Public Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding the Use of Antibiotics and Resistance: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study Among Palestinian Adults.

Antibiotics are considered to be among the most commonly sold drug classes in Palestine. Resistance to antibiotics has increased for reasons relating to the use and misuse of antibiotics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, and attitudes regarding antibiotic use and awareness about resistance among adults visiting the emergency departments at hospitals in North Palestine. A self-administered cross-sectional questionnaire survey involving participants aged 18 or over was conducted from June 2012 to February 2013. Adults who visited the emergency departments at hospitals in North Palestine were included. Demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes towards antibiotic use were included in the questionnaire. Poor and good knowledge were defined as a total knowledge score of 0-7 and 8-15 of 15 questions, respectively. Attitude scores of 0-3 and 4-7 of 7 questions were considered poor and good, respectively. A total of 375 questionnaires were included in the study. A response rate of 83.3% was attained. About 55.0% of the participants had a good knowledge and 56.5% had a good attitude towards rational antibiotic use. A significant positive correlation was shown between participants' knowledge scores and participants' attitude scores towards antibiotic use (R = 0.344, P = 0.001. Participants with a high family income were more likely to be aware of appropriate antibiotic use than participants with a low family income (P-value <0.001). Participants with a higher educational level (university) had a good attitude towards rational antibiotic use than those with a lower education level (P-value <0.001). This study has documented important knowledge and attitude gaps in antibiotic use. These findings will help health policymakers in Palestine to implement intervention programmes to rationalize antibiotic use. Continuing medical education, professional development and training workshops for healthcare professionals regarding rational use of antibiotics and health risks associated with the spread of antibiotic resistance are needed. In addition, minimizing non-prescription use of antibiotics and increasing the public awareness about the health and economic hazards of antibiotic resistance are also required.

Blood lead level among Palestinian schoolchildren: a pilot study.

In Palestine, chronic exposure to lead has not been adequately addressed as a problem for children. To assess the exposure of Palestinian schoolchildren, we surveyed blood lead levels in 3 schools in Nablus city and collected demographic and clinical data. Blood samples were collected from 178 children (140 boys, 38 girls), age range 6-8 years. The overall mean blood lead level was 3.2 (SD 2.4) microg/dL, and 4.5% of children had levels above 10 microg/dL. Blood lead levels were significantly higher among children living in refugee camps near industrial/high traffic regions than among children living in residential areas of the city. Blood lead levels were positively correlated with family size (r = 0.15) and negatively correlated with household area (r = -0.18). Blood lead levels among these Palestinian schoolchildren were higher than those of other countries where leaded gasoline has been banned and seemed to be higher in more economically deprived children.

Blood lead level among Palestinian schoolchildren: a pilot study

In Palestine, chronic exposure to lead has not been adequately addressed as a problem for children. To assess the exposure of Palestinian school children, we surveyed blood lead levels in 3 schools in Nablus city and collected demographic and clinical data. Blood samples were collected from 173 children [140 boys/38 girls], age range 6-8 years. The overall mean blood lead level was 3.2 [SD 2.4] microg/dL, and 4.5% of children had levels above 10 microg/dL Blood lead levels were significantly higher among children living in refugee camps near industrial high traffic regions than among children living in residential areas of the city. Blood lead levels were positively correlated with family size [r = 0.15] and negatively correlated with household area [r =0.18]. Blood lead levels among these Palestinian schoolchildren were higher than those of other countries where leaded gasoline has been banned and seemed to be higher in more economically deprived children

Utilization and cost of antibacterial drugs in 2 general surgery units in Palestine measured using anatomical therapeutic chemical classification and defined daily dose methodology

This study compared the utilization and cost of antibacterial agents in surgical units of 2 government hospitals in Palestine. The consumption and cost of drugs was estimated in the units over a 1-month period in 2010 using the anatomical therapeutic chemical classification and defined daily doses [DDD] per 100 bed-days. The total consumption of antibacterial agents was 414.1 DDD and 591.5 DDD at Thabet and Rafidia hospitals respectively. These corresponded to 133.6 DDD/100 bed-days and 162.2 DDD/100 bed-days respectively, figures that were higher than those reported in surgical units in many other countries. Total cost of antibacterial agents during the study period was 24 800 and 23 481 NIS for Rafidia and Thabet hospitals respectively. Approximately 11.2% and 18.0% of the total antibiotic DDD in Rafidia and Thabet hospitals were given to patients with clean surgeries in which antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated

Antibiotic resistance of bacterial strains isolated from patients with community-acquired urinary tract infections: an exploratory study in Palestine.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: No studies about resistance of bacteria isolated from patients with community-acquired urinary tract infections (CA-UTI) or local guidelines for antibiotic use in these infections have been published or established in the West Bank, Palestine. The objectives of this study were to determine the (1) type and frequency of isolated bacteria and (2) their resistance to commonly used antibiotics. METHODS: A cross sectional study on community urinary isolates was carried out in Nablus, Palestine between November 2009 and April 2010. A convenience sampling method was used for collection of specimens. RESULTS: A total of 375 specimens were collected from 306 (81.6%) females and 69 (18.4%) males. Three hundred and thirty nine (90.4%) of isolated uropathogens were Gram-negative bacteria, of which 243 (71.7%) were Escherichia coli. Thirty six (9.6 %) of the total isolates were Gram-positive bacteria, of which 21 (58.3%) were Staphylococcus saprophyticus. High resistance rates were recorded for E. coli against trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (37%), nitrofurantoin (29%), ampicillin (65%), and nalidixic acid (37%). E. coli showed low resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone with rates of 12.2, 17.2, 11.1, and 11.1% respectively. CONCLUSION: E. coli was the most frequent bacterium in the studied sample and showed high resistance to first-line antibiotics. Our results highlight the need for developing local guidelines where elevated resistance to antibiotics should influence prescribing decisions.