Background: Preterm labor is one of the most public health problems related to neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Poor knowledge among mothers about the care requirements of a preterm neonate is...Background: Preterm labor is one of the most public health problems related to neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Poor knowledge among mothers about the care requirements of a preterm neonate is immediate cause for post-discharge medical problems in premature and neonates readmission to NICU. Hence, this study aims to evaluate mothers’ knowledge of caring for premature infants post-discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the Gaza strip. Methods: A Quantitative-based cross-sectional designs study was used to survey 120 mothers of preterm neonates at the time of preterm neonates discharge by face-to-face interview at Al-Shifa medical complex and Nasser hospital between February and June 2018. Results: The results showed that only about 58.4% of mothers of premature babies had good knowledge about health care needed for premature infants after discharge from NICU. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference between the level of knowledge and mother’s sociodemographic characteristics (P-values > 0.05). Conclusion: Mothers’ knowledge of premature infants care was not at the optimal level, which might put the newborns at risk. Therefore, the study emphasizes the necessity of thoughtful exchange of health information between team members and mothers and establishing pre- and post-discharge plans with mothers to start their healthy transition of preterm neonate to home and to ameliorate family concerns.展开更多
The widespread mobile station’s antennas and the continued increase in the number of mobile phones users throughout the Gaza strip causing great panic in the population relating the debate overexposure to electromagn...The widespread mobile station’s antennas and the continued increase in the number of mobile phones users throughout the Gaza strip causing great panic in the population relating the debate overexposure to electromagnetic radiation EMR emitted from the antennas of mobile base stations. Therefore, this study was conducted to measure the levels of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the antennas of cellular base stations in Gaza governorate as well as to evaluate the citizen’s awareness and practices regarding potential health risks and mitigation methods of exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted from cellular base stations, respectively. Fifty cellular base stations out of 197 stations were selected depending on the criteria of selecting one site per kilometer using Global Positioning System (GPS). Electromagnetic power density, electric field strength, and the magnetic field strength emitted from cellular base stations were measured using Narda-550. Assessment tool for observation was used to collect operational information of each station. A structured questionnaire with four-level Likert rating scale was used to survey 384 mobile phone users from the areas surrounding the selected cellular base stations. The results showed that the electromagnetic radiation levels of all stations were low and less than the national and international acceptable limits. Furthermore, the awareness of participant about health risks that could result from exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted from cellular base stations and mobile phones was low. Nevertheless, the participant’s practices in mitigating the adverse impacts of electromagnetic radiation emitted from cellular base stations and mobile phones on their health were good.展开更多
Integrating Lean and Six Sigma found a powerful business tool for the strategy improvement process and saving time is produced. The main aim of this study is to identify the impact of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) practices on...Integrating Lean and Six Sigma found a powerful business tool for the strategy improvement process and saving time is produced. The main aim of this study is to identify the impact of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) practices on physiotherapy service quality at healthcare centers of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), using a descriptive-analytical approach. Data were collected using a questionnaire distributed among 49 physiotherapists working at UNRWA healthcare centers as a census sampling method between July 2016 and August 2017, following the stratified random sampling method. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze the collected data. The results revealed that there was a statistically significant relationship between Lean Six Sigma (LSS) dimensions and the quality of healthcare services provided in physiotherapy units at the UNRWA healthcare centers. Moreover, the application of Lean Six Sigma dimensions was adopted at 81% of UNRWA healthcare centers. Moreover, the percentage of patients’ satisfaction regarding the quality of healthcare services provided in physiotherapy units was 89%. The study emphasized the effectiveness of Lean Six Sigma dimensions application on the quality healthcare services provided in physiotherapy units at the UNRWA healthcare centers. Furthermore, employee training and reward according to a needs assessment to implement Lean Six Sigma successfully is highly recommended.展开更多
Water quality and occurrence of water-borne diseases in the Gaza strip are vivid examples for most developing societies. In recent years, the quality and quantity of groundwater, the only source of waters in the Gaza ...Water quality and occurrence of water-borne diseases in the Gaza strip are vivid examples for most developing societies. In recent years, the quality and quantity of groundwater, the only source of waters in the Gaza strip, have deteriorated markedly. A general rundown of the infrastructure and water distribution networks, in particular, the spread of cesspools, excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, and improper treatment and disposal of wastewater remain major contributing factors to the continued deterioration in the water status in the Gaza strip. Without a doubt, the (Israeli)-Palestinian conflict had a clear negative impact on the water sector in the Gaza strip. Apparently, there is a dire need to adopt the WHO’s water safety plan in the management of Gaza’s water supply systems from catchment to consumer’s tap in order to maintain the sustainability and quality of water resources and prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Therefore, this review has been prepared to highlight the overall picture of the water dilemma in the Gaza strip in the last years and in addition, to identify the sources, sorts, levels, and health risks of consequence to microbial contamination of water. The impact of political conflicts on the water sector in the Gaza strip also was reviewed. Furthermore, recommendations were formulated in order to assist and guide future researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers to avoid the more exacerbation of water contamination as well as to protect public health.展开更多
Background: Worldwide, breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed neoplastic disease in women around menopause that is the leading cause of DALYs, because it causes a significant reduction of these women’s a...Background: Worldwide, breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed neoplastic disease in women around menopause that is the leading cause of DALYs, because it causes a significant reduction of these women’s ability to function normally in everyday life. Methods: The present hospital-based case-control study was carried out between January and August 2018 using a structured questionnaire on 105 breast cancer women and 210 controls who are clinically free from breast cancer. Data about the study cases were collected in the oncology day-care clinics of the two main hospitals in Gaza strip “Al-Shifa and European Gaza hospitals”. Univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify the significant factors associated with BC. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analyses with adjustment for all confounders revealed that woman with BMI more than or equal 30 kg/m2 are under risk of getting BC 2.9 times greater than those having BMI less than 29 kg/m2 (AOR = 2.895;95% CI: 1.305 - 6.423). Analysis of risk according to reaching menopause showed that the estimated AOR was greater among those reached menopause (3.137, 95% CI 1.824 - 5.395) than among those that did not reach menopause. The risk of developing BC in the case of a history of incidence of BC in the family was more than two times higher (AOR = 2.632, 95% CI 1.528 - 4.535) than in case of the history of a free family of BC. Conclusion: In this context, the above-mentioned risk factors must be taken into consideration in BC management processes in the Gaza strip.展开更多
Background: Sandifer syndrome (SS) is the association of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with neurological manifestations (spastic torticollis and paroxysmal dystonic postures with arching of the back and rigid...Background: Sandifer syndrome (SS) is the association of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with neurological manifestations (spastic torticollis and paroxysmal dystonic postures with arching of the back and rigid opisthotonic posturing. Case presentation: A 3-month-old male infant presented to our emergency department with torticollis and dystonic episodes for two months associated with vomiting. These movements were observed during or just after feeding. Since the patient developed regurgitations with torticollis and dystonic episodes with arching of the back and rigid opisthotonic posturing. The electroencephalogram was normal. Barium swallow/meal examination revealed GERD without evidence of hiatus hernia. Apgar scores were 7 at 1 min and 9 at 5 min. Conclusion: Early recognition and treatment of GERD in patients with Sandifer syndrome enhance the success of medical management and contributes to improved quality of life for patients with brain damage. The paroxysmal dystonic behaviors were dramatically disappeared completely after medical management in this patient.展开更多
Controlled growth of Bi2WO6 nanorods with exposed[001]facets and the fabrication of an Fe2O4-Bi2WO6 magnetic composite by a microwave-assisted polyol process,were achieved in this study.The adsorp-tivity and photocata...Controlled growth of Bi2WO6 nanorods with exposed[001]facets and the fabrication of an Fe2O4-Bi2WO6 magnetic composite by a microwave-assisted polyol process,were achieved in this study.The adsorp-tivity and photocatalytic performance of the composite toward sunset yellow dye degradation were greatly enhanced by the β-cyclodextrin cavities on its surface,firmly anchored through a cetyltrimethylammonium bro-mide linkage.A series of examinations and characteriza-tions were carried out to determine the influence of various factors on the morphological modulation-photocatalytic behavior of the pure Bi2WO6 prior to final functionaliza-tion.Changing the pH of the precursor solution impacted the formation of 0D,2D,and 3D structures;however,the presence of hexamethylenetetramine surfactant induced the development of 1D nanorod structure.A reasonable crystal growth mechanism was proposed to elucidate the formation process.Conversely,the mechanism of the activity enhancement of β-cyclodextrin functionalized Fe2O4-Bi2WO6,compared to that of the non-functiona-lized samples,could be realized with the assistance of chemical trapping experiments on sunset yellow,and was confirmed on the colorless antibiotic(sulfamethoxazole).The high performance and durability of this composite can be attributed to the facet-dependent activity,large adsorp-tion capacity due to inclusion interactions,enhanced visible light absorption,and efficient charge separation.展开更多
文摘Background: Preterm labor is one of the most public health problems related to neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Poor knowledge among mothers about the care requirements of a preterm neonate is immediate cause for post-discharge medical problems in premature and neonates readmission to NICU. Hence, this study aims to evaluate mothers’ knowledge of caring for premature infants post-discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the Gaza strip. Methods: A Quantitative-based cross-sectional designs study was used to survey 120 mothers of preterm neonates at the time of preterm neonates discharge by face-to-face interview at Al-Shifa medical complex and Nasser hospital between February and June 2018. Results: The results showed that only about 58.4% of mothers of premature babies had good knowledge about health care needed for premature infants after discharge from NICU. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference between the level of knowledge and mother’s sociodemographic characteristics (P-values > 0.05). Conclusion: Mothers’ knowledge of premature infants care was not at the optimal level, which might put the newborns at risk. Therefore, the study emphasizes the necessity of thoughtful exchange of health information between team members and mothers and establishing pre- and post-discharge plans with mothers to start their healthy transition of preterm neonate to home and to ameliorate family concerns.
文摘The widespread mobile station’s antennas and the continued increase in the number of mobile phones users throughout the Gaza strip causing great panic in the population relating the debate overexposure to electromagnetic radiation EMR emitted from the antennas of mobile base stations. Therefore, this study was conducted to measure the levels of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the antennas of cellular base stations in Gaza governorate as well as to evaluate the citizen’s awareness and practices regarding potential health risks and mitigation methods of exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted from cellular base stations, respectively. Fifty cellular base stations out of 197 stations were selected depending on the criteria of selecting one site per kilometer using Global Positioning System (GPS). Electromagnetic power density, electric field strength, and the magnetic field strength emitted from cellular base stations were measured using Narda-550. Assessment tool for observation was used to collect operational information of each station. A structured questionnaire with four-level Likert rating scale was used to survey 384 mobile phone users from the areas surrounding the selected cellular base stations. The results showed that the electromagnetic radiation levels of all stations were low and less than the national and international acceptable limits. Furthermore, the awareness of participant about health risks that could result from exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted from cellular base stations and mobile phones was low. Nevertheless, the participant’s practices in mitigating the adverse impacts of electromagnetic radiation emitted from cellular base stations and mobile phones on their health were good.
文摘Integrating Lean and Six Sigma found a powerful business tool for the strategy improvement process and saving time is produced. The main aim of this study is to identify the impact of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) practices on physiotherapy service quality at healthcare centers of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), using a descriptive-analytical approach. Data were collected using a questionnaire distributed among 49 physiotherapists working at UNRWA healthcare centers as a census sampling method between July 2016 and August 2017, following the stratified random sampling method. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze the collected data. The results revealed that there was a statistically significant relationship between Lean Six Sigma (LSS) dimensions and the quality of healthcare services provided in physiotherapy units at the UNRWA healthcare centers. Moreover, the application of Lean Six Sigma dimensions was adopted at 81% of UNRWA healthcare centers. Moreover, the percentage of patients’ satisfaction regarding the quality of healthcare services provided in physiotherapy units was 89%. The study emphasized the effectiveness of Lean Six Sigma dimensions application on the quality healthcare services provided in physiotherapy units at the UNRWA healthcare centers. Furthermore, employee training and reward according to a needs assessment to implement Lean Six Sigma successfully is highly recommended.
文摘Water quality and occurrence of water-borne diseases in the Gaza strip are vivid examples for most developing societies. In recent years, the quality and quantity of groundwater, the only source of waters in the Gaza strip, have deteriorated markedly. A general rundown of the infrastructure and water distribution networks, in particular, the spread of cesspools, excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, and improper treatment and disposal of wastewater remain major contributing factors to the continued deterioration in the water status in the Gaza strip. Without a doubt, the (Israeli)-Palestinian conflict had a clear negative impact on the water sector in the Gaza strip. Apparently, there is a dire need to adopt the WHO’s water safety plan in the management of Gaza’s water supply systems from catchment to consumer’s tap in order to maintain the sustainability and quality of water resources and prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Therefore, this review has been prepared to highlight the overall picture of the water dilemma in the Gaza strip in the last years and in addition, to identify the sources, sorts, levels, and health risks of consequence to microbial contamination of water. The impact of political conflicts on the water sector in the Gaza strip also was reviewed. Furthermore, recommendations were formulated in order to assist and guide future researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers to avoid the more exacerbation of water contamination as well as to protect public health.
文摘Background: Worldwide, breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed neoplastic disease in women around menopause that is the leading cause of DALYs, because it causes a significant reduction of these women’s ability to function normally in everyday life. Methods: The present hospital-based case-control study was carried out between January and August 2018 using a structured questionnaire on 105 breast cancer women and 210 controls who are clinically free from breast cancer. Data about the study cases were collected in the oncology day-care clinics of the two main hospitals in Gaza strip “Al-Shifa and European Gaza hospitals”. Univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify the significant factors associated with BC. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analyses with adjustment for all confounders revealed that woman with BMI more than or equal 30 kg/m2 are under risk of getting BC 2.9 times greater than those having BMI less than 29 kg/m2 (AOR = 2.895;95% CI: 1.305 - 6.423). Analysis of risk according to reaching menopause showed that the estimated AOR was greater among those reached menopause (3.137, 95% CI 1.824 - 5.395) than among those that did not reach menopause. The risk of developing BC in the case of a history of incidence of BC in the family was more than two times higher (AOR = 2.632, 95% CI 1.528 - 4.535) than in case of the history of a free family of BC. Conclusion: In this context, the above-mentioned risk factors must be taken into consideration in BC management processes in the Gaza strip.
文摘Background: Sandifer syndrome (SS) is the association of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with neurological manifestations (spastic torticollis and paroxysmal dystonic postures with arching of the back and rigid opisthotonic posturing. Case presentation: A 3-month-old male infant presented to our emergency department with torticollis and dystonic episodes for two months associated with vomiting. These movements were observed during or just after feeding. Since the patient developed regurgitations with torticollis and dystonic episodes with arching of the back and rigid opisthotonic posturing. The electroencephalogram was normal. Barium swallow/meal examination revealed GERD without evidence of hiatus hernia. Apgar scores were 7 at 1 min and 9 at 5 min. Conclusion: Early recognition and treatment of GERD in patients with Sandifer syndrome enhance the success of medical management and contributes to improved quality of life for patients with brain damage. The paroxysmal dystonic behaviors were dramatically disappeared completely after medical management in this patient.
基金The authors wish to thank Tehran University of Medical Sciences,Intermational campus,National Institute for Medical Research Development,Grant No.963445Nanotechnology Research Centre for the financial and instrumental support of this research.
文摘Controlled growth of Bi2WO6 nanorods with exposed[001]facets and the fabrication of an Fe2O4-Bi2WO6 magnetic composite by a microwave-assisted polyol process,were achieved in this study.The adsorp-tivity and photocatalytic performance of the composite toward sunset yellow dye degradation were greatly enhanced by the β-cyclodextrin cavities on its surface,firmly anchored through a cetyltrimethylammonium bro-mide linkage.A series of examinations and characteriza-tions were carried out to determine the influence of various factors on the morphological modulation-photocatalytic behavior of the pure Bi2WO6 prior to final functionaliza-tion.Changing the pH of the precursor solution impacted the formation of 0D,2D,and 3D structures;however,the presence of hexamethylenetetramine surfactant induced the development of 1D nanorod structure.A reasonable crystal growth mechanism was proposed to elucidate the formation process.Conversely,the mechanism of the activity enhancement of β-cyclodextrin functionalized Fe2O4-Bi2WO6,compared to that of the non-functiona-lized samples,could be realized with the assistance of chemical trapping experiments on sunset yellow,and was confirmed on the colorless antibiotic(sulfamethoxazole).The high performance and durability of this composite can be attributed to the facet-dependent activity,large adsorp-tion capacity due to inclusion interactions,enhanced visible light absorption,and efficient charge separation.
