scholarly journals Fluorides in groundwater, soil and infused black tea and the occurrence of dental fluorosis among school children of the Gaza Strip

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Shomar ◽  
G. Müller ◽  
A. Yahya ◽  
S. Askar ◽  
R. Sansur

The purpose of this study was to determine the fluoride levels in water, soil and tea, and to identify the major fluoride minerals in soil that supply water with fluoride ions. Another aim was to study the prevalence of dental fluorosis in permanent dentition of the school children of the Gaza Strip. Monitoring of fluoride levels in 73 groundwater wells and 20 topsoil samples for the last three years revealed a general trend of increasing from north to south of the Gaza Strip. A linear regression analysis found a correlation coefficient of r=0.93 between the fluoride concentrations in groundwater and soil for the same geographic areas. However, the X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) results showed that none of the four major fluoride minerals were detected in the tested soil samples; the PHREEQC model showed that fluorite (CaF2) was the main donating mineral of fluoride ions to groundwater.A high positive correlation was found between fluoride concentrations in groundwater and occurrence of dental fluorosis. Among 353 school children of the five geographic areas of the Gaza Strip the prevalence of dental fluorosis was 60%, and 40% had no signs of fluorosis in their permanent dentitions. The highest occurrence, 94%, was in Khan Yunis, followed by 82% in Rafah, 68% in the middle area, 29% in Gaza and the lowest occurrence of 9% was in the northern area. These percentages were directly proportional to the average content of fluoride in groundwater of each area: 2.6, 0.9, 1.7, 1.2, and 0.7 ppm, respectively. The exception was Rafah where people drank from new groundwater wells that have been dug in the last 10 years.The occurrence of the disease was due to intake of high amounts of fluorides in drinking water, tea and fish. Communication with population indicated a heavy intake of tea starting from a very young age; not uncommonly tea is put in nursing bottles. No significant correlation was found between prevalence figures and gender or age groups. This high prevalence indicates a need to examine other sources of F including diet.

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 447-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Sudhakar ◽  
K Amarendher Reddy ◽  
BR Anuradha ◽  
G Sri Laxmi ◽  
VN Malik ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Aim To assess the prevalence of dental caries and dental fluorosis among 13- to 15-year-old school children in Panyam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Materials and methods The cross-sectional study was conducted among 202 school children and were examined for dental fluorosis and dental caries. Results This study shows that male students have a decrease in DMFT (Decayed, missing, filled, teeth) index and increase in Dean's index when compared with females. Among students with 13 to 15 years of age, 13-year-old student has increase in DMFT score when compared with other age groups and 14-year-old students has increase in Dean's score when compared with other age group students. Conclusion The prevalence of dental caries decreased with the increase of fluorosis among the students examined. Clinical significance Patients with dental fluorosis show a decreased prevalence of dental caries. How to cite this article Anuradha BR, Sri Laxmi G, Sudhakar P, Malik VN, Reddy KA, Reddy SN, Prasanna AL. Prevalence of Dental Caries among 13 and 15-Year-Old School Children in an Endemic Fluorosis Area: A Cross-sectional Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2011;12(6):447-450.


1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-233
Author(s):  
R. Awad

The magnitude of the brucellosis problem in the Gaza Strip and the exposure to risk factors among cases were investigated. The incidence of brucellosis in 1996 was 8/100 000. The age-specific incidence rate was approximately equal in all age groups, with a mean age of infection of 20 years. Cases were reported from all districts, with a particularly high incidence in the Mid-zone district and Gaza City, and most cases had onset of illness in spring and summer. The main reported risk factor was consumption of milk and milk products, especially home-made cheese [70.4%], and 22.2% of cases were among animal breeders. The proportion of chronic and relapsing cases was very high [17%]


2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Aziz Mousa Thabet ◽  
Khalid Karim ◽  
Panos Vostanis

BackgroundThere has been little reported research into the effect of war on the behaviour and emotional well-being of pre-school children.AimsTo investigate the relationship between exposure to war trauma and behavioural and emotional problems among pre-school children.MethodAtotal of 309 children aged 3–6 years were selected from kindergartens in the Gaza Strip, and were assessed by parental reports in regard to their exposure to war trauma, using the Gaza Traumatic Checklist, and their behavioural and emotional problems, using the Behaviour Checklist (BCL) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).ResultsPre-school children were exposed to a wide range of traumatic events. The total number of traumatic events independently predicted total BCL and SDQ scores. Exposure to day raids and shelling of the children's houses by tanks were significantly associated with total behavioural and emotional problems scores.ConclusionsDirect and non-direct exposure to war trauma increases the risk of behavioural and emotional problems among pre-school children, which may present as non-specific psychopathology.


Author(s):  
Omar S. Asfour ◽  
Samar Abu Ghali

City centers worldwide are perceived as essential parts of the city, where city memories are preserved and its identity is expressed. They are planned to satisfy the functional requirements and pleasurable qualities of the city. Under the accelerating urbanization of the modern city, several challenges face these centers including demographic, economic, and environmental challenges. This requires a continuous and incremental urban development process based on clear strategy and action plans. Thus, this study focuses on urban development strategies of city centers, with a focus on Rafah city located in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories. The geographic location of this city near the Palestinian-Egyptian borders makes it a promising commercial city at local and regional levels. Thus, the current situation of Rafah city center has been analyzed, and several development strategies have been proposed. This has been done through a field survey based on observation and a questionnaire directed to city center users. It has been found that there is a great potential of Rafah city center to be developed as a commercial center. In this regard, several strategies and required actions have been proposed in the fields of transportation, environmental quality, shopping activities, investment opportunities, and visual perception.


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