Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward blood donation in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

Aims: Both developing and developed countries are facing difficulties in finding regular donors. In areas that are exposed to frequent conflicts and wars, such as the Gaza Strip, there is a need for a continuous blood supply. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward blood donation in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022, in which 1506 participants were randomly selected from different governorates in the Gaza Strip. A structured and valid questionnaire was employed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward blood donation. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 28. The chi-square test was used to measure the significance of associations. Results: A total of 1506 individuals living in the Gaza Strip participated. The total mean score of the overall knowledge and positive attitudes toward blood donation was 55.1% and 67.1%, respectively. Furthermore, 1236 (82.1%) of the study participants never donated blood. Of them, 260 (21.0%) demonstrated that they do not have information on when, where, and how to donate; 228 (18.4%) thought that they were not fit to donate; 187 (15.1%) demonstrated that they did not have time to donate; 143 (11.6%) feared health problems, and 132 (10.7%) feared anemia. On the contrary, 99 (36.7%) donated blood when a friend or relative needed blood, and 171 (63.3%) were voluntary donations. Statistically, a significant association was found between knowledge, attitudes, practices, and sociodemographic variables (p < 0.05 for all). Discussion: The study findings indicated poor donation habits despite positive attitudes toward blood donation in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. This research emphasizes the need to recognize and correct the knowledge gap that results in unfavorable behaviors against blood donation.

Assessment of serum, dietary zinc levels, and other risk factors during the third trimester among pregnant women with and without pregnancy-induced hypertension: a case-control study.

Background: This study assessed serum, dietary zinc levels, and other risk factors during the third trimester among pregnant women with and without pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Methods: This case-control study was conducted in 2022, in the three main Obstetrics and Gynecology departments in Gaza Strip, Palestine. One hundred sixty pregnant women, during the third trimester, aged ≥20 years, were selected using a convenient sampling method. Data were obtained using an interview-based questionnaire, food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric measures, and biochemical tests. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24. Results: The participants' mean age was 30.7 ± 5.6 years. A total of 47 (58.8%) of cases and 6 (7.5%) of controls were insufficiently active; and the mean of blood pressure (mmHg) was 133.3 ± 11.9/85.11 ± 10.0 for cases and 112.8 ± 9.5/68.02 ± 7.2 for controls with significant differences between the two groups (P = <0.005). The mean serum zinc level (µg/dl) was 67.15 ± 16.5 for cases and 68.45 ± 18.0 for controls without significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.636). For newborns, the mean birth weight (g) was 2,904.6 ± 486 for cases, and 3,128.3 ± 501 for controls, and the mean Apgar score was 8.03 ± 0.62 for cases and 8.30 ± 1.17 for controls, with significant differences between the two groups (P = <0.005). Furthermore, 43 (53.8%) of cases have family history of hypertension; 5 (6.2%) were primiparous; 19 (23.8%) have previous caesarian section; 33 (41.2%) have history of preeclampsia; and 62 (77.5%) have edema, with significant differences between the two groups (P = <0.005). Additionally, the total zinc dietary daily intake (mg/day) was 4.15 ± 2.10 for cases and 4.88 ± 3.02 for controls, with significant differences between the two groups (P = 0.041). After adjustment for confounding variables, participants in the case group have higher odds of having low total zinc dietary intake compared to those in the control group [OR = 1.185, 95% CI = (1.016-1.382), P = 0.030]. Conclusion: The current study showed the main risk factors of PIH among pregnant women in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Furthermore, low maternal dietary zinc intake was associated with a high level of PIH. Moreover, having PIH could increase the risk of low birth weight and low Apgar scores. Therefore, reducing the main risk factors of PIH could reduce the adverse effect on both mother and birth outcomes.

Do Patients with Major Non-Communicable Diseases Receive Advice on Health Behaviors from Healthcare Professionals in the Gaza Strip, Palestine?

BACKGROUND: NCDs tend to be long-term and are caused by genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors. Currently, NCDs account for 71% of deaths globally. The current study aimed to explore whether patients with NCDs receive advice on health behaviors from healthcare professionals in the PHCs in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. METHODS: This research applied a cross-sectional survey design in five PHCs from October 2019 to December 2019, with 360 patients selected using a convenience sampling technique. A structured questionnaire on sociodemographic, history and patients' views on receiving advice on health behaviors from health care professionals was developed and collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive analyses and a One-way ANOVA test through SPSS-v22. RESULTS: The patients reported receiving advice as follows: in terms of regular physical activity (54.5% ±13.6), in terms of eating a heart-healthy diet (49.3% ±11.5), in terms of treatment adherence (86.1% ±8.1), and in terms of stop tobacco for smokers' patients (43.9% ±16.8). Statistically significant differences were found between the five Gaza strip governorates in terms of regular physical activity, eating heart-healthy, and treatment adherence (P values <.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Participants claimed that the vast majority of them had received advice from healthcare professionals regarding attending regular follow-up and treatment adherence. In contrast, participants reported receiving advice from health care professionals regarding regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet, and stopping tobacco are suboptimal. There is a need to develop a strategy to ensure that healthcare professionals are committed to providing advice on health behaviors.

The fear of COVID-19 outbreak among health care professionals in Gaza Strip, Palestine.

INTRODUCTION: The emergence of the COVID-19 and its consequences has led to fears, worries, and anxiety among individuals, particularly among healthcare professionals. The present study aimed to assess the fear of COVID-19 among different healthcare professionals in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. METHODS: A cross-sectional, snowball sampling technique and an online questionnaire were employed among healthcare professionals. A total of 300 participants completed the questionnaire. The validated fear of COVID-19 Scale Arabic version was used. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: The sample fear mean score was 17.53 ± 5.78; more than half of the study participants (54.3%) consider it as low levels of fear and 45.7% of the participants consider it as high levels of fear. Statistically significant differences were found between males and females, and different healthcare professional's disciplines. Females have a higher mean score compared to males. The highest fear mean scores were found among Lab-Technicians (20.19 ± 7.42), followed by X-ray-Technicians (17.95 ± 3.96), Nurses (17.1 ± 5.55), and Physicians (16.25 ± 4.66). CONCLUSION: The fear of COVID-19 was high among female healthcare professionals compared to males, as well as, among Lab-Technicians compared to Physicians and Nurses. There is a need to establish a strategy to continues measuring the psychological effect of COVID-19 among healthcare professionals especially females.

Effects of Ramadan fasting on anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and lipid profile among hypertensive patients in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

OBJECTIVE: This study was employed to assess the effects of Ramadan fasting on anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and lipid profile among hypertensive patients. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample, which was selected using a census survey of hypertensive patients (both gender, aged 25-50 years, on regular antihypertensive drugs (atenolol: 50 mg orally once a day)), during Ramadan month that was falling in April to May 2020. The patients were receiving care at Halabja hospital in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. All patients were assessed in two phase's baseline (a week before Ramadan) and end stage (a week after Ramadan), using anthropometric indices, physical examination, biochemical tests, and a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21. RESULTS: A total of 120 hypertensive patients were included in the study (50% females and 50% males), with a mean age of 37.5 ± 6.6 years. The major finding of our study was the significant decrease in blood pressure (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference of the participants decreased after Ramadan fasting in a significant approach (P < 0.001 for all). However, for the lipid profile components, the total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol change persisted not statistically significant (P > 0.05), while only triglyceride decreased drastically after Ramadan fasting (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ramadan fasting could contribute in the improvement of blood pressure and lowers triglyceride levels, body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference of adult hypertensive patients.