This study was undertaken to determine aetiology and prevalence of subclinical mastitis in manually and mechanically milked animals in the north of Palestine. Milk samples from animals with bacterial infection of the mammary gland showed significantly higher somatic cell count (SCC) than did the corresponding milk from healthy animals, which (1,420±100 X103 cells/ml; vs. 330±35 X103 cells/ml; 1650±155 X103 cells/ml vs. 490±40 X103 cells/ml; 520±50 X103 cells/ml vs. 140±25 X103 cells/ml) for ewes, goats and cows, respectively. The prevalence of bacterial isolation of the milk from goats (n = 25), sheep (n = 40) and cows («=220) from several major herds was determined. Culturing for bacteria revealed that 52 %, 72.5% and 59.1% of tested goats, sheep and cows had subclinical mastitis,
A total of 68 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from different human clinical samples in the North of Palestine were examined to detect staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) genes A (sea), B (seb), C (sec), D (sed) and (see). Of the total isolates examined, 41.2% (28/68) were enterotoxigenic S. aureus. Twelve strains (42.9%) of enterotoxigenic S. aureus harbored seagene, ten strains (35.7%) were carried see- gene, six strains (21.4%) were positive for sec-gene. None of these enterotoxigenic S. aureus isolates harbored more than one of toxin genes. The presence of these toxin genes and other genes not be detected here might play a role in process of pathogenesis of S. aureus disease other than food poisoning but this cannot be substantiated by the results of the present study
The absences or insufficient food control program result in the occurrence of mycotoxin in milk and milk products, which poses a serious risk for humans and can be a public health concern. This study was conducted to highlight the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in Palestine raw milk collected at farms from Tulkarm, Nablus and Jenin. Aflatoxin M1 was determined by direct competitive ELISA technique. 85 % (34 of 40) of the total examined raw milk samples tested were positive. The aflatoxin M1 contamination levels were between 3 - 80 ppt with a mean of 29.57 ppt. There was a high incidence rate with 92 % (11 of 12) and the highest means of contaminated with aflatoxin M1 in the samples tested in Tulkarm city (P ≤ 0.05). 20 % of the analyzed samples (8 of 40) exceeded the maximum permissible limit (50 ppt) in European Codex, with a range of 2 - 80 ppt.
Background: Intra uterine device (IUD) is one of the most popular methods of contraception among Palestinian women. Reproductive Tract Infection (RTI) is one of the main problems associated with IUD use. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between RTI related symptoms &IUD use. Methods: We interviewed two hundred women (134 IUD users and 66 non-IUD users) from Ministry of Health (MOH) family planning (FP) clinics in Northern West Bank/Palestine. A questionnaire about RTI related symptoms was filled, then cervical swab samples were collected & cultured for aerobic bacteria. A scoring system for vaginal discharge symptoms and overall RTI related symptoms was developed, all data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: High number (87%) of women in the study reported vaginitis or RTI symptoms. There was a significant difference in alteration of vaginal discharge (P=0.003), and presence of RTI related symptoms (P=0.000) among IUD users in comparison to non-users. However there was no statistically significant relationship between alteration of vaginal discharge and type of isolated bacteria (P=0.266), nor was a relation between RTI related symptoms and IUD type (P=0.568). Conclusion: Vaginitis and RTI are common problems among women in Palestine, with a high association between IUD use and these types of infection. A protocol for diagnosis and treatment needs to be developed by MOH and other health organizations in Palestine.
Palestine has a Mediterranean climate which is characterized by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool, rainy winters. The total area of the West Bank is about 6 million donums (1 donum = 0.1 hectare), of which 30% is cultivated, while the total area of the Gaza Strip is 365,000 donums, of which 55% is cultivated. Date palm is cultivated in a small area in the West Bank (about 500 donums in Jericho) and 2,200 donums in Gaza. The total annual production of date palm in those areas is 3,000 tons. This amount is about 10% of the dates consumed in the West Bank and Gaza. Most of the date palms planted in Jericho are grown from seeds and called Baladi. These trees produce different fruit sizes and colours with high genetic diversity. Some of these trees are also old (more than 50 years) therefore their ability to produce offshoots has been reduced. New cultivars which have been established in the area (‘Medjool’, ‘Barhee’ and ’Deglet Nour’) proved to grow well under Jericho conditions. In Gaza, 90% of date trees are of ’Hayani’ variety, while the rest 10% are of other varieties. Among the difficulties facing date palm culture in Jericho and Gaza are : (i) the limited amount of water available for agriculture; (i) fertilization and pollination problems; (iii) the lack of genetic diversity, especially in Gaza; (¡v) the lack of good propagation systems; and (v) the lack of comprehensive planning for the agricultural sector in Gaza and Jericho
Primary objective: The eruption of
Al-Aqsa Intifada created a war situation in Palestine, increasing the
number of firearms injuries caused by occupying Israeli forces as well
as disabling head injuries. No data were available to the Palestinian
Ministry of Health and other health organizations on traumatic brain
injury (TBI) in Palestine. This study, therefore, sought to determine
the causes and outcomes of TBI in patients who were admitted to three
hospitals in Nablus, Palestine.
Research design: Retrospective review of medical records and contacts with patients and/or caregivers.
Methods and procedures: The medical records of patients who were diagnosed with TBI (n
= 312) and admitted to any one of the three hospitals in 2006 and 2007
were reviewed. Data were also obtained from follow-up home visits and
telephone calls with consenting patients and/or caregivers.
Main outcomes and results:
The major causes of TBI were assault (33%), falls (32.1%), road traffic
crashes (29.8%) and impacts from heavy objects (3.2%). Gunshot wounds
are a major cause of head injury in Palestine.
Conclusions:
The study shows that assault with firearms is the most frequent cause
of TBI in this population and that patients with head injuries due to
assault have poorer outcomes at discharge than those injured in other
ways.
Objective : The objectives of the
study were to identify the rate of using hair dyes among Palestinian women,
preferences, motivations and attitudes towards
their use.
Methods: A cross - sectional study was conducted
between May and July 2011. A self - admi nistered questionnaire was used .
Results:
Among 200 females interviewed , 149
(74.5%) said that they used hair dyes.
Their reasons were to hide gray hair in 35 (23.5%), to improve the outlook in 36 (24.2%), and to change and
to follow the new trends in 78 (52.3%). Natural dye s (henna) were the choice
for 38.9% . The main reason behind the
preference o f natural dyes was the belief they are safe r than chemical dyes.
A small percentage used hair dyes during pregnancy, and 21.5% thought that hair dyes may cause
cancer.
Conclusion: Use of hair dye is
very common among females. The public
should be informed about the risks associated with excessive hair dye use. Women
should understand that natural dyes such
as henna are not completely free from
side effects. It is important to include information on the ingredients
on hair coloring packs and mention possibl e side effects of both chemical and natural hair dyes .
Intra uterine device (IUD) is the most popular method of contraception among Palestinian women. It is one of the very effective contraceptive methods with very small failure rate. Infection has been the main problem that faces women using IUD all over the world. The aim of this study is to explore the epidemiological pattern of aerobic bacterial infections among IUD users in Northern West Bank /Palestine. A study sample included two hundred women (134 IUD users and 66 non-IUD users) from MOH (Ministry of Health) FP (family planning) clinics. These women were randomly selected, interviewed, then cervical swabs were collected and cultured for aerobic bacteria, all data were analyzed using SPSS software. The study results showed overall significant higher rate of isolated bacteria among IUD users compared to non-users (P value < 0.05), with a significant relationship between infection and the type of IUD. However there was no overall significance in relation to duration of use (P value > 0.05). More than 50% of the positive culture results were predominant bacteria, and some 40% were potentially pathogenic. ? Hemolytic streptococcus was the most frequent of the former and E. Coli of the latter. Overall the study results were consistent with the current literature.
Background: Inhalant allergic
conditions such as seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis are becoming quite
common. The effect of allergy on an
individual’s quality of life and the extent to which it may restrict daily
activities is often overlooked. Controlling
allergies can significantly decrease health care cost. The purpose of this
study is to estimate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis among young adults in Palestine represented by
An- Najah University students.
Methods: The
study sample consisted of around 1000 (52% females, & 48% males) randomly
selected students from all colleges of the University. Data were collected through structured
interview including questionnaire filling. All data were analysed using SPSS
program applying Chi-square test, with
95 % level of significant (P value = 0.05).
Results: Allergic rhinitis prevalence rate was 3.1 and
the percentage of patients who reported to have allergic rhinitis was 38.1%;
there was no statistically significant
association between allergic rhinitis and gender, smoking, place of living, and
other housing conditions. On the other
hand the relationship between allergic rhinitis and weight loss, deep sleeping,
chronic respiratory infections, nasal polyps, anxiety, and sleep apnoea was a statistically significant
relationship (p value < 0.05). The triggers that have a large effect on the
health of the population sample for
allergic rhinitis were respiratory infections, tyre burning and war gases,
house dust, strong odours, auto exhaust, smoke and weather changes (49.7%, 49 .1 %, 46.7%, 40.6
%, 33.9%, 33.8%, 34.2%), respectively.
Conclusion: Results show relatively lower allergic rhinitis
prevalence in Palestine compared to some neighbouring countries, but were consistent with studies done in Turkey. The
results confirmed the strong relationship of Allergic Rhinitis and respiratory
infections and Asthma
This study was carried out during January and February 2002 in Al- Ein Refugee Camp in Nablus city in Palestine. Interviews were held with 150 women of different age groups and different marital status. The results show a positive relationship between women's physical and mental health and housing conditions. There is a statistically significant relationship between the family size represented by the number of children in the household, the number of children that sleep in one room, and the number of children that sleep in one bed, the house size, and number of rooms and women's feeling of privacy (mental health and well-being). Most of the houses in the camp are unhealthy and overcrowded. The family income is very low and there is a general poor health status of women in the camp. Most of the women do not know the conditions of a healthy house. The study shows the importance of housing reforms on the health of the family in general and women's health in particular, mainly in refugee camps.