Vol 2 No.1

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Browsing Vol 2 No.1 by Subject "Al-Quds University"

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    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.
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    Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Using Dental Floss Among Dental Students at Al-Quds University
    (Al-Quds University, Deanship of Scientific Research, 2020-12-22) Saleh, Raghad; Khrishie, Hiba; Nieroukh, Ruba; Danadneh, Mayar; Kateeb, Elham
    Introduction: Dental plaque is one of the major factors in the initiation and progression of dental caries, gingivitis and periodontal diseases. It has been reported that tooth brushing alone can clean only 3 surfaces of the tooth's five surfaces. Thus combining tooth brushing with interdental cleaning is crucial. Dental floss is one of the most effective interdental interventions that remove plaque between the teeth. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practices related to the use of dental floss among dental students at Al-Quds University, Palestine. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among dental students from the Faculty of Dentistry at Al Quds University from first to the fifth year, to assess knowledge about the use of dental floss, attitude towards the importance of the use of dental floss and students' practice related to the use of dental floss. In addition, socio-demographic information was collected. Results: 292 students completed the survey, the sample was composed of 18.2% in 1st year, 16.1% in the 2nd year, 18.2% in the 3rd year, 22.3% in the 4th and 25.3% in the 5th year. Students who use dental floss, 33.3% believes that modern toothbrush is similar to dental floss, the relation of dental floss use with students who believed that modern toothbrushes with advanced bristle design remove interdental plaque similar to dental floss it was less, X2=6.2, p=0.01. Students who believed that the use of dental floss beside toothbrush daily is important to gingival health 55.2%, in relation of the use of dental floss X2 =5.6, p=0.02. 35% of students who use dental floss believed that the use of dental floss is difficult, with the use of dental floss X2 =20, p=0.05. 48.5% of students who use dental floss believe that dental floss is not given adequate importance in dental education, with the use of dental floss X2 =4.2, p=0.04. For knowledge results 58.2% of students who use dental floss know how to use dental floss with X2 =25, p<0.05. For practice results, students who use mouthwash, used dental floss more, X2=10.8, p=0.001. Conclusions: Al-Quds University dental students have adequate knowledge on how effective is using the floss as an adjunct to the toothbrush, we still should encourage the community and students to do so.