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ASSOCIATION OF HOUSEHOLD FOOD INSECURITY AND NUTRITION-RELATED KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES WITH NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG MOTHERS AGED ? 18 IN PALESTINE: NATIONAL STUDY
(An-Najah National University, 2025-02-17) Salahat, Eman
Background: The global understanding of the relationship between food insecurity and maternal nutrition has improved, with researchers underlining the necessity of evaluating not just the availability of food but also the quality of food and its nutritional content. Furthermore, the need to look at food's social and cultural aspects, such as women's nutrition-related behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge, is becoming increasingly apparent. Developing successful treatments to enhance maternal nutrition and, consequently, improve child health outcomes requires consideration of these aspects. Nutrition-related knowledge and attitudes are necessary for dietary changes toward a healthier dietary pattern. For that reason, nutrition-related knowledge, attitude, and practice are some of the key factors in achieving households' food and nutritional security.
Aim: to examine the association between household food insecurity and nutritional status and nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among mothers aged ≥ 18 years in the West Bank, Palestine.
Methodology: A cross-sectional design was used in the study, which was conducted in households in West Bank/ Palestine. The target population in the households living in the West Bank is mothers aged ≥ 18 years. Stratified cluster sampling with a total sample size of 720 Households. The validated Radimer/Cornell Household Food Security questionnaire was used to assess the status of household food security status. Nutritional status (Body mass index) and dietary intake recall (24-hour dietary recalls for two days) were taken to assess the nutritional status of the mothers. Nutrition-related Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of mothers was assessed using the Food and Agriculture Organization module related to Iron deficiency anemia (Module no. 6)
Result: Numerous socioeconomic characteristics were found in 720 West Bank families surveyed; the majority of household mothers were under 40, and 62.6% had a university degree. The average family size was 4.4, 33.8% of households made between 3001 and 5000 NIS per month, and only 5.6% of households received food assistance. 13.1% of households experienced food insecurity, mostly as a result of financial hardships, and 3.3% of the households had hungry children. Tiny percentages (1.5%) were underweight, whereas the majority (61.5%) were overweight or obese, indicating the need for dietary treatments. Factors such as education, income, location, and dependence on food assistance were associated with food insecurity, underscoring the need for focused assistance for disadvantaged populations.
Conclusion: Food insecurity in the West Bank is complex, as this study shows, with notable socioeconomic, demographic, nutritional, and KAP differences between households. The main risk factors for food insecurity were found to be middle-aged families, lower educational attainment, geographical disparities, refugee status, and poor income.
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ISRAELI OCCUPATION AUTHORITIES ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION SECTOR POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN THE WEST BANK: THE CASE OF NORTHERN DISTRICTS
(An-Najah National University, 2025-02-27) Abu Yaqoub, Ahmad
Abstract
Background: The road and transportation sector in West Bank, Palestine has been impacted by the Israeli occupation authorities since its occupation since 1967, which have radically changed the road and transportation network to serve their interests regarding their colonial settlements and claimed security. This has disrupted access and mobility of the Palestinians through various means. The importance of this research is highlighted in its uniqueness in addressing the road and transportation sector in the West Bank in the Zionist colonial context.
Aims: The main goal of the research is to understand the policies, procedures and practices of the Israeli occupation authorities related to the roads and transportation sector in West Bank, in order to improve the Palestinians’ mobility and ability to travel in light of the policies and practices of the Zionist occupation of the West Bank. The research objectives include to identify the policies, procedures, and practices carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities in the road and transportation sector, and evaluate the changes made to road network in areas classified C, and the resulting impacts on the Palestinians. The study also seeks to investigate the differences between the policies, procedures, and practices targeted to serve the settlers and compare with those concerning the Palestinians. Finally, the research aims to propose countermeasures to those policies and practices to alleviate suffering of the Palestinians in their movement.
Methodology: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in this research. Review collected literature and Israeli plans and military orders was conducted, interviews with official representatives of relevant institutions were made, and then analysis was conducted concerning mobility, accessibility, geometric design, traffic safety aspects, use of traffic control devices, and planning of road network in the West Bank. GIS tools were well utilized in spatial analysis as well as in temporal analysis through change detection analysis, in addition to technical analysis through case studies.
Main results: The research outcome shows that Israeli authorities have been devising and implementing various policies, procedures, and practices, since its occupation of the West Bank to restrict the Palestinians accessibility and mobility. Most importantly, the results confirm that presence of the policy of apartheid between Palestinian citizens and settlers, including the planning and construction of bypass roads, the apartheid wall that cuts access, even the guidance signs posted in road network. Various road and transportation aspects are found to be deliberately ignoring the mobility, accessibility, and traffic safely aspects on the Palestinians. It is also found that the Israeli related restrictive measures concerning Palestinians, and the development of the road and transportation network serving the Israelis settlements linking them together and with the network beyond the Green Line, have been intensified in a very rapid pace in the past few years. Finally, it is found that the domination over the road network would restrict and may prevent and potential sovereignty of the of the Palestinians on the West Bank lands, and thus would retard the establishment of an independent Palestinian State.
Conclusions of the study: The threats to the Palestinian presence as exemplified in the results, would require that the Palestine National Authority officials have to take immediate actions through relevant international courts and UN institutions, and consider realistic countermeasures including policies and plans that can be implemented on the ground as soon as possible, which would alleviate the suffering of Palestinian citizens in the context of accessibility and movement, such as enhancing the connections among the Palestinian communities and opening and developing more alternate roads.
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PROGNOSIS OF PATIENTS WITH ACUTE RESPIRATORY FAILURE AND PROLONGED INTENSIVE CARE UNIT STAY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY
(An-Najah National University, 2025-03-16) Mallouh, Manar
Background: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is one of the greatest serious clinical
conditions often need ICU admission and is linked with prolonged hospital stay. The
main purpose of this study was to examine outcomes in order to identify risk factors
related to the length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) of patients with ARF.
Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, patients were admitted from 2018 to 2023 to
the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital and were involved if they were adults
diagnosed with ARF volunteer. We systematically retrieved demographic characteristics
within electronic health records and documented clinical variables and interventions of
every patient, including ventilation support. Logistic regression models, t-tests, and chisquare tests were completed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)
version 21 to govern potential predictors of mortality and LOS.
Results: Out of the 460 participants, 61–52 percent were male, with an average age of 59.
However, neither age nor gender was found to significantly influence mortality rates. Vital
clinical signs of impending death comprise of a systolic blood pressure below 110 mmHg,
a heart rate of 100 bpm or higher, a temperature under 37°C, a Glasgow coma scale score
below 14, a hematocrit value of fewer than 26, a sodium concentration below 139 mEq/L,
and a pH value below 7.36. There appeared to be higher survival rates between patients
who had lower acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) scores. On the
other hand, shorter periods on ventilators and less invasive procedures were connected with
better outcomes. Significant issues that affected mortality are such as admission for
pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and post-operative cases while
complications like vasopressor use, renal disease, and hepatic injury also improved the
rates of death as well as longer LOS.
Conclusion: This study highlights the significance of thorough clinical assessment and
modified management strategies for ICU patients with ARF who have long stays. To
improve survival rates while reducing the period of hospital stays, standard risk assessment
tools such as the APACHE score should be used alongside progressions in ventilation
methods. Moreover, employing multidisciplinary approaches to tackle the patient's
comorbidities and associated complications can improve the prognosis even more.
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THE ASSOCIATION OF DIETARY BEHAVIORS WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND CLINICAL CLINICAL ASPECTSAMONG PATIENTS DURING HEMODIALYSIS AT AN-NAJAH NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
(An-Najah National University, 2025-02-25) Arman, Mimas
Background: Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a frequent consequence of (HD) that has been associated with elevated symptom burden, increased access failure, cardiovascular events, and increased mortality). Eating during dialysis (EDD) treatment has traditionally been associated with an increased risk of IHD, but new research suggests a shift in clinical practice, with more clinicians believing that intradialysis meals and supplements may be a way to increase caloric intake and improve nutritional status (NS) in HD patients The main objective is to study the association between eating practice and nutrition status (NS), clinical outcome (CO): IHD, adequate dialysis (AD) and mental health (MH) in adults with HD at An-Najah National University Hospital.
Methods: This study used an observational and cross-sectional design. Data collection started in July 2024 and finished in October 2024. The study included 155 adult hemodialysis patients from An-Najah University Hospital. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews, which included: first, socio-demographic data; second, medical history; third, dialysis-related information; fourth, nutritional status using ABCD, which includes body measurements, body mass index, biochemical tests, and clinical nutrition (MIS and dietary record for dialysis and non-dialysis days, which helps to know the number of food groups and food types, as well as the amount of energy and protein consumed during the day); fifth, dietary intake practices; and finally, mental health utilizing the GHQ-12 questionnaire.
The patient was observed for three sessions, including data collected on food intake (yes or no), symptom presence (yes or no), and minimum mean arterial pressure (MAP).
In addition, policies and recommendations for the specialist, staff, and hospital were recorded.
Results: The study included 155 HD patients, of whom 66.5% were male and 79.4% EDD. The face-to-face interviews data showed that there was no association between EDD and NS or MH status. The observational data showed there was no association between EDD and symptoms, or a decrease in blood pressure, and AD .
Conclusions: In conclusion, based on face-to-face interviews , there was no association between dialysis patients' eating habits and the NS or MH. Observational data additionally showed that there was no association between EDD with AD and symptoms or a decrease in blood pressure during the dialysis.
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TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE SEWAGE SLUDGE MANAGEMENT IN PALESTINE
(An-Najah National University, 2025-02-27) Abdou, Ali
Sewage sludge management in Palestine faces considerable environmental, economic, and public health challenges due to fragmented governance, technological limitations, and social barriers. The research aims to understand the current state of practice in sludge management in Palestine, assess the sludge's potential for agricultural and energy uses, and determine the possibilities of value-added processing. It also aims to assess the environmental and public health risks associated with the current management practices. By analyzing these factors, the study aims to enhance sludge management and promote resource utilization.
The research employed the Governance Assessment Tool (GAT) to evaluate governance structures' effectiveness, coherence, and responsiveness. Data collection included a comprehensive review of the available literature, such as policies, standards, and related literature. Also, stakeholder interviews were conducted, and case studies of wastewater treatment plants in Nablus, Jericho, and Al-Bireh were conducted, along with an overview of the countries in the region.
The study also included the best global practices and innovative technologies such as biogas recovery, composting, and hydrothermal carbonization to identify suitable solutions for the local context.
The findings reveal some challenges in governance, technology, and public perception. Current governance frameworks are fragmented, with inadequate coordination and enforcement of regulations. Technical issues, including high sludge moisture content and the absence of efficient disposal pathways, also raise operational costs and environmental risks. Sociocultural and behavioral barriers to sludge reuse, including the perception of farmers as opposed to it, also restrict progress. However, the study shows potential for resource recovery, including biogas production and composting, that can decrease reliance on landfills and be compatible with circular economic approaches.
To address these challenges, a multifaceted, comprehensive approach is needed. Recommendations include proposing unified governance systems, selecting and implementing advanced treatment technologies, and enhancing stakeholder engagement. Increasing biogas recovery and composting activities is a way of enhancing resource utilization, decreasing costs, and decreasing adverse environmental effects. Public education campaigns and targeted stakeholder engagement are essential to removing socio-cultural barriers and encouraging acceptance of new solutions.