Medical and Health Sciences
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
- ItemFAMILY CLIMATE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO PERSONALITY DISORDERS AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN JERUSALEM: A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY(An-Najah National University, 2026-01-29) Abukhdair, NarmeenThe primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between family climate and personality disorders among adolescents in Jerusalem. The study also investigated the influence of demographic factors such as gender, age, birth order, place of residence, parental educational level, and monthly family income on the levels of family climate and personality disorders. A mixed-methods research design was employed, combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches. In the quantitative phase, 150 adolescents were recruited using convenience sampling, while in the qualitative phase, 16 adolescents were purposively selected based on extremely high or low scores on family climate and personality disorder scales. Data were collected using standardized instruments and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative results revealed a strong positive correlation between an unhealthy family climate and personality disorders. Regression analysis indicated that fake parental love (β = .38, p < .001) and enmeshed family system (β = .34, p < .001) were the strongest predictors of personality disorders, particularly psychoticism (R² = .41, F(2,198) = 67.21, p < .001). Adolescents reported moderate levels of unhealthy family climate (M = 2.85, SD = 0.64), with dehumanization being the highest indicator (M = 3.21). Personality disorder traits were also at a moderate level, with the highest scores in impulsivity, anxiety, hostility, intimacy avoidance, and disinhibition. Independent samples t-test showed no significant gender differences, while ANOVA results indicated significant differences in personality disorders by age and birth order, but not by other demographic variables. Qualitative findings (interviews) showed that family climate directly influences personality development, emotional expression, conflict resolution, and social behavior. Two major themes emerged: healthy families were characterized by emotional support, effective communication, and empowerment, which enhanced self-confidence, resilience, and pro-social skills; unhealthy families were marked by criticism, neglect, rigid hierarchies, and favoritism, leading to insecurity, loneliness, and maladaptive behaviors. Based on these findings, the study recommends the development of family-based intervention programs aimed at addressing negative dimensions of family climate, such as dehumanization, enmeshment, and emotional detachment. Such programs should focus on building trust, ensuring emotional safety, and strengthening supportive family bonds, thereby reducing the risk of personality disorders among adolescents and improving overall family well-being.
- ItemCOPING STRATEGIES, BURNOUT, AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH SYMPTOMS OF SOME MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS AMONG HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AT THE MAKASSED HOSPITAL IN JERUSALEM(Al Najah National University, 2026-01-29) Abu Ghalia, RazanThe healthcare professionals are often subjected to stress by the workloads they have, constant exposure to distress and the emotional nature of their jobs. These problems make them more likely to have mental health problems, including burnout, anxiety, and depression. These problems can become much more acute in the Palestinian context, where the healthcare system tends to act in harsh and constrained conditions. This paper has discussed burnout and psychological distress rates among healthcare professionals in Jerusalem, Palestine. It also examined how they solve problems and how the methods are connected to their mental wellbeing. It employed a descriptive cross sectional design which collected the data through self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions about the demographic data and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). A coping scale and the Depression anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21). The findings revealed that a significant percentage of healthcare providers were affected by burnout especially emotional burnout. The research also determined that various individuals and occupations had diverse stress management styles. Problem- oriented individuals showed fewer cases of burnout and the stress, anxiety and depression symptoms were more pronounced among individuals who employed avoidance or emotion-based coping strategies. The outcomes demonstrate the significance of the improved support in the workplace and the programs that assist healthcare professionals to learn how to cope with health issues and preserve their mental condition.
- ItemPHARMACOLOGICAL PROFILING OF ILLICIT DRUGS IN THE WEST BANK (2020–2024): CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, DEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATIONS, AND SOCIETAL TRENDS (2020-2024)(An-Najah National University, 2026-02-11) Hindi, MohammadBackground: The increased consumption of drugs in the West Bank is a major health risk to the community, especially with raise reports of drugs made locally that may contain some unknown components. Very little knowledge about the drug composition and additives makes it almost impossible to calculate their health risks. Identification and categorization of these substances are the first steps toward understanding their adverse health effects. In addition, the study of changes over time and the patterns of co-occurrence is important to be able to identify new drugs and changes in drug use habits. Objectives: The aim is to identify and classify the illegal drugs, adulterants, and cutting agents using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis conducted in the Forensic Laboratory Department (FLD) in the West Bank during 2020-2024. Besides that, it looks at changes over time, new substances, and combinations of substances. Methodology: The data is based on GC-MS analyses of narcotic samples that were done in the FLD. All illegal drugs, adulterants, and cutting agents were identified and classified according to international standards, and patterns of their co-occurrence were also analyzed. Results: After the examination of 3,340 drug samples seized, a total of 68 illicit substances were found and divided into four categories. The largest group was cannabinoids with 2,185 samples (65.42%); nevertheless, their dominance has slowly reduced. The phenethylamine derivatives and miscellaneous central nervous system (CNS) active substances came next, both showing significant increases. Even though opioids were found at relatively low frequencies, their presence was doubled. Furthermore, 82 adulterants and cutting agents were found, with caffeine, diphenhydramine, and paracetamol being the most frequent. The existence of combinations involving two, three, and four substances was also recorded. Conclusions: The substances were classified into four main groups, with cannabis being the most prevalent, with an increase in phenethylamine derivatives and miscellaneous CNS active substances. Individual substances constituted a large proportion, along with the presence of combination patterns and adulterants substance, indicating the evolving complexity of the market and the presence of local manufacturing. These findings paint a clear picture of the drug market in the West Bank and underscore the need for continued development of the health and security systems.
- ItemTHE EFFECTIVENESS OF LORAZEPAM IN PREVENTING RADIAL ARTERY SPASM IN PATIENTS HAVING RADIAL APPROACH CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY(An-Najah National University, 2026-02-17) kittaneh, QadriBackground: One of the frequent complications in transradial cardiac catheterization is the spasm of the radial artery (RAS). This problem sometimes results in pain for the patient and makes the medical procedure difficult. Certain psychological factors, such as anxiety and pain, lead to activation of the sympathetic vascular responses, thereby raising the chance of RAS. Aim: This study intends to investigate the link between administration of lorazepam and the incidence of radial artery spasm in patients who undergo transradial cardiac catheterization, while considering the levels of anxiety and pain as one of the factors. Methodology: A descriptive observational study with a sample of 189 patients having tranradial cardiac catheterization was done in Nablus Specialty Hospital from February to August 2025. Depending on the standard clinical practice and the doctor's judgement, the participants were divided into two groups: the first group (n = 61) consisted of those who received oral lorazepam, and the second group (n = 128) of those who did not receive lorazepam. The level of anxiety was determined by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Anxiety subscale (HADS, A), and the pain intensity during the procedure was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Samples associations have been tested by chi, square and the criterion for statistical significance was that p < 0.05. Results: In the lorazepam group, 34.3% of the patients had RAS compared to 42.2% in the non, lorazepam group. In the group that did not have lorazepam, it was found that high levels of anxiety and pain were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the occurrence of RAS while there is no such significance as observed from lorazepam group. Female gender and lower education level were found to have a significant effect on the higher incidence of RAS (p < 0.05) whereas age, body mass index, smoking status, and comorbidities did not show such an effect. Anxiety levels after the procedure went down in both groups and more patients achieved normal anxiety scores. Also, pain intensity during the procedure was lower among the patients who took lorazepam. Conclusion: Taking lorazepam brought about lowered anxiety and pain levels, along with the reduced occurrence of radial artery spasm in the transradial catheterization. Causality cannot be determined owing to the design of the observational study. Recommendations: To confirm the role of lorazepam in the prevention of RAS, future researchers should use randomized controlled trials. Besides, more studies should be done to investigate long, term vascular outcomes and to compare lorazepam with other anxiolytic agents.
- ItemASSESSMENT OF FOOD SAFETY KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES AMONG FOOD SERVICES STAFF IN PALESTINIAN HOSPITALS(An-Najah National University, 2026-01-04) Abu Rass, BaselFoodborne illnesses can develop from inappropriate food handling and preparation, especially in vulnerable persons. Therefore, hospital diet safety is a serious public health issue. There is a shortage of information in Palestine regarding hospital food handlers' knowledge and practices regarding food safety. A cross-sectional evaluation of the KAP concerning the food safety of food service workers in Palestinian hospitals was made. By validated questionnaire, personal interviews with 77 participants were conducted. In six governorates - Nablus, Ramallah, Jenin, Tulkarem, Hebron, and Qalqilia the participants were gathered from both public and private hospitals. ANOVA and descriptive statistics were used to look into relationships between KAP scores and sociodemographic or occupational traits. The safe food storage procedures, suitable meat and poultry preparation, and cross-contamination prevention techniques were discovered with highly adherence. Certain behaviors, such as using a thermometer to check the temperature, examining the integrity of the package, and consistently separating raw and prepared food during meal preparation, demonstrated low compliance.