Public Health الصحة العامة
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- ItemRisk factors of Pneumonia among Under-five Children in the Gaza Strip: Case-control Study(Al-Quds University, 2023-08-23) Amro Mohamad Ahmad Rabah; عمرو محمد أحمد رباحBackground: pneumonia is still one of the top leading causes of death among children worldwide especially in low and middle-income countries, children under-five years most age group affected by pneumonia, there are several risk factors for pneumonia among under-five children, by identification of these risk factor may mitigate the occurrence and spread of pneumonia. Aim: to assess the main risk factors associated with pneumonia among under-five children in Gaza Strip, in order to develop effective prevention strategies and a better understanding of the underlying risk factors. Methodology: Hospital-based matched case-control study, the study population are children aged 1-59 months in Gaza Strip coming to governmental hospitals (El- Nasser Hospital, Mubarak hospital for Children, and Al- Aqsa Martyr Hospital) during the data collection period, with a sample size 338 children (169 case and 169 control), nonrandomized convenient sample method, the data was being collected by used interviewed questionnaire, the data analyzed by using SPSS version 25, t-test, Pearson's chi-squared test, and Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors that affected pneumonia cases compared to controls among the study children, the P-value was considered significant at P ≤ 0.05 and not significant at P > 0.05. Result: The mean age of the children was 18.82±17.53 months (cases) and 18.72±17.09 months (control) with a range of 1–59 months. There were several factors were found to be associated with pneumonia: maternal occupation status (employed mother) (OR = 10.77; 95% CI, 3.74- 31.08; P-value 0.000), Birth order 2nd -3rd (OR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.09-4.13; P-value 0.026), birth order ≥ 4 (OR = 2.32; 95% CI, 1.31-4.1; P-value 0.004), type of delivery cesarean section (OR = 1.91; 95% CI, 1.22-2.99 ; P-value 0.005), prematurity (OR = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.08-4.41; P = 0.030), Admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (OR = 2.54; 95% CI, 1.42-4.55; P-value 0.002) History of mechanical ventilation (OR = 2.18 ; 95% CI, 1.08-4.41 ; P-value 0.030), History of recurrent Lower respiratory tract infection (OR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3; P-value = 0.022), History of hospital admission due to Lower respiratory tract infection (OR = 4.94; 95% CI, 2.95-8.28; P-value 0.000), History of bronchial asthma or wheezing episodes (OR = 2.04; 95% CI, 1.14-3.66; P-value 0.016), History of neurological disease (OR = 2.88; 95% CI, 1.54-5.4; P-value 0.001), mild wasting (OR = 4.28; 95% CI, 1.7-10.8; P-value 0.002), (OR = 4.28; 95% CI, 1.7-10.8; P-value 0.002), moderate wasting (OR = 3.2; 95% CI, 1.57-6.5; P-value 0.001), severwasting (OR = 7.42; 95% CI, 2.09-26.35; P-value 0.002), mild stunting (OR = 2.76; 95% CI, 1.49-5.13; P-value 0.001), moderate stunting (OR = 3.54; 95% CI, 1.79-6.98; P-value 0.000), sever stunting (OR = 16.5; 95% CI, 2.09- 130.03; P-value 0.008), Underweight (OR = 2.87; 95% CI, 1.74-4.71; P-value 0.000),and exposure outdoor air pollution (Electrical generator near residency (OR = 4.61; 95% CI, 1.29- 16.49; P-value 0.019), and Factory/ petrol station near residence (OR = 2.55; 95% CI, 1.08-6; P-value 0.032)). Conclusion: Identification of pneumonia’s risk factors could help in decrease the occurrence of the disease, This study investigated the main risk factors of pneumonia among under-five children in the Gaza Strip, which include (parental sociodemographic factors, maternal and child-related factors, and environmental factors), the results showed several factors had a significant association with the occurrence of pneumonia among under-five children, most of these factors were modifiable, by correction of these factors could decrease the burden of pneumonia.
- Item"Oral Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Among Diabetic Patients and Their Impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL): A Cross-Sectional Study"(Al-Quds University, 2025-01-06) Iman Ayman Rajae Wahbeh; ايمان ايمن رجائي وهبةBackground: Diabetes Mellitus (DM), a multifactorial condition characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, can lead to severe health complications when uncontrolled. Among its impacts, DM significantly affects oral health, contributing to periodontal diseases, tooth loss, dry mouth, and cavities. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of diabetic patients regarding oral health, examine the impact of these factors on their Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL), and explore correlations with socio-demographic characteristics, behavioral factors, diabetes management, healthcare access, and general and oral health status. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed a mixed sampling approach, combining geographic clustering and convenience sampling techniques. A total of 510 participants aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes mellitus, attending Ministry of Health (MoH) Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs), were recruited. Participants provided verbal consent and completed a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26, with statistical significance set at P<0.05. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed. Differences in KAP and OHRQoL across study variables were assessed using Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests as appropriate. Correlations between KAP, OHRQoL, and associated characteristics were determined using Spearman’s rho. Predictors of OHRQoL were identified through stepwise multiple linear regression, confirmed by the forward method, with results reported as adjusted R2 and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). No multicollinearity was detected in the regression model. Results: The mean OHIP-14 (OHRQoL) score among participants was 17.84 ± 11.65 (range: 0–50), reflecting moderate Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in this population. The most frequently reported oral health issues were dry mouth (62.2%), tooth loss (48.6%), and caries (46.1%). Participants exhibited moderate knowledge levels, with an average score of 6.53 ± 2.07 (range: 1–10), and positive attitudes, with a mean score of 4.88 ± 1.65 (range: 0–6). However, their oral hygiene practices were generally unfavorable, with an average score of 1.99 ± 1.02 (range: 0–6). Significant positive correlations were observed between practice and knowledge (ρ=0.160, P=0.000ρ), practice and attitude (ρ=0.171, P=0.000), and knowledge and attitude (ρ=0.238, P=0.000ρ). The regression analysis revealed several factors influencing OHRQoL. Full-time employment (β=−0.125, P=0.002), higher income (β=−0.128, P=0.001), and a positive attitude (β=−0.103, P=0.009) were associated with better OHRQoL. In contrast, poorer OHRQoL was linked to dental visits primarily for pain relief (β=0.139, P=0.000), discussions with dentists about diabetes and its oral complications (β=0.200, P=0.000), poor general health status (β=0.104, P=0.011), and poor oral health status (β=0.299, P=0.000). Additional predictors of poorer OHRQoL included lower educational levels (β=0.124, P=0.002), no family history of diabetes (β=0.126, P=0.001), and long intervals (more than three months) since testing HbA1c (β=0.098, P=0.012). Conclusions: This study identified a positive attitude as a key predictor of better OHRQoL among diabetic patients, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to foster positive attitudes and improve diabetes management. Conversely, poorer OHRQoL was linked to limited healthcare utilization, such as dental visits focused primarily on pain relief. In addition, socio-economic disparities significantly impacted OHRQoL outcomes, underscoring the importance of addressing these inequalities to enhance healthcare access and outcomes. These findings underscore the need to enhance access to comprehensive dental care and integrate oral health management into diabetes care programs to address the disparities and improve outcomes for diabetic patients.
- Itemفاعلية برنامج إرشادي جمعي قائم على العلاج التعبيري في خفض أعراض الضغط النفسي وتحسين آليات التكيف لدى طالبات الأسر المتصدع(Al-Quds University, 2024-05-20) ليندا محمود محمد سمحان; Linda Mahmoud Mohamed Samhanهدفت هذه الدراسة إلى التعرف إلى فاعلية برنامج إرشادي جمعي قائم على العلاج التعبيري في خفض أعراض الضغط النفسي وتحسين آليات التكيف لدى طالبات الأسر المتصدعة ، تم استخدام المنهج شبه التجريبي في هذه الدراسة، وتكونت عينة الدراسة من (30) طالبة من طالبات المرحلة الإعدادية من الأسر المتصدعة في مدرسة بنات قلنديا الأولى، حيث تم اختيار عينة الدراسة بعد تطبيق مقياس أعراض الضغط النفسي وآليات التكيف على (45) طالبة من طالبات المرحلة الإعدادية من الأسر المتصدعة في مدرسة بنات قلنديا الأولى، ومن ثم تم حصر الطالبات اللواتي حصلن على درجات في الربع الأعلى على مقياس أعراض الضغط النفسي الذي أعدته الباحثة، ولديهن درجات متدنية على مقياس آليات التكيف الذي أعدته الباحثة أيضا ، ثم وزعن عشوائياً إلى مجموعتين ضابطة وتجريبية بحيث تم تقسيمهن بالتساوي إلى مجموعتين، المجموعة الأولى تجريبية مكونة من (15) مبحوثة، والمجموعة الثانية ضابطة ومكونة من (15) مبحوثة. تمت المعالجة الإحصائية اللازمة للبيانات، وتم استخدام الإحصاء الوصفي باستخراج المتوسطات الحسابية، والانحرافات المعيارية لدى أفراد العينة واستجاباتهم على مقياس (أعراض الضغط النفسي) ومقياس (آليات التكيف)، وقد فحصت فرضيات الدراسة عن طريق الاختبار الإحصائي التحليلي التالي: اختبار (ت) للعينات المستقلة (Independent Samples Test) ، واختبار (ت) للعينات المترابطة (Paired Samples Test)، واختبار تحليل التباين الأحادي (One Way Analysis of Variance)، واختبار توكي (Tukey) للمقارنات البعيدة ، وذلك باستخدام الحاسوب باستخدام برنامج الرزم الإحصائية للعلوم الاجتماعية (SPSS).. تم تصميم برنامج إرشادي خاص يستند إلى العلاج التعبيري، وتم تطبيقه على المجموعة التجريبية، على مدار (14) جلسة إرشادية لمدة (70) دقيقة لكل جلسة، وبواقع جلستين أسبوعيا. أظهرت نتائج الدراسة وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بين متوسطات الدرجة الكلية للضغوط النفسية لدى الطالبات اللواتي يعانين من التصدع الأسري قبل تطبيق البرنامج الارشادي وبعده ، وكانت الفروق لصالح القياس البعدي على المجموعة التجريبية، وكانت الفروق دالة أيضا بين المجموعتين التجريبية والضابطة في القياس البعدي لصالح المجموعة التجريبية، مما يعطي مؤشراً إيجابيّاً على اثر البرنامج الارشادي المطبق في خفض أعراض الضغط النفسي وتحسين آليات التكيف لدى طالبات الأسر المتصدعة ، كما أظهرت النتائج من خلال القياس التتبعي استمرارية الأثر للبرنامج الإرشادي.
- ItemLay People Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices about Antibiotics Use and Resistant in the Southern Area of the Gaza Strip(Al-Quds University, 2023-08-12) Maha Sadat Sobhi Alfaqawi; مها سعدات صبحي الفقعاويBackground Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest dangers issues to global health in the 21st century. Antibiotic resistance develops when microorganisms acquire the capacity to resist the antibiotics targeted to eradicate them. Antibiotic resistance is a natural happening, but the misuse of antibiotics accelerates the process. This study aimed to assess lay people knowledge, attitudes, and practices about antibiotics and antibiotic resistant. Methods: Four hundred participants from south Gaza, Khan-Younis and Rafah, participated in this study by completing a questionnaire, as well as 20 doctors and pharmacists were included in this study through key Informant Interviews. Limited expand Results: Participants' knowledge overall weighted mean was 62.25%, attitudes overall weighted mean was 67.75%, and practices overall weighted mean was 61.75%. Mid-age participants have the highest knowledge, most positive attitudes, and better practices toward antibiotics compared to younger and older age groups. Females have more positive attitudes (p-value .000) and better practices (p-value .021) than males. Participants with advanced education, have higher knowledge score (p-value .041). On the other hand, the participants received primary education or less have better practices about antibiotics compared to those have advanced education (p-value .017). The employee participants have the highest knowledge (p-value .000), most positive attitudes (p-value .000) and better practices (p-value .000) toward antibiotics. Participants who suffer from poverty and severe poverty have less knowledge (p-value .022) and lower practices score (p-value .045) than non-poor participants. Conclusion: The overall participants' knowledge, attitudes, practices towards antibiotics is relatively good, but they could be improved if educational programs conduct for both public people and health care providers with activation and applying for polices and regulations to regulate antibiotics prescriptions and purchasing.
- ItemSide Effects of COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccine among Al-Makassed Islamic Charitable Hospital Employees(Al-Quds University, 2024-02-14) Mohammad Hisham Mohammad Khallaf; محمد هشام محمد خلافSide effects of Covid-19 Vaccine among Al-Makassed Islamic Charitable Hospital Employees. Background: The BioNTech-Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine was given to the employees at Al-Makassed Hospital, at a time when the data on the side effects of the respective vaccine were very scarce. Therefore, in this research, we seek to examine the side effects that might be caused by the vaccine and its related complications, as experienced by the vaccinated employees at Al-Makassed Hospital. Study methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Al-Makassed Hospital, Participants’ prior consent was obtained. The data was collected through an online questionnaire and analyzed through the use of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Univariate and bivariate analysis was conducted to examine the study objectives. Result: The study examined 203 employees from Al-Makassed Hospital, investigating the side effects that they experienced post Covid-19 vaccination. Half of the sample were males, 44% were in the age group 20-30 years, and 60.6% hold a bachelor degree. The most common side effects were pain at the injection site (82.9%), and the least one was the erection problems (1.1%). Nausea presented a significant association with the female gender compared to male participants, and was more prevalent in those in the age group20-30 years old. Also, city of residence showed significant association with the following side effects: lymph node enlargement, syncope and allergic reactions after vaccination and city of residence. A significant association were found between rashes and participants with chronic diseases. Those with allergies reported general weakness more than those without such allergies. Syncope and diarrhea were reported more by participants using chronic medications. No association founded between post covid-19 vaccine and other vaccines. The study found a significant association between working in shifts and the following two covid-19 vaccine side effects: general weakness and cough. Nausea, cough, difficulty of breathing, low back pain and menstrual cycle changes, all these side effects were reported more by participants diagnosed with an infection of covid-19 post any dose of the vaccine. The study showed that pain in the injection site and muscle and joint pain were the most reported side effects following the first vaccine dose, pain in the injection site and general weakness were the most reported side effects post the second vaccine dose, and headache and pain in the injection site were the most reported following the third dose of the vaccine. (65.3%) of participants had similar side effects to those of their vaccinated family members. Majority of participants complained of side effects in less than 24 hours post vaccination. In terms of the duration of side effects, the majority (58.5%) lasted for three days. (59.6%) of the reported side effects were mild. (64.2%) received treatment as a result of vaccine side effects and (78.2%) responded well to treatment. Conclusion: The majority of vaccine side effects in this study, whether common or rare, are consistent across the board. Some correlations were found drawing, thus, a number of associations with common demographic factors such as gender, age and health status among others. The predominance of side effects appeared to be mild to moderate in severity, appearing within 24 hours following vaccination and lasting, for the most part, up to 48 hours, indicating that the vaccine itself is safe and effective, highlighting, therefore, the need for vaccination and enhancing people’s confidence toward the vaccine itself, as the virus still lurks around, not so much in disguise, as new variants of the virus have come out and spread globally with the virus still infecting people.