Public Health

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    AWARENESS AND COMPLIANCE TO FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN AND GUIDING PHARMACISTS IN WEST BANK (QALQILYA)
    (2024-02-29) Nazzal, Ruba
    Introduction: In pregnant women, susceptibility to folate deficiency could happen from factors such as increased requirements during pregnancy, Undernutrition caused by poverty, food insecurity, and gender inequalities. Furthermore, insufficient knowledge of appropriate dietary practices increases the risk, leading to increased deficiencies in folic acid. Folic acid deficiency correlates with adverse outcomes like preeclampsia, premature birth, neural tube abnormalities, congenital defects, type 2 diabetes, and infant obesity. Method: A quantitative study conducted in Qalqilia from October 1, 2021, to January 7 2023, evaluated the awareness and adherence to folic acid supplementation among 160 pharmacists and 350 pregnant women. The survey investigated pharmacists' awareness, knowledge, and attitudes, as well as the compliance and obstacles faced by pregnant women regarding supplementation. Comprehensive quantitative analysis of the data provided insights into the current levels of awareness and adherence among both pregnant women and pharmacists. Results: The finding indicated that 62.0% of the sample size of participants are city residents, 59.7% of them were between 25-35 years old. And 67.4% has never suffered from anemia, 44.9% of the participants has hemoglobin level between 10-12. The participants had a moderate level of awareness and knowledge regarding the intake of folic acid and iron ,with a mean score ( 1.97 ± 0.32). The level of compliance among participants towards taking supplementation was medium, the level of the barriers that prevent pregnant women using supplements was medium, with mean score (1.99± 0.41). The role of pharmacists in instructing and educating women to intake folic acid was medium, with mean score (2.25±0.50). Conclusion: Pregnant women demonstrated moderate compliance with iron and folic acid supplementation. Factors affecting adherence included the timing of initiating antenatal care, awareness of anemia, guidance on the importance of supplementation, the number of supplements given per visit, the number of children, and the distance to healthcare facilities from the participants’ living locations and the supplements side effects had minimal impact on the intake of folic acid supplementation. Strengthening health education for providers is crucial. While pregnant women had good knowledge, supplement attitudes were limited. Focus on behavioral studies is recommended for conclusive insights. Recommendations include enhancing awareness through education programs, implementing reminder systems, and promoting supplement use in university women, with an active role for pharmacists in public health.
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    ENVIRONMENTAL AND GENETIC RISK FACTORS AMONG TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS / CASE CONTROL STUDY IN NABLUS CITY
    (An-Najah National University, 2023-10-03) Rawajbeh, Bara'a
    Type 1 diabetes is a result of an autoimmune reaction in which the body immune system attack himself the exact risk factors that enhance this mechanism are not as clear as for type 2. In this study, a questionnaire for risk factors (environmental and genetic factors) for type 1 diabetes mellitus at maternal and child level. The study is aiming for identifying the risk factors (environmental & genetic) at maternal and patient level associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Nablus city West Bank, Palestine. A case control study design was adopted to find the risk factors associated with type 1 diabetes occurrence 68 cases and 50 control filled a questionnaire that was developed by the researcher, then the data was analyzed by SPSS. A total of 118 participants included in the study: 68 cases (57.6%), 50 controls (42.4%), mean age in cases 8.8703 ±5.2053, mean age of controls 8.5600±5.83938. 53.4% males and 46.6% females. The comparison between case and control groups showed significant association with multiple risk factors. BMI pre pregnancy (p 0.009), hypertension during pregnancy (p 0.077, OR 5.623, 95%CI 0.8294 – 1.4206), exposure to hair salon chemicals (p 0.033, OR 4.632, 95%CI 0.9269 – 1.3808), passive smoker (p 0.002, OR 3.458, 95%CI 1.1415 – 1.3868), consumption of soft drinks (p 0.051, OR 2.217, 95%CI 1.1516 – 1.4484), and family history of T1DM (p 0.000, OR 42.690, 95% CI1.4095 – 1.6109). T1DM is associated with genetic and environmental risk factors. Recommendation for further studies about the result founded in this study, with more sample size, and more details
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    KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE AMONG PHARMACISTS ABOUT BREASTFEEDING AND INFANT FORMULA USE IN QALQILYA DISTRICT/WEST BANK IN 2022
    (An-Najah National University, 2024-03-16) Nazzal, Rana
    Breastfeeding is universally recognized as the optimal method for meeting infants' nutritional needs, with significant implications for health, social, and economic outcomes. Inconsistent or unclear advice and support from healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, can act as barriers to breastfeeding. This research delves into the contribution of local pharmacies to health education on breastfeeding formulas in the Qalqilya area, using a quantitative, cross-sectional approach. The goal is to evaluate pharmacists' participation in promoting healthy infant feeding practices. A survey, comprising both multiple-choice and open-ended questions, was administered to 160 pharmacists in Qalqilya. The questionnaire utilized a Likert scale to measure their attitudes, practices, and knowledge about breastfeeding and infant formula. The findings indicate that the participants' average age is under 30 years. They exhibited a moderate level of awareness (67%), low positive attitudes (34%), medium appropriate practices (61%), and limited knowledge regarding breastfeeding and infant formula use (40%). The study highlights the crucial need to integrate breastfeeding education into the professional development of both local and national pharmacy associations. Pharmacists, particularly those in community settings, should address gaps in their knowledge to deliver accurate information to healthcare providers and better assist breastfeeding patients. The critical role of pharmacists in promoting and supporting breastfeeding requires them to be aware of their competencies and ethical duties in this area. The results indicate the importance of understanding the existing relationships, power structures, and varying interests in community pharmacies. Additionally, appreciating the specialized knowledge within the pharmacy profession can help researchers design effective interventions that encourage pharmacists' active participation, providing valuable insights. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the vital role of pharmacists in breastfeeding promotion and recommends incorporating breastfeeding education into professional development programs. Addressing knowledge gaps and ethical responsibilities will enhance pharmacists' ability to support breastfeeding patients effectively. Furthermore, understanding the dynamics within community pharmacies is essential for designing interventions that align with practitioners' needs and contribute to meaningful research embedded within practice.
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    RISK FACTORS RELATED TO NECK PAIN AND DISABILITY AMONG PALESTINIAN DENTISTS IN THE WEST BANK
    (2022-08-13) Manwa Ahmad Juma Ayed
    Introduction: Neck pain and disability, one of the most widespread signs of musculoskeletal problems, it is the second largely frequent conditions associated with spine disorders. It affects people of all ages after back pain. Occupations involving frequently repetitive aspects of movement, such as high physical workloads combined with psychosocial stress, are widely associated with musculoskeletal disorders that occur as a result of specific work-tasks and uncomfortable postures that professionals’ practice. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for neck pain and disability among dentists in the West Bank, Palestine. Also, the study sought to assess the link between demographic factors and work condition and neck disability among dentists in the West Bank. Method: The researcher conducted a cross-sectional study c between October 1, 2021 and May 1, 2022. A structured neck disability index 10-item questionnaire was administered to 350 dentists, selected randomly, from Ramallah, Hebron, and Nablus districts. The questionnaire was completed face-to-face, and a total of 340 (97.1%) dentists completed it. Results: The mean age of the participants was 29.6±6.1 years. The prevalence of neck disability index was high (75.3%) among dentists. Seventy (20.6%) of dentists reported having severe neck disability. Factors that were significantly associated with neck disability included age, gender, years of work, number of working hours per day, BMI, exercise at work, number of patients treated daily, and working position (P< 0.05). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of neck disability among dentists in Palestine. The functional disability was mild, with a considerable percentage of dentists suffering from a severe disability. The study recommends implementation/ organization of specific occupational health education programs that cover refining of work organization, psychosocial coping skills, and ergonomic workplace adaptation, in order to prevent severe risks for health in this occupation. Keywords: Prevalence; neck disability; dentists; risk factors; Palestine.
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    ATTITUDE OF OPERATING SURGICAL ROOMS TEAMS TOWARDS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WHO SURGICAL SAFETY CHECKLIST AND EVALUATION OF THE COMPLIANCE OF FILLING OUT THE CHECKLIST IN HOSPITALS OF PALESTINE
    (2023-06-11) Sana Jaber Ali Yaseen
    Background: The World Health Organization introduced the surgical safety checklist (SSC) to promote patient safety in surgery. This study was carried out to assess the attitudes of the operating room team members toward implementing the SSC in governmental and non-governmental hospitals in Palestine. Another objective was to determine the adherence to the currently used SSC in government and nongovernmental hospitals in Palestine. Methods: This study was carried out in two parts. The attitudes part was conducted in a cross-sectional design using a questionnaire adopted and modified from previous studies. The adhesion part was conducted in a retrospective design. The surgical files of the patients were audited against items in the SSC. Results: Participants had positive attitudes toward the SSC. The members of the operating room team who the non-governmental hospital employed were 76.23-fold (95% CI: 8.08 to 718.84) more likely to score ≥ 80% in the norm domain, 4.15-fold (95% CI: 1.23 to 13.94) to score ≥ 80% in the initiating domain, and 3.96-fold (95% CI: 1.13 to 13.93) to score ≥ 80% in the support domain. Participants who worked in a government hospital had 46.69-fold (95% CI: 6.25 to 348.65) to score ≥ 80% in the barrier domain. The SSC was completed (completely filled out) for 95 (27.9%) patients. SSC was left blank (complete) for 0 (0.0%) patients in the non-governmental hospital. On the other hand, the SSC was completed fully for 0 (0.0%) patients included in the governmental hospital. Conclusions: The operating room team members who the nongovernmental hospital employed had a more positive attitude toward the SSC. However, the adhesion to filling out the SSC in all hospitals was suboptimal. Keywords: Surgical checklist, Surgery, Patient safety