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Lung Function and Respiratory Health of Populations Living Close to Quarry Sites in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT: Environmental exposure to dust from quarrying activities could pose health dangers to the population living nearby. This study aimed to investigate the health effects of dust exposure on people living close to quarry sites and compared them with those who live far from the quarry sites. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 79 exposed participants, who lived less than 500 m away from the quarry sites, and 79 control participants who lived more than 500 m away. All participants answered a questionnaire on dust exposure at home and health effects, as well as performed a lung function test in which both reported and measured health effects were investigated. People who live in close proximity to the quarry sites reported exposure to dust at home (98%), land destruction (85%), plant leaves covered with dust (97%), and an inability to grow crops (92%). The exposed group reported significantly higher eye and nasal allergy (22% vs. 3%), eye soreness (18% vs. 1%), and dryness (17% vs. 3%), chest tightness (9% vs. 1%), and chronic cough (11% vs. 0%) compared to the control group. Lung function parameters were significantly lower among the exposed group compared to the control group; mean forced vital capacity (FVC) was 3.35 L vs. 3.71 L (p = 0.001), mean forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) was 2.78 L vs. 3.17 L (p = 0.001). Higher levels of airway restriction were found among the exposed group. Among the exposed group, lung function parameters worsened with the increasing closeness of home to the quarry site. This study demonstrates the negative health effects of environmental dust exposure among two communities living near quarry sites in Palestine. The results highlight the importance of developing and strictly enforcing rules and regulations in Palestine to protect population health.

SUBMITTER: Nemer M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7504702 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Nutrition plays a key role in oral and dental health. Similarly, oral health affects nutrition status and diet intake. Consumption of much cariogenic nutrients such as sugar affects dental and gum health. The awareness of dietary practices that affect the oral health is an essential component in the dental care system. The knowledge of the dietary factors that affect the oral health is a major component in the treatment plan. In this vein, this study was conducted to determine the level of awareness of nutrition information affecting oral health among dental patients who visit the private and university dental clinics in West Bank, Palestine. A total of 169 patients were invited to join the study and signed the consent form. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect the required data which included patients' sociodemographics, medical history, oral care practices, dietary practices, and oral health-related nutritional awareness. Face and content validity were verified, followed by a pilot study to determine the questionnaire reliability alpha, and the data were collected from October to November 2018. The Construct Validation was done using the Rasch measurement model, and the descriptive statistical analysis was done to determine the level of awareness and the difference among the groups using SPSS version 21. The total mean score of the nutrition awareness was (9.3?±?2.8), with higher level of nutrition awareness among females, and the highest score was 16 out of 17. The good oral health condition was reported among 44%, fair 32%, poor 16%, and bad 10% while excellent oral health was reported among only 5% of the participants. There was no significant relationship between level of nutritional awareness with economic status, level of education, or area of living. For oral health, females showed significantly better oral and gum health levels (p < 0.05). The overall level of nutrition knowledge among the participants is insufficient. These results point to the need for oral health and nutrition educational courses and programs to improve oral and nutritional awareness and knowledge among Palestinian people and dental patients in particular. Improving the dietary habits and oral practices with lifestyle changes should also be encouraged.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Both diabetes and hemodialysis can seriously impair patients' health related quality of life (HRQOL). This study seeks to obtain data which will help to address the factors associated with impaired HRQOL in hemodialysis patients with diabetes in Palestine. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was performed in multiple centers in the period from November 2016 to June 2017. We utilized the Arabic version of EuroQoL 5 Dimensions 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L) scale and EuroQol-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) to measure patients' HRQOL. The study was conducted in six dialysis centers in the North of West Bank, Palestine. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used to describe clinical and socio-demographic features of patients. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the association between clinical and socio-demographic factors and HRQOL score. RESULTS:One hundred and forty one diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis were enrolled in our study. Overall, 52.5% of them (74 patients) were males; the patients had a mean age of 60.32 with 52.5% of them aged below 60. The mean ± standard deviation of EQ-5D-5L index and EQ-VAS score was 0.314 ± 0.4 and 50.85±22.43, respectively. The findings of this study suggest that female patients, uneducated patients, unemployed patients, unmarried patients, and patients with more chronic diseases and comorbidities had a significant poor HRQOL scores (p values <0.05). Variables such as marital status and occupational status were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the QOL score. More specifically, married status and employed patients positively associated with QOL score (? = 0.22; p = 0.016 and ? = 0.27; p = 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:Among diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis, married status and being employed were associated with modestly higher scores of QOL. We recommend that healthcare providers give more attention to diabetic dialysis patients who are unemployed and unmarried, as they are at a higher risk of having impaired HRQOL.

Project description:IntroductionOvarian cancer (OC) is often diagnosed at advanced stages. This study aimed to assess the Palestinian women's knowledge about OC symptoms and determine the factors associated with having good knowledge.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2019 to March 2020 in the two main areas of Palestine: the West Bank and Jerusalem as well as the Gaza Strip. A translated-into-Arabic version of the validated OC awareness measure (OCAM) was utilized for data collection. Stratified convenience sampling was used to recruit adult women attending hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces at 11 governorates. The knowledge level was categorized into three categories based on the number of symptoms recognized: poor (0 to 4), fair (5 to 8), and good (9 to 11).ResultsOf 6095 approached, 5618 participants completed the Arabic OCAM (response rate = 92.1%).A total of 5411 questionnaires were included in the analysis: 2278 from the Gaza Strip and 3133 from the West Bank and Jerusalem. Participants living in the West Bank and Jerusalem were older, of higher monthly income, and with more chronic diseases than those living in the Gaza Strip. The most frequently identified symptoms were 'extreme generalized fatigue' (n = 3821, 70.6%), 'unexplained weight loss' (n = 3607, 66.7%), and 'increased abdominal size on most days' (n = 3252, 60.1%). On the other hand, the least recognized symptoms were 'feeling full persistently' (n = 1553, 28.7%) and 'difficulty eating on most days' (n = 1971, 36.4%). Only 943 participants (17.4%) displayed good knowledge of OC symptoms. Participants from the Gaza Strip had a higher likelihood than participants from the West Bank and Jerusalem to have a good level of knowledge (21.0% vs. 14.8%). Being married, knowing someone with cancer, and visiting hospitals were all associated with a higher likelihood of having good knowledge level. However, living in the West Bank and Jerusalem was associated with a lower likelihood of having good knowledge.ConclusionThe overall knowledge of OC symptoms in this study was low. Educational interventions are needed to improve Palestinian women's knowledge about OC symptoms.

Project description:BackgroundFood serves as a vehicle for many pathogenic and toxigenic agents that cause food-borne diseases. Knowledge, attitude, and practices are key factors in reducing the incidence of food-borne diseases in food service areas. The main objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge, attitude, and practices related to food poisoning among parents of children in Nablus, Palestine.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in primary healthcare centers in Nablus district from May to July 2015. Data were collected using structured questionnaire interviews with parents to collect information on food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices, alongside sociodemographic characteristics.ResultsFour-hundred and twelve parents were interviewed, 92.7% were mothers. The median knowledge score was 12.0 with an interquartile range (IQR) of 11.0-14.0. The median attitude score was 11.0 with IQR of 10.0-13.0, while the median practice score was 18.0 with IQR of 16.0-19.0. Significant modest positive correlations were found between respondents' knowledge and attitude scores regarding food poisoning (r?=?0.24, p?<?0.001), knowledge and practice scores regarding food poisoning (r?=?0.23, p?<?0.001), and attitude and practice scores regarding food poisoning (r?=?0.30, p?<?0.001). Respondents with a higher education level and who live in a city were the only factors significantly associated with higher knowledge scores (p?<?0.05). Attitude improved as educational level increased (p?<?0.05) and income level increased (p?<?0.05). Those of female gender and employed were statistically significantly associated with higher satisfactory hygienic practices in relation to the prevention of food poisoning (p?<?0.05).ConclusionsKnowledge, attitude, and practices regarding food poisoning prevention are associated with each other and are affected by a complex interplay between socio-economic variables. The study highlights the need for health education programmes and general awareness campaigns that intend not only to enhance knowledge but also promote parents to practice food safety measures strictly and further strengthen their awareness level.

Project description:BackgroundThe use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing worldwide. To the best of knowledge, there is a lack of studies that assess CAM use by Palestinian women during pregnancy. This research aims to determine the prevalence of Palestinian women's use of CAM during pregnancy, the most frequently used CAM products during the pregnancy period, the main sources that encourage the use of CAM among pregnant women, and the causes of CAM use.MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Palestine using a questionnaire from April 2018 to March 2019. The samples were selected by convenience sampling, including currently pregnant or previously pregnant women in the Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) clinic at Rafedia Hospital and in primary health care clinics in Nablus city-Palestine. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic variables, health status, types and frequency of CAM used, patients' sources of information, causes of their usage, attitudes, and beliefs.ResultsFour hundred currently or previously pregnant women participated. Three hundred fifty-five (91.5%) used at least one method of CAM during pregnancy. Most women used at least one method of biologically-based therapies during pregnancy (87.7%). One hundred and one pregnant women (26.7%) utilised at least one type of herb during pregnancy. The most-reported herb used by 12.3% of participants was anise. Of the mind-body therapies, prayer was the most commonly used method during pregnancy (8.3%). Two hundred and sixty-one (65.3%) participants used CAM because they believed CAM was not harmful to them or their babies during pregnancy. Participants gained most of their information about CAM from their families (43.8%) and friends (24.3%). Approximately two-thirds of participants (64.0%) thought that obstetricians should be able to advise on commonly used CAM.ConclusionsDuring pregnancy, CAM products are commonly used, and it is important to determine what types are being used by women in Palestine. These findings supplement the body of knowledge on the use of CAM by pregnant women. Pregnancy care providers need to be aware to the familiar types of CAM that women use.

Project description:BackgroundAccurate knowledge and good pain evaluation and documentation practices should be present for efficient pain management. In this study, we aimed to assess the knowledge and practices of nurses relating to the management of cancer pain in Palestine, and to determine the barriers to efficient pain control in cancer patients.MethodsA cross-sectional survey took place at 8 hospitals across Northern West Bank. A convenience sample of 220 Nurses working in governmental and private hospitals in West Bank/Palestine was studied. For that purpose, a questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge, practices, perceived barriers, and delaying processes relating to cancer pain management (CPM).ResultsIn total, 220 questionnaires were completed with a response rate of 88%. Participants' mean age was 30.34?years. Overall, 69.5% worked in governmental hospitals, 26.8% worked in the private sector and the remainder worked in both governmental and private sectors. The correct response rate to questions that assess knowledge relating to cancer pain control was calculated and a mean knowledge score was found to be 5.1 with a standard deviation of 2.1. A relationship between the knowledge score and the sample characteristics was made and showed that males scored significantly higher (p?=?0.001) than females with median scores of 6 [4-7] and 5 [3-6] for males and females, respectively. Inadequate pain assessment (76.8%), insufficient knowledge of pain control (70.5%) and strict regulation on opioid use (69.5%) were the most frequently perceived barriers. Nurses reported that they would assess pain on every round and check all items related to pain assessment. Contacting the physician for the prescription of opioids was cited as the main delaying process by 56.4% of participants.ConclusionsThis study allowed us to recognise the knowledge deficit and the barriers to effective management. On the other hand, the analysis has shown good pain documentation practices among nurses. Those knowledge deficits demonstrate the need for more education about CPM. The improvement of coordination and communication between physicians and nurses seems to play a crucial role in CPM, as contacting physicians was cited as the most delaying process in CPM by nurses.

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Lung Function and Respiratory Health of Populations Living Close to Quarry Sites in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study.

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