore, 78 (49.7%) were from Hospital A, 52 (33.1%) from Hospital B and 27 (17.2%) from Hospital C. The sample included 100 (63.7%) patients with a provisional diagnosis of renal colic, 17 (10.8%) with biliary colic, 13 (8.3%) with appendicitis, 9 (5.7%) with intestinal obstruction and 18 (11.4%) other diagnoses. A total of 29 patients (18.5%) did not receive any analgesia in the ER. Of the 128 patients (81.5%), who received analgesics, 115 (89.8%) had non-steroidals while 13 (10.1%) received opioids. Opioids were adequately titrated in all patients and no circulatory instability occurred. The mean pain score on arrival was 8.3±1.4, while it was 7.1±3.6 30 minutes later, 6.6±4.2 after 60 minutes and 4.6±3.5 on discharge. Conclusion: Although pain relief was given and experienced pain decreased for most patients, but only seven patients (4.4%) were completely pain-free on discharge. Generally, patients with intense pain were quickly given analgesics. Hence, efforts should be focused on patients suffering moderate or mild pain to also receive adequate pain relief in the ER. Agreed local guidelines and training of staff could also facilitate this process.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Protect Your Children from Using Smartphones
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Mohammad, Hiba Issa; Ibrahim, Najwan Taha
    Abstract: The aim of this study is to shed light on the phenomenon of children under the age of five using smartphones in the area of Bethlehem, and to study its negative impacts on them from the perspective of parents. A programmed application has also been downloaded on parents’ phones to help them solve this problem. The study population consists of 94 individuals who filled questionnaires and 30% of them downloaded the researcher application and filled an evaluation form. The results indicated that this phenomenon is very prevalent in the region and most children spend more than two hours on the phone daily. Besides, most of the parents are worried and not satisfied with their children’s behavior and agreed that this phenomenon has negative effects on the physical, social and mental aspects of the children and that many of their children have reached the point of addiction. The application prepared faced a noticeable acceptance from the parents. This study recommends that parents need to limit children’s extensive use of mobiles and should be more assertive in this matter. Background: Several studies have tried to reveal the extent of this phenomenon and its negative effects on children. Some studies have found that many children spend long hours on smartphones and tablets to the point of reaching addiction, so it becomes difficult to keep them away from phones. Objectives: The aim of this study is to shed light on the phenomenon of children using smart phones in Bethlehem, and to study the extent of its negative impacts on them. Methods: The descriptive analytical method was followed; 94 questionnaires were filled by the parents to study the extent of this phenomenon in and its effects.A programmed application was downloaded on 30 devices of the participants and has been tried for about two weeks. Another questionnaire was filled to evaluate application success in solving the problem, the two forms were analyzed using the SPSS . Results: 1-The studied phenomenon is very prevalent, and most children spend more than two hours on devices. Most of the parents are not satisfied with this and they wish but unable to solve it. 2- the parents agreed that this phenomenon has physical effects on the child, including sight problems, lethargy, laziness, insufficient sleep, etc. also it has social, psychological and moral problems such as isolation, lack of play with children, as it can teach the child violence, bullying, aggression, earning him nervousness, and selfishness. 3 - The prepared application has succeeded Conclusions: The studied phenomenon is very prevalent in the region, and many children have reached the point of addiction. This phenomenon has negative effects on the physical, social and mental aspects of the child. The prepared application has succeeded in solving this problem relatively, but it needs more future improvements.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A Comparative Study of Antipsychotic Drugs Use Among Psychiatric Patients in Palestine Quality of Life (QOL) and Long-acting Injectable (LAI) Assessment
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Sughaiar, Sarah; Alkurde, Basema; Zaro, Ibrahim; Ebido, Hamzeh; Shaheen, Muamar
    past decade and were used mainly for long-term treatment of schizophrenia. However, their role in short term intermittent use and for other psychiatric conditions were not elucidated clearly. Objectives: To compare the quality-of-life improvement for patients on LAIs comparing to conventional treatment and whether the improvement was clinical or psychosocial in nature. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was run on psychiatric patients who are taking LAIs and/or conventional treatment at Mohammad Said Kamal hospital for mental illness in Bethlehem and Mental Health Clinic of The Ministry of Health in Hebron city from September 2019 to March 2020. GAF score was calculated for each patient among other mental scale scores such as CGI-S and DIEPSS to determine the quality of life and other aspects of improvement. Patients were categorized into LAIs-taking only or LAIs and conventional treatment groups. A previously used and standardized questionnaire with some modifications was used to collect information about relapse and enhancement of their status. Results: Fifty-one patients were included in this study, 74 % were males, age 30-89 years old (42% were 50-59 years old). Ten percent of patients only were on LAIs alone and the rest were taking a combination of both LAIs and conventional treatment. Patients' GAF scores ranged from 11-20 to 91-100 with a spectrum of patients on all GAF score scale range. Thirty-seven percent of patients fell in the GAF score 51-60; Moderate symptoms (flat affect and circumlocutory speech, occasional panic attacks) or moderate difficulty in social, occupational, or school functioning. Patients were taking one to six drugs at a time. There was a negative relationship between taking many drugs along with LAIs and scoring badly on GAF scale. One patient was on Haloperidol IM depot injection scored 91-100 on GAF and was stable and improving. The main reasons for substitution to LAIs from highest to lowest, were as follows; adherence (24 patients), no reason at all (14), patient dissatisfaction (7), adherence and patient dissatisfaction (3), then side effects, convenience (ease of use), and availability of the drug at the same level (1 patient each). Conclusions: Erratic drug supply especially during crises times (COVID-19) for crucial drugs such as LAIs plays a major role in adherence and prognosis of psychiatric conditions. Dealing with LAIs as emergency use only in some practices was the main reason for relapse and instability in psychiatric conditions and will affect social improvement.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Palestinian Prisoners and the Right to Health the Israeli Systematic Violations Against the Right to Health
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Mizher, Yazan; Terris, Daniel
    The idea of this research came as a result of the increasing number of health problems among the Palestinian prisoners, and as a result of the Israeli attempts in legitimizing the grave violations against Palestinian prisoners, since the Israeli government passed and ratified many laws that directly violate Palestinian prisoners' rights, and especially the right to health. This research aims to show the responsibility of Israel under international law, and how it tries to remove the legal status of the Palestinian prisoners. This project adopted both quantitative and qualitative methods to conduct the research since they complement each other for the various aspects of this research. In the qualitative approach, reports and international treaties will be used. As for quantitative, statistics and surveys from Addameer will be used. These surveys are filled by prisoners during the lawyers’ first visits, and they include direct specific questions about the ill-treatment, and torture that they might have/ might have not experienced. The methodological approach of this project includes: - 1) Analysis of the primary documents. 2) Primary source: Such as reports published by organizations and institutions. The reports would act as a database for the research, for they include statistics, laws, procedures, etc. 3) Analysis of the secondary sources: The secondary sources used in this research are books, journals, reports, and articles. 4) Interviews: The interviews will be held with former prisoners who have been detained in Israeli prisons, and with people who have experience with the mechanisms that Israel uses in the lawmaking process. This research is expected to conclude that Palestinian prisoners' right to health is deliberately violated by the prison administration and the Israeli judicial system. Also, it's expected that this research will explore how the judicial system in Israel deals with the grave violations of prisoners' right to health. The hypothesis of this research is trying to prove how the Israeli military and judicial system are biased and do not comply with the international treaties and agreements that Israel has signed and ratified. The significance of this research is to show how Palestinian prisoners' right to health is systematically violated, and what are the methods that Israel uses in its violation. The most challenging part of this research is to prove that Israeli violations are systematic.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Spatio-Temporal Analysis for LanduseLandcover in Bethlehem District Using Remote Sensing and GIS
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Hrenat, Hala; ِAbuseba’a, Shurooq; Abu Rajab, Nidal
    The aim of this project is to make a comprehensive study to find solutions for spatial issues in Bethlehem, such as the situation of natural reserves, the situation of roads, the spatial analysis for schools and facilities locations, the expansion of urban areas. The data was collected from satellite imagery (Landsat from USGS Earth Explorer, Sentinel from ESA Open Access Hup, and municipalities), facilities locations (schools, dumping sites, and hospitals), as well as Aerial photos. The data of satellite imagery were classified according to Corrine classifications, and then analyzed the current facilities of Bethlehem District. Spatial analysis was conducted to suggest new facility locations, and centerlines of roads were digitized from aerial photos and were analyzed to suggest new roads location. In the end, the results showed that there was a big growth of urban areas, shrinkage of the natural reserves areas, and an expansion of the Israeli settlements during the years (1987, 2002, 2013, 2015, 2018). The researchers suggest new places for roads and facilities (such as schools, and dumping sites).
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Educational, Emotional and Physical Effects of Lock-Down Due to COVID-19 on Palestinian Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Amer, Saif; Hamad, Khalil; Idrees, Fatima; Almasri, Kamal; Kateeb, Elham
    Background: Corona-virus pandemic has affected millions of people worldwide. On March 5th, 2020, the first cases were identified in Palestine, and a partial lockdown including schools was imposed and then being followed by a total lockdown from March 22nd until May 26th. Students stayed home and switched to online learning, for almost two months with restrictions on many aspects of their lives. Therefore, this study aimed to explore how the lockdown related to the current pandemic impacted the lives of a convenient sample of Palestinian students. Methods: An online survey using google forms were sent out to a convenient sample of students participating in extracurricular programs offered by Al Nayzak Palestine, and Code Palestine. Fifteen questions asked about the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown imposed in the period between March 5th and May 26th on students’ physical activity, emotions, social relationships and education. Gender and grade level data were also collected. Parental consent was obtained for all participants. Results: One-hundred and four students completed the survey in September 2020. 39% were boys and 40% were in 11th grade, 30% in 9th grade and 24% were in 10th grade. Sixty-four percent did a little or no form of physical activity during this period and 61% increased their screen time due to gaming and online learning. Forty-two percent did not care about the Corina virus and 35% were worried, mainly because of the fear that their family may get infected. 30% reported that they had less contact with family and friends and 49% missed them very much during the lockdown. 30% percent thought that the current pandemic affected their learning a lot and 21% thought they should not go back to schools in person until the pandemic has completely gone away. Conclusion: Data from this survey suggests that there is a significant physical, emotional and educational impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students. Parents and teachers should be encouraged to discuss these major issues with students to address their challenges. Students’ opinions and feelings need to be addressed in any future plan of changing the learning format in response to the current pandemic worries.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessing Nutritional Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices and their Association with Body Mass Index Among a Group of Students at Al-Quds University
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Mansour, Iman; Njoom, Njood; Ghrayeb, Afnan; Agha, Hazem
    Background: Good nutrition is essential for the growth, development and maintenance of health throughout life. Beyond the negative impact, malnutrition has on socio-economic development, lack of sufficient foods and quality food undermines the quality of health and the wellness of the population of all ages. Development in nutrition science has continued to show a linkage between health and nutrition since the 20th-century discovery on the consequences of malnutrition. Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the nutritional knowledge, attitude and practices and their association with body mass index among a group of students from Al- Quds University. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted through a self-administered questionnaire given to a group of students from Al-Quds University. The questionnaire was designed based on earlier studies to meet the study objectives. The questions were translated into Arabic. The Inclusion criteria in this study included Bachelors's students from different faculties at Al-Quds University. The exclusion criteria included academic staff, pregnant and lactating females, higher studies students and administrative. The data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for the Social Software (SPSS) version 20 using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. Results: Four hundred and nighty out of 500 distributed questionnaires were returned successfully. Over half (50.2%) of them were males. 66.3% of the participants had good nutritional knowledge, 61.8% had a positive attitude regarding healthy eating and 31.2% had good practices regarding healthy eating. The demographic character was not a significant predictor of nutritional attitude. However, there was a significant predictor between demographic character and nutritional knowledge and practices. There was a positive relationship at the level of significance p-value 0.005 or less and the alpha sign between attitude and practices, knowledge and attitude. Most of the students (53.35%) exhibited normal weight. Health professions and medical students had good nutritional knowledge compared to education science and business & economics students. Conclusion: The majority of the sample had good nutritional knowledge and practices. However, most of them shown a negative nutritional attitude regarding healthy eating. The university should develop a nutritional course to be taught as a university requirement course.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Psychological Impact of the Covid-19 Lockdown on Dental Students: A Cross-sectional Study
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Abu Kwaik, Aya; Saleh, Raghad; Danadneh, Mayar; Kateeb, Elham
    Introduction: Dental students in their clinical training face a higher risk of contracting the disease, COVID-19, as well as experiencing adverse psychological outcomes. Therefore, this study was done to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 and the lockdown on the mental health of dental students during the current pandemic. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among dental students during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic to assess levels of depression, anxiety, and stress using the standardized DASS-21 scale. In addition, demographic, socio-economic, academic performance, sources of information about COVID-19, and perception of on-line education difficulties were collected. Results: A total of 436 students completed the survey (55.18% response rate). In the current sample, 48% (n=209), 76% (n=33), 70% (n=305) showed different levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Dental students who stated that their family income was impacted by COVID-19 showed signs of depression, X2=7.3, p=.007, and anxiety, X2=6.1, p=.013. Dental students who faced difficulties in switching to e-learning reported different levels of depression, X2=14, p<.001; anxiety, X2=9, p=.003; and stress, X2=24, p<.001. Conclusions: In preparation for the next academic year, strategies to support the mental health of dental students in their clinical training and e-learning process should be in place.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Israel Methodologies on Palestinian Properties
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Satari, Anaghim Ibrahim Salama; Alkurd, Maher
    Palestinians suffer since 75 years from the apartheid system that Israel applies as a method to dominate the land. This study highlights the importance of international law and international humanitarian law in the Palestinian case and analyzes the relation between occupying power and people under occupation. So, Israeli builds methodologically expropriate Palestinian properties in contravention of international law and human rights. Also, its expropriation police are branching for different aspects. The project will begin with colonization methodological on Palestinian properties since the beginning of the Zionist movements and the first conference in 1897. Israeli settlements began to be manifested in a settlement of Bitah Tikfa - The first Israeli settlement built on Palestine - and the point of view of the international law and conventions, such as Huge 1907, Fourth Geneva 1949, Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. In the third part, the project will review how Oslo accords in 1993 and Tramp’s Deal of the century legitimize the right of the expropriation of Palestinian properties by Israel and partition the land between Israel and Palestine. Fourthly: How Israel applies the law of Absentee properties as the right to ownership by applying Ottoman law to serve its interests. Lastly: What is the role of international law in the protection of the right of propriety for refugees and displacement people (in camps and the Diaspora) with reference to the convention on refugee's convention in 1951 and the Fourth Geneva Convention in 1949. The research includes criticism of the extreme and barbaric methodology of domination by using claims based on ancient history, and demonstration to collect documentations and secondary sources of information: websites, books, films, magazines, and articles, the primary sources are interviews with first-generation refugees and political figures and activists, interviews with people who have had their properties expropriated. The research design is a historical review; the methodology is qualitative, which gives a mixed method, this design gives a multi-level of perspectives, interpretations, and practices or examines it in real-life. The method of research is more illustrative, using maps and historical documents, it is necessary to present a political message that the world should understand. On one hand, I will capture what history narrative, and see this methodology from a political perspective without an emotional aspect. On the other hand, build a strong point of the rights of properties and give the reader more approach to think more politically. Also, this research project is useful because people lack knowledge and analysis to have critical points by using laws and evidence; so, the project will provide a wide explanation of colonization methodology. The research project will end with a conclusion and a set of recommendations.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Depression Among Medical Students When Compared to Other Students at West Bank Universities
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Edkaidek, Mayar; Mereb, Beesan; Al-Sharif, Niveen; Rishiq, Aseel; Al-Hleqawi, Alaa’; Idkiedek, Sarah; Khalil, Mohammad Omran; Hamad, Lana Barakat; Hallak, Hussein
    Background: Depression has been an inconspicuous yet crucial concern in our society, particularly among medical students, who are the future health care providers. Therefore, our research investigated the following question: “What influence do socio-demographic and academic factors have on depression levels among medical students compared to other students, at West Bank Universities?” Objectives: This research aimed to assess the previous influence, identify and compare the prevalence of depression among medical and non-medical students. More importantly, to investigate whether medical students have the propensity for depression, or it is just a false perception of depression symptoms? Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 714 medical and non-medical students (comparative group), from Al-Quds and Al-Najah Universities. Data was collected using a questionnaire that includes: the investigation of research questions and related factors, and the computations of depression using Beck Depression Inventory. The data were analyzed using SPSS (VER:20). Results: About one-third of our sample’s medical students suffered from some form of depression; in particular, moderate depression appeared to be relatively high (18.7% and 25.5% in medical and control, respectively). At all depression levels, there appeared to be a significant difference, with a lower prevalence of depression in medical students compared to the control group, except that medical students suffered from a higher rate of mild mood disturbances (25.1%) than non-medical students (14.6%). Furthermore, there was a significant relationship (α ≤0.05) between higher prevalence of depression and female gender, lower GPA, low economic status, and lack of psychological support. Other variables, such as accommodation and year of study, showed insignificant relationships with depression. Conclusion: Based on these results, we conclude that the prevalence of depression appears to be high regardless of university or specialty, reflecting the high depression rates in Palestinian society. Higher prevalence of depression among non-medical students can be attributed to medical students’ adaptation to stress from high school, as both universities accept high scores. The researchers recommend medical students to practice their hobbies and participate in extracurricular activities as both factors showed a significant decrease in depression. Finally, the perception of higher depression among medical students seems to be false, according to our results.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Land Cover Change & Environmental Analysis of Hebron District Using GIS & Remote Sensing
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Dandees, Baraa; Saghir, Rahaf; Aljunidi, Yumna; Aburajab, Nidal
    district is selected in this project in order to assess several environmental issues using remote sensing and GIS techniques, Hebron district is the largest governorate in the west bank it contains many religious, historical and archeological sites. The main objective of this project is to create an inclusive study for analyzing land-cover changes, and the environmental effect in Hebron district and certain areas within the district, this study expands from the year 1985 till 2019 using satellites imagery (Land Sat 7 ETM+, Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 8 OLI_TIRS, Sentinel). The study includes Land cover mapping, land surface temperature, particulate matter management, and certain indices calculated using Arc GIS and ENVI software to assess the environmental impact on the study area. Data is collected from satellite imagery for the years (1985, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2019) using Landsat satellite, the evaluation of the Land Surface Temperature (LST), image classification and several indices including Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Bare Soil Index (BSI), and Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), and the particulate matter measurement through models and equations applied in Arc GIS software. Land cover results from 1985 till 2019 show that the built-up area has increased from 54 Km2 to 246 Km2, also the rock area decreased from 134 Km2 to 107 Km2, the area of agricultural land decreased from 79 Km2 to 17 Km2, also the area of barren land decreased from775 Km2 to 671 Km2. Whereas the indices show that Hebron District has a low percentage of vegetation, and a large percentage of bare soil, and high-stress water. Also, there have been a few changes in the land surface temperature spatially and temporally where the maximum temperature was in the year 2000 at 54 ͦ C and the minimum was in 1995 at 16 ͦ C. From an environmental perspective, Hebron is negatively affected by the increase of the built-up area and the decrease in agricultural land and bare land areas, so that it affects air quality, soil quality, plant growth, and flora and fauna diversity.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Evaluation of Infection Control Adherence Among Health Care Workers at Hemodialysis Units
    (2020-12-22) Elmanama, Abdelraouf A.; Abu Sedo, Nour Maher; Alshami, Salsabeel Ehab; Al-Reefi, Mariam
    Background: Patients with chronic renal insufficiency suffer from abnormalities of the immune system, making them more susceptible to infections. Renal disease patients and health care workers are at high risk for infection due to frequently repeated exposure to contaminants in dialysis units. The microbiological monitoring used for hemodialysis is extremely important, especially because of the debilitated immune system of patients suffering from chronic renal insufficiency. Objectives: The purpose of this study to investigate Infection Control Adherence among Health Care Workers at Hemodialysis Units. Methods and Materials: The study was performed from Jun 2019 to 2019. Environmental and air samples were collected. The media used were nutrient agar for the total bacterial count, MacConkey agar for Gram-negative count. Colonial morphology, Gram staining and biochemical test were used for the identification and characterization of the microorganisms. Demographic, environmental, behavioral and some risk factors associated with the patients (N=205) and the HCW (N=32) in haemodialysis units were recorded in a separate questionnaire. Results: The isolates were predominantly gram-negative bacteria, with Enterobacter being the most common followed by Staphylococcus spp. One isolate each of Klebsiella pneuminiae, Salmonella sp. and Citrobacter diversus was obtained. Only 80% of haemodialysis patients received hepatitis B vaccine. Adherence to infection control measures among health care workers was low in 31.2%, moderate in 34.4% and high in 34.4%. Conclusion: The study showed low adherence to infection control measures among patients receiving maintenance HD and HCW in Gaza Strip.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Smart Glove for Translating Arabic Sign Language
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Qasrawi, Hana’; Shawar, Dana; Dwiek, Amal
    Abstract: Deaf and mute people who use sign language are often isolated and forced to live in a limited world, as they face serious communication problems. This project uses small components to build a communication device to support the communication between deaf and mute people with people who do not understand their language, thus fostering their independence. The proposed system includes a smart glove that translates the Arabic sign alphabets, which is the representation of the letters of a writing system, and sometimes numeral systems, using only the hands. These manual alphabets (also known as finger alphabets or hand alphabets) have often been used in deaf education. The smart glove that translates the Arabic Sign Language (ARSL) alphabet was successfully enabled deaf and mute users to translate the signals they make with their hands and fingers into Arabic letters that are transmitted via Bluetooth to the mobile device to appear on the mobile screen. The glove also enabled the user to communicate with people who have no idea about ARSL. Background:  Arabic Sign Language (ARSL) Arabic Sign Language is a natural language that serves as the predominant sign language of Deaf communities in the Arab World. Many efforts have been made to establish the sign language used in individual countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Libya and the Gulf States, by trying to standardize the language and spread it among members of the Deaf community and other concerned. ARSLs are still in their developmental stages, only in recent years has there been an awareness of the existence of communities consisting of individuals with disabilities; the Deaf are not an exception. Arab Deaf communities are almost closed ones. Interaction between a Deaf community and a hearing one is minimal and is basically concentrated around families with deaf members, relatives of the deaf.  Literature Review There are several types of translating sign language to readable text systems. These types appear with many features, but nearly with the same task. In the next sections, a discussion about translating sign language to a readable text system that exists and the scientific topic of some sign language applications is presented. In addition, we make a comparison between all of them. Objectives: We aim in our project to achieve several objectives: 1. Create a technology that helps deaf communicate with un-deaf people by translating sign language into readable text. Through the invention of the smart glove that senses the hand and fingers movement of the deaf person. 2. Eliminate the barrier between deaf people who use sign language and those who do not understand it, through the translation of the sign language, used by the deaf people, to Arabic language and display it on the screen. 3. Make this project the first step to create a robot that can be used to teach people sign language. We can make this technology part of the special robot by using an intelligent technological system. Methods: The system consists of two parts. The first part is the sensor system which consists of the flex sensors, accelerometer and pushbuttons. Because the output of the flex sensors and accelerometer is an analog value, we convert it into digital signals. The second part consists of smart phone and Bluetooth module. These two parts are connected to Arduino. The smart glove converts the Arabic sign language into letters in Arabic language. Therefore, we designed it as follows: nine of flex sensors will be put on the glove, nine sensors on finger joints and two pushbuttons, as shown in figure 2. This system is based on wearing the deaf the glove in his right hand and then makes an Arabic sign language signal. The system consists of a number of flex sensors and pushbuttons which give a certain value reading that reflects the states of whole hand and each finger, In addition we put accelerometer to distinction between similar lettering in the movement of the fingers but different in the direction of the hand. Then these readings are compared with the readings that are stored according to the 28 signals of the Arabic Sign Language. Based on this. The system will take the correct signal and send it as a readable text through Bluetooth to the mobile android application and displayed it on the screen. :stRuseR By the end of the implementation process, the smart glove was constructed. (Figure 3 a) shows the back side of the glove, on which the flex sensors are fixed. The pushbuttons and lithium battery are fixed on the inner part (Figure 3 b). Conclusions: In this project, we constructed a smart glove for supporting deaf people in communicating with normal people who don’t know Arabic sign language. The smart glove which is able to connect to Android mobile and make facilitates sending character. Whereas the android application is able to receive text message from smart glove and the smart glove the smart glove able to send Arabic character to the application. The smart glove is light and easy to use and no risk. At the end of the project we believe that the project is an effective and very useful for deaf people to communicate with other, and it is very useful for deaf and dump people if they are taught Arabic sign language where they can communicate with their families and people around them. Ultimately, with this project, we aim to develop it to support sending a full sentence instead of a single letter. Mainly the system should be extended to support languages more than Arabic, and the system can use several ways to communicate, if can use Wi-Fi connection, which enables a faster connection and better range from the base station or Global System for Mobile communication (GSM module) that is the most widespread and it’s a cellular technology used for transmitting mobile data services, the most obvious advantage of it is widespread use throughout the world.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Bethlehem Diabetic Patients
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Hemeid, Eman; Bannoura, Natalie; Hallak, Hussein
    sleep specialists have dealt with this disease as a simple closure of the upper airway that was treated mainly by Tracheostomy surgery. After 1981, specialists wanted to introduce other effective, easier, and more compliant methods to treat this disease. The continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device fulfilled this intention by supplying a constant air pressure to prevent the airway from collapsing. This method became the gold standard for treating OSA. Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea is a sleep disorder that includes cessation in airflow in the presence of breathing effort, characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway collapse leading to hypoxia during sleep, so the brain wakes the body to restart breathing. Apnea occurs 1-2 times per minute every night in patients with severe OSA. The estimated prevalence has been 4% for men and 2% for women. This disease is strongly related to serious co-morbidities including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders and sleepiness-related accidents. Untreated OSA can lead to a 15-fold increase in traffic accidents so treating OSA can save lives. Objective: The Purpose of this study was to evaluate the awareness of obstructive sleep apnea in Palestinian Diabetes patients. Method: A cross-sectional study used convenience sampling to collect data from 80 diabetic patients in the Bethlehem area. The questionnaire consisted of two parts; the validated Berlin questionnaire for Sleep Apnea was part 1 and sociodemographic factors and disease status in part 2. Based on Berlin Questionnaire, DM patients were divided into high or low risk of having sleep apnea. The second part investigated these people’s knowledge/awareness about the disease and the Device used for treatment. Results: Our sample consists of 80 Palestinian diabetic patients in the Bethlehem district, it includes 39 men and 41 women; their age ranged from 35 to 95 years in which the major percentage was taken from 41 to 65 years. The data indicates that 52 of the patients (65%) have a high risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and the other 28 patients (35%) have a low risk of developing the disease. It appears that 2.5 % already suffers from OSA. The core of our study is to test awareness and knowledge in Bethlehem; results indicate that 70% of patients have no clue what OSA is, while only 30% of the sample heard about this disease. Conclusion: Our study confirmed our main concern; the level of awareness of the condition called obstructive sleep apnea was quite low even though 65% of the diabetic patients tested are at high risk. This may be attributed to a lack of sleep specialists nor centers in the West Bank to diagnose or treat these patients.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Degree of Awareness of Medical Students in Palestinian Universities of Patients' Rights
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Hammad, Abdelrahman Shareef; Hammad, Shareef Ali
    The study aims to measure the degree of awareness of medical students in Palestinian universities of patients' rights according to variables: university, gender and level. The researcher used the descriptive analytical approach (questionnaire) in measuring the degree of awareness of medical students in Palestinian universities of patient rights and processing them into quantitative Valuable expressing the degree of knowledge and awareness. Then, a random sample of 132 medical students was chosen from Al-Azhar and Islamic Universities in the Gaza Strip. The results show that the medical student understands the patients' clinical rights with no statistically significant differences between the third and sixth level students in the two universities. As well as there are no statistically significant differences between Males and females. The researcher recommends enriching medical ethics subject with the patients' and doctors' rights and responsibilities. And emphasizing the ethics of the medical profession in colleges before the clinical stage and before graduation. Objectives: Measuring the degree of awareness of medical students in Palestinian universities of patients' rights according to variables: university, gender and level. Methods: Descriptive analytical approach (questionnaire). Results: The results show that the students of the Faculty of Medicine of the third and sixth levels are fully aware of the rights of patients with an estimated average of 2.24 and a standard deviation of 0.317. Moreover, there are no differences between the third level and the sixth level in the degree of awareness of patients' rights where the average of the third level is 4.25 and Standard deviation 0.326 and the 6th level arithmetic average and standard deviation are 4.23 and 0.309 respectively. The difference of universities does not mean a difference in the awareness of medical students of patients' rights, as it appears in the results that state there are no statistically significant differences at the level of (0.05) between the students of the Faculty of Medicine at al-Azhar and Islamic universities in the degree of their awareness of the rights of patients, where the mathematical average of the sample students of Al-Azhar University 4.18 and standard deviation 4.279 also the mathematical average of the sample of students of Islamic University average 4.279 and standard deviation 0.319. The results show there are no statistically significant differences at the level of (0.05) between males and females in awareness of patients' rights, and this emphasizing their sense of belonging to the medical profession and patients, though the researcher attributes this to the Palestinian society and its culture and that the students of the Faculty of Medicine are informed about the rights of patients. Conclusion: Medical student understands the patients' clinical rights with no statistically significant differences between the third and sixth level students in the two universities.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Development of an In-House Indirect ELISA Kit for Detection and Identification of Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) Antibodies
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Maraqa, Deema; Abu Rmaileh, Hidaya; Hoshiyah, Islam; Rasheed, Ameena; Abu Ghazaleh, Robin
    Infectious bronchitis virus is fatal and highly contagious. Despite the vaccination of industrialized poultry, it causes serious losses in commercial poultry worldwide. Several studies proved that ELISA is more accurate, sensitive, rapid and less technically demanding than Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test when used to detect antibody titers against IBV. However, commercial ELISA kits against IBV are very expensive. The development of an in-house indirect ELISA kit will be challenging to standardized but offer the potential of providing a cost-effective tool for local vaccine efficacy testing that will be easier to use than HI testing. The setup of an in-house indirect ELISA will go through several main stages. Firstly, antigen production will rely upon obtaining the virus from a live vaccine, which will then be inoculated in eggs allantoic fluid in order to get a large amount of NDV. Secondly, purification and quantification steps will be done and verified by Haemagglutination test, spectrophotometry and SDS-PAGE. After validation of antigen preparation, ELISA plates will be coated with antigens and tested using serial diluted serum samples. In sucrose gradient purification, purified virus band is expected to form between 40%-50% sucrose gradient. According to literatures, we expect to have roughly 6 polypeptides with molecular weight ranged from 12 KDa to 160 KDaas a result of SDS-PAGE. Moreover, we predict to have a highly sensitive and specific indirect ELISA kit for the detection of IBV infection.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Management of Burns in Gaza-Strip A Multi-center Clinical Audit
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Aldaya, Haneen Younis; Abu Jamie, Najlaa; Abu Shammala, Haneen; AL-Bashiti, Suzan; shaheen, Hala; Alazar, Ameera; Hammad, Motaz; Ghunim, Mohammed; Al Moghrabi, Ahmed; Bottcher, Bettina
    A combined prospective and retrospective study was conducted in the ERs of Al-Shifa, Nasser Medical Complex and European Gaza hospitals. Two structured questionnaires were used to collect the management of burn according to the Palestinian management protocol. This study found that from the 147 cases that came to the ER, 37.6% underwent ABCDE approach and 87.8% (n=129/147) received sterile dressings. Background: Burns is a global public health problem and appropriate intervention will decrease morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the management of burns in the emergency room (ER), burns units and intensive care units (ICU) of the Gaza-Strip. Objectives: To evaluate the management of burns in the ER, burns unit and ICU in terms of following ABCDE approach, using sterile dressings, giving fluid resuscitation, antibiotics, ranitidine and undergoing physiotherapy. Methods: A prospective study evaluated the management of patients presenting with burns injuries to the ER between the period 22nd July to 20 August 2018, and retrospectively, management of patients was evaluated, who were admitted to the burns units and to ICU between 1st January 2017 and 30th July 2018 at Al-Shifa Hospital and Nasser Medical Complex. The Palestinian management protocol was used for evaluation. A total of 428 patients were identified to have burns injuries during the study period. Of these, 142 were excluded, 108 due to missing files and 34 files had poor documentation (no documentation of medication or assessments). Included were 147 patients admitted to ER, 122 on the burns unit and 17 on the ICU. Results: In the ER, 57.1% (n=84/147) of patients were male, with a mean age of 15.4±14.1. Of the 147 cases, 17.7% (n=26/147) were major burns, which included more than 10% total body surface area burned (TBSA). Of these, 37.6% underwent ABCDE approach and 87.8% (n=129/147) received sterile dressings. From the 122 patients admitted to the burns unit, 59.8% (n=73) were male with a mean age of 11.4±14.6 years. From these, 47.5% (n=58/122) underwent fluid resuscitation, 97.5% (n=119/122) received antibiotics, 17.2% (n=21/122) received ranitidine and 56.6% (n=69/122) underwent physiotherapy. Out of the 17 patients admitted to ICU, 76.5% (n=13/17) were male, with a mean age of 19.2±12.8 years. All of these patients received prophylactic antibiotics, 58.8% (n=10/17) had endotracheal intubation, 5.9% (n=1/17) underwent central venous pressure measurement (CVP), 23.5% (n=4/17) had ABG tested and 88.2% (n=15/17) kidney function tests (KFT), and 64.7% (n=11/17) received ranitidine. No patient had a chest X-Ray (CXR) or carbon monoxide (CO) level done. From the ICU patients, 17.6% (n=3/17) benefitted from physiotherapy, and 35.3% (n=6/17) Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate poor adherence to guidelines in some points, such as patients presenting with major burns, who should all benefit from the ABCDE approach, but less than 40% of patients actually did and antibiotics, which should only be prescribed when indicated, were given to nearly all patients admitted to the burns unit or ICU. Efforts are required to improve staff practices with burn injuries.