BackgroundThe prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its associated risk factors among haemodialysis (HD) patients in Gaza strip was investigated using serological and molecular techniques.ResultsThe overall prevalence of HBV among the four HD centers was 8.1%. The main risk factors were HD center (p = 0.05), history of blood transfusion (p < 0.01), and treatment abroad (p = 0.01). The overall prevalence of HCV among the four HD centers was 22%. The main risk factors were HD center (p < 0.01), time duration on HD (p < 0.01), history of blood transfusion (p < 0.01), treatment abroad (p < 0.01), and history of blood transfusion abroad (p < 0.01). Serum aminotransferases levels decreased in HD patients compared with normal population but still there was a direct association between the activity of liver enzymes and both HBV (p < 0.01) and HCV (p < 0.01) infection.ConclusionThe much higher prevalence of Hepatitis viruses among HD patients compared to the normal population of Gaza strip indicates a causative relation between HD and hepatitis viruses transmission. Therefore extremely careful observation of preventive infection control measures is essential to limit Hepatitis viruses' transmission in HD centers.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide and become an emerging life-threatening pandemic disease since 2019. This study aimed to evaluate the basic knowledge, awareness, personal hygiene and healthy practices regarding COVID-19 during its outbreak among the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip. It is a cross-sectional survey carried out between July and August 2020 and included 458 participants, aged 18 years or older, belonging to the five Gaza Strip governorates, Palestine, with a variety of socio-economic status. Sociodemographic data and data on COVID-19 knowledge, awareness, personal hygiene and healthy practices were collected via email and social media applications (WhatsApp and Facebook) from the study participants. Statistical analyses were performed using Vr 22 of the SPSS software. Overall, the mean ± SD age of the participants was 26.5 ± 4.2 years. Our findings showed that most of the Gazan adults had very good knowledge regarding COVID-19 in terms of host sources, causative agents, incubation period, symptoms, transmission, treatment and prevention. Additionally, most of the participants had a high level of personal hygiene and healthy practices during the COVID-19 outbreak, where personal hygiene and healthy practices against COVID-19 was 77.4%. Furthermore, a higher educational level did not affect the quality of personal hygiene and healthy practice behaviours during the COVID-19 outbreak. Although most of the Gazans had good knowledge regarding the healthy practices, a significant percentage of the population did not practice the hygiene protocol. Despite the majority of the Gazan population having very good knowledge regarding COVID-19 and a high level of personal hygiene and healthy practices during the COVID-19 outbreak, a small proportion require education about avoiding physical contact and maintaining social distancing with others during the pandemic.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a turmoil in the pregnancy appeared with the onset of hypertension and considerable amount of proteinuria. Extra serum iron is a causative component of oxidative stress concerned in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. This study is a case control, conducted in 2018, and aimed to determine the iron status in preeclamptics as compared to normotensive pregnancies in Gaza strip. About 100 pregnant women with gestational age between 26 to 36 weeks. Fifty of them were preeclamptics and an equal number were without preeclampsia, aged between 18 to 35 years. Interview questionnaires were used to take sociodemographic and clinical data. Anthropometric evaluation and biochemical analysis were conducted. The SPSS version22 was used for data analysis. There was no statistically difference in the gestational age, gestational number and hemoglobin levels in the cases and controls (p≥ 0.05). In contrast, the body mass index (BMI), systolic, diastolic blood pressure (BP), and uric acid (UA) levels were significantly higher in preeclamptics (P<0.001). As well, the majority of cases were have +2 proteinuria on dipstick testing. Further, serum iron and ferritin levels were significantly higher in preeclamptics. On the other hand, ferritin levels had significant direct correlations with gestational number, previous preeclampsia, BMI, systolic BP, diastolic BP, UA, and proteinuria (P<0.05). Likewise, Iron had significant direct correlation with proteinuria (P<0.05). Preeclamptics have higher hematological parameters levels (iron & ferritin) as compared to normotensive women. However, Iron status of preeclamptic women should be assessed before giving iron supplements as these may cause more harm than benefit.