Health risk behaviours of Palestinian youth: findings from a representative survey

Background: There is little systematic information about health risk behaviours among youth in Middle Eastern countries, leaving public health authorities unprepared to deal with emerging public health threats at a time of major social change. Aim: The Palestinian Youth Health Risk study investigates patterns of risk behaviours among Palestinian youth, their perceptions of the risks and benefits of such behaviours, and the relationship of exposure to violence with mental health and engagement in risk behaviours. Methods: We conducted a representative survey among 2500 individuals aged 15–24 years in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, permitting reliable comparison across sex and rural–urban divisions. A stratified 2-stage random sample was drawn from the 2007 population census, with strata formed by crossing the 12 governorates with urban, rural and refugee camp locations. Within strata, 208 survey clusters were sampled with probability proportional to size. Within each cluster, 14 households with youth of the appropriate age were sampled. Results: Among youth aged 20–24 years, 22.4% of males and 11.6% of females reported trying alcohol; 10.5% of males and 4.3% of females reported trying drugs. Almost one quarter of unmarried youth aged 20–24 years reported any sexual experience. Tobacco use is high, even among younger youth [45.4% of males and 21.2% of females aged 15–19 smoke]. Risk behaviours are higher among males, older youth and in urban areas and refugee camps. Conclusion: While smoking is of particular concern, prevention outreach for all behaviours should be directed at subgroups and areas identified as highest risk

Salpingographie selective et recanalisation tubaire transcervicale technique, indications, resultats

The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of selective salpingography and fallopian tube recanalization as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure when proximal tubal obstruction is present. Fifty-three procedures were performed between January 95 and March 98 in the Radiology Department of HoteI-Dieu de France Hospital, on 53 infertile women aged between 25 and 43 years. Unilateral or bilateral obstruction was documented on hysterosalpingogram or by laparoscopy. The technique consisted of a direct fallopian tube catheterization, under fluoroscopy using an hydrophilic guidewire. Water soluble contrast material was used. Eighty-eight tubes were evaluated [35 with bilateral and 10 with unilateral obstruction, 8 single tubes]. Recanalization was possible in 52 cases [97.5%].Twenty-nine patients were followed. Thirteeen pregnancies were reported [45%]. This pregnancy rate is however increased to 62% if we exclude the cases where other infertility problems coexisted. No complications occurred. Selective salpingography and fallopian tube catheterization is a non invasive successful technique that is extremely useful in the diagnosis and treatment of tubal obstruction in women with infertility problems. It can be performed immediately after an hysterosalpingogram when the fallopian tubes are not opacified