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EFFECT OF DAILY SEDATION INTERRUPTION PROTOCOL ON MECHANICAL VENTILATED PATIENTS OUTCOMES AT NABLUS CITY, PALESTINE: A RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
(An-Najah National University, 2026-06-17) Isra Bsharat
Background: Intravenous sedation and analgesia are a key component of the management of patients on mechanical ventilation (MV).excellent sedation and analgesia are required for critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation and good outcome However, there is evidence that cessation of these drugs on a daily basis is related with better outcomes in patients who are mechanically ventilated. Objective: To compare the effects of the Daily Sedation Interruption (DSI) protocol versus usual sedation care on the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), length of stay (LOS) in the ICU and hospital , hospital and ICU mortality, drug requirement and time to extubation in mechanically ventilated adult patients. Methods: A quantitative, retrospective observational study design was used. The study population included adult patients (≥18 years) admitted to the medical and surgical intensive care units at An-Najah National University Hospital (NNUH) who required invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling method, with 30 patients from each group matched based on clinical characteristics such as age, sex, and diagnosis. Data were extracted from patients’ medical records covering the period from 2017 to 2020. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the DSI and usual sedation groups in the evaluated clinical outcomes. The duration of mechanical ventilation was 6.86 days in the DSI group compared with 5.53 days in the usual sedation group (p = 0.973). ICU length of stay was comparable between groups (9.23 vs. 8.47 days; p = 0.077). Although ICU mortality was lower in the DSI group compared with usual sedation care (41% vs. 59%), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.081). The tracheostomy rate was also lower in the DSI group (37.5% vs. 62.5%), without statistical significance (p = 0.478). Hospital length of stay showed a trend toward reduction in the DSI group (9.43 vs. 13.03 days), although this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.077). Conclusion: In this cohort of mechanically ventilated critically ill adults, implementation of a DSI protocol was not associated with statistically significant improvements in mechanical ventilation duration, ICU length of stay, mortality, or tracheostomy rates compared with usual sedation care. However, the observed trends toward lower mortality and reduced tracheostomy rates suggest potential clinical benefits that warrant further investigation. Larger prospective multicenter studies with standardized sedation and weaning protocols are needed to identify patients most likely to benefit from DSI and to clarify its role within contemporary ICU sedation strategies.
THE IMPACT OF CYBERBULLYING ON PHUBBING BEHAVIOR AND THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SELF-EFFICACY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN PALESTINE
(An-Najah National University, 2026-04-30) Salam Nazzal
This study explores the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between cyberbullying and ignoring behavior among university students in Palestine. A descriptive-correlational quantitative design was used. Data were collected from a sample of 400 students from An-Najah National University, the Open University in Jerusalem, and Birzeit University using standardized self-report questionnaires. The analyses revealed that cyberbullying had a significant direct impact on ignoring behavior. Self-efficacy was found to be a significant partial mediator with an indirect effect. Furthermore, significant differences were found: males reported higher exposure to cyberbullying (M=2.48) compared to females (M=2.03), while females reported higher levels of self-efficacy (M=4.10) compared to males (M=3.78). Undergraduate students showed higher levels of ignoring behavior (M=2.71) compared to master's students (M=2.53). The study concludes that while cyberbullying directly promotes ignoring behavior, self-efficacy acts as a crucial protective factor that mitigates this relationship. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions in Palestinian universities focusing on enhancing students' self-efficacy and implementing programs to prevent cyberbullying, particularly concerning male students.
EVALUATION OF PALESTINIAN COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICE PATTERNS TOWARDS PROBIOTICS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY FROM PALESTINE.
(An-Najah National University, 2026-08-06) Hirbawi Rasha
ABSTRACT Background: Probiotics are living microorganisms that confer health benefits when consumed appropriately. In Palestine, the pharmaceutical market has experienced a significant increase in the availability and use of probiotics. Despite this growth, knowledge, attitudes, and practice patterns (KAP) towards probiotics among Palestinian community pharmacists have not been previously investigated. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the level of KAP towards probiotics among Palestinian community pharmacists, to identify factors affecting these domains, and to assess the perceived needs for additional education. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among licensed community pharmacists in the West Bank of Palestine between January and July 2025, following the STROBE guidelines. Data was collected using an online, self-administered questionnaire adapted from a validated tool by Ababneh and tailored to include additional clinical knowledge domains relevant to the Palestinian context. The questionnaire assessed knowledge (13 items; maximum score = 13) and attitudes (6 items; maximum score = 30, Cronbach’s alpha = 0.664). Clinical practice patterns were evaluated based on specific action-oriented statements within the attitude's domain. Convenience sampling yielded 386 participants. Non-parametric inferential analyses (Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman’s correlation) were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The study surveyed 386 Palestinian community pharmacists. The majority were female (64.2%) with more than 15 years of experience (29.5%). Community pharmacists showed a "Good" level of knowledge (81.6%; Median = 10.0, IQR: Q1 = 9.0, Q3 = 12.0). Among all demographic characteristics we examined, geographic location (City) was the only significant demographic variable (p = 0.023). Attitudes were highly positive (79.8%; Median = 24.0, IQR: Q1 = 21.0, Q3 = 26.0), and 79.5% of pharmacists were interested in more probiotic education. Regarding the clinical practice patterns, more than half of the pharmacists (56.2%) reported that they recommend probiotics without any concern. Spearman’s correlation between knowledge and attitude scores showed a weak positive relationship (r = 0.136, p = 0.008). Because of the absence of strain-specific clinical criteria, institutional practices depend mainly on general acceptance, despite the high clinical engagement. Conclusions: Palestinian community pharmacists made an effort to overcome the gap between their positive beliefs and their everyday practice, more than half of them translating these attitudes into actual recommendation intentions. Although the evidence supporting the use of probiotics continues to grow, a gap still exists between the available evidence and routine practice, as many dispensing practices are still not guided by standardized scientific evidence. There is a need for national clinical protocols and educational programs to improve these practices. This will enable pharmacists to recommend probiotics with more confidence. Keywords: Probiotics; Community Pharmacist; Knowledge; Attitude; Practice; Palestine.
EFFECTIVENESS OF GROUP COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY IN REDUCING BINGE EATING SYMPTOMS AND ENHANCING SELF-REGULATION AMONG ADULTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES IN JERUSALEM
(An-Najah National University, 2026-08-20) Nour Nabil Herbawi
This research was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapeutic Program (GCBTP) in alleviating the symptoms of binge eating, and reducing impulsivity while enhancing self-control, delay of gratification, and emotion regulation among adults with T2DM (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) in Jerusalem. A quasi-experimental approach with a control and treatment group was utilized. A total of eighteen adults T2DM participated, divided into two groups of nine subjects for the treatment group and the control group. The intervention involved a structured group-based CBT program aimed at changing unhealthy eating habits, impulsive responses, poor delay of gratification and deficits in emotion regulation accompanying binge eating. Four tests namely: Binge Eating Scale (BES), The Impulsivity and Self Control Scale (ISCS) and scales measuring delay of gratification and emotion regulation, were administered pre, post, and post follow-up to assess changes and effects for both groups. Results were encouraging and showed statistical significance between the Test 1 and the Test 2 for the treatment group for all measures. In other words, the treatment group’s rate of binge eating symptoms and impulsivity decreased, while their self-control, delay of gratification and emotion regulation ability increased between the beginning and the end of the treatment. Comparison between the two groups showed a superiority of the treatment group regarding these measures. The changes in binge eating symptoms, the subject matter of the present research, lasted for months after the treatment, and improvement in other measured characteristics maintained over time. It can be thus suggested that group CBT may be an effective form of treatment, particularly when psychological interventions are integrated into diabetes care to address patients’ behavioral patterns and emotional well-being.
الأحياء السكنية العشوائية في المناطق المصنفة (أ & ب) وقدرتها على الصمود في وجه الأخطار الطبيعية حالة دراسية: (ميثلون)
(An-Najah National University, 2026-08-18) ابراهيم لبيب احمد انعيرات ابراهيم لبيب احمد انعيرات
يهدف هذا البحث إلى دراسة وتحليل مخاطر البناء العشوائي من منظور مدى جاهزية الأبنية وقدرتها على مواجهة الأخطار الطبيعية، من خلال تقييم علاقة موقعها بالنسبة لمصادر هذه الأخطار ونوعيتها ومدى تأثيرها المحتمل على النسيج العمراني. إن التركيز بمثل هذه العلاقة يُعدّ بالغ الأهمية؛ إذ أن انتقاء الموقع المناسب للبناء، من حيث ملاءمة استعمال البناء مع تصنيف استخدامات الأراضي، وإدماجها مع دراسة التعرض للأخطار الطبيعية، يسهم في تحقيق نسيج عمراني مستدام وآمن للأفراد والمجتمع على حد سواء، ويشكل قاعدة تخطيط عمراني يخفض من المخاطر المحتملة ويدعم من جودة الحياة. كما يتناول البحث الأسباب التي تدفع المواطنين إلى عدم الالتزام بالمخططات التنظيمية، والتي غالبًا ما تؤدي إلى صياغة الأحياء العشوائية. وتم عرض الأسباب الاجتماعية والاقتصادية التي تساهم في تأزم ظاهرة البناء العشوائي، وتوضيح الآليات التي من دورها التقليل من هذه المشكلة. ومن خلال هذا السياق، تم صياغة تعريف جديد لمشكلة الأبنية العشوائية، والتي تُعرّف على أنها الأبنية التي لا تجاري متطلبات الترخيص الرسمية ولا تحمل أي موافقات من الجهات المختصة، سواء من حيث الموقع أو التصميم أو المواصفات الإنشائية.