Prevalence and risk factors of obesity and hypertension among students at a central university in the West Bank

Background Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is one of the major causes of acute viral hepatitis. HAV genotypes and its genetic diversity is rarely investigated in our region as well as worldwide. Aims The aims of the present study were to determine the HAV genotypes and its risk factors and to investigate the genetic diversity of the HAV isolates in the West Bank, Palestine. Study design A cohort of 161 clinically and laboratory-confirmed HAV (IgM-positive) cases and 170 apparently healthy controls from all the districts of the West Bank, Palestine during the period of 2014 to 2016 were tested for HAV infection using IgM antibodies, RT-PCR and sequence analysis of the VP3/VP1 junction region of the HAV genome. Phylogenetic analysis, genetic diversity and haplotypes analysis were used to characterize the VP3/VP1 sequences. Results All the 34 sequences of the HAV were found to be of HAV-IB sub-genotype. The phylogenetic analysis showed four main clusters with cluster III exclusively consisting of 18 Palestinian isolates (18/23-78%), but with weak bootstrap values. A high haplotype diversity (Hd) and low nucleotide diversity (π) were observed. Cluster III showed high number of haplotypes (h = 8), but low haplotype (gene) diversity (Hd = 0.69). A total of 28 active haplotypes with some consisting of more than one sequence were observed using haplotype network analysis. The Palestinian haplotypes are characterized by closely related viral haplotypes with one SNV away from each other which ran parallel to cluster III in the phylogenetic tree. A smaller Palestinian haplotype (4 isolates) was three SNVs away from the major haplotype cluster (n = 10) and closer to others haplotypes from Iran, Spain, and South Africa. Young age, low level of parent’s education, infrequent hand washing before meals, and drinking of un-treated water were considered the major HAV risk factors in the present study. Conclusion Haplotype network analysis revealed haplotype variation among the HAV Palestinian sequences despite low genetic variation and nucleotide diversity. In addition, this study reconfirmed that age and parent’s level of education as HAV risk factors, while hand washing and treating drinking water as protective factors.

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Genetic diversity, haplotype analysis, and risk factor assessment of hepatitis a virus (HAV) isolates from the West Bank, Palestine during the period between 2014 and 2016

10.1101/2020.09.25.313007 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kamal Dumaidi ◽

Hayah Qaraqe ◽

Amer Al-Jawabreh ◽

Rasmi Abu-Helu ◽

Fekri Samarah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Genetic Diversity ◽

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Network Analysis ◽

Nucleotide Diversity ◽

Hepatitis A Virus ◽

West Bank ◽

Haplotype Diversity ◽

Haplotype Network ◽

The West

AbstractBackgroundHAV genotypes and its genetic diversity is rarely investigated in our region as well as worldwide.Aimsthe aims of the present study were to determine the HAV genotypes and its risk factors and to investigate the genetic diversity of the HAV isolates in the West bank, Palestine.Study designa cohort of 161 clinically and laboratory confirmed HAV (IgM-positive) cases and 170 IgM negative individuals from all the districts of the West Bank, Palestine during the period of 2014-2016 were tested for VP3/VP1 junction of the HAV genome using RT-PCR and sequence analysis. Phylogenetic analysis, genetic diversity and haplotypes analysis were used to characterize the VP3/VP1 sequences.ResultsOverall, all the 34 sequences of the HAV was found to be HAV-IB sub-genotype. The phylogenetic analysis showed four main clusters with cluster III exclusively consisting of 18 Palestinian isolates (18/23-78%) with weak bootstrap values. A high haplotype diversity (Hd) and low nucleotide diversity (π) were observed. Cluster III showed high number of haplotypes (h=8), but low haplotype (gene) diversity (Hd=0.69). A total of 28 active haplotypes with some consisting of more than one sequence were observed using haplotype network analysis. The Palestinian haplotypes are characterized by closely related viral haplotypes with one SNV away from each other which ran parallel to cluster III in the phylogenetic tree. A smaller Palestinian haplotype (4 isolates) was three SNVs away from the major haplotype cluster (n=10) and closer to haplotypes from Iran, Spain, and South Africa. Young age, low level of parent’s education, poor hand washing and drinking of un-treated water was considered the major HAV risk factors in the present study.ConclusionHAV-IB subgentype is endemic in Palestine. HAV showed low genetic variation and nucleotide diversity. Furthermore, haplotype network analysis revealed haplotype variation among the Palestinian sequences.

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Knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors among Palestinian women: a national cross-sectional study

BMC Women s Health ◽

10.1186/s12905-021-01510-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mohamedraed Elshami ◽

Mariam Thalji ◽

Hanan Abukmail ◽

Ibrahim Al-Slaibi ◽

Mohammed Alser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factor ◽

West Bank ◽

Gaza Strip ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

The West ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Palestinian Women ◽

The Gaza Strip

Abstract Background High awareness of cervical cancer (CC) risk factors is important to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with CC. This study aimed to assess the knowledge level of Palestinian women about CC risk factors and to determine the factors associated with good knowledge. Methods This was a national cross-sectional study. Adult women from hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and public spaces of 11 governorates in Palestine were recruited using a stratified convenience sampling. A translated-into-Arabic version of the validated CC awareness measure (CeCAM) was used to assess the knowledge about the 11 CC risk factors. For each correctly identified risk factor, the participant was given one point. The total score was calculated and was categorized into three categories: poor knowledge (0–3), fair knowledge (4–7), and good knowledge (8–11). Results A total of 7223 participants completed the Arabic CeCAM (response rate = 89.3%) and 7058 questionnaires were included in the final analysis: 2655 from the Gaza Strip and 4403 from the West Bank and Jerusalem. Participants recruited from the Gaza Strip were younger, getting lower monthly incomes, and with less chronic diseases than participants recruited from the West Bank and Jerusalem. The most frequently identified risk factor was ‘having a weakened immune system’ (n = 5458, 77.3%) followed by ‘infection with a sexually transmitted infection’ (n = 5388, 76.3%). The least identified risk factor was ‘having many children’ (n = 1597, 22.6%). Only 1670 women (23.7%) had good knowledge of CC risk factors. Women living in the Gaza Strip were more likely than women living in the West Bank and Jerusalem to have good knowledge (25.2% vs 22.7%). Completing a secondary or diploma degree, being employed, and having a monthly income of ≥ 1450 NIS (around $450) were all associated with lower likelihood of having good knowledge of CC risk factors. Conversely, knowing someone with cancer was associated with higher likelihood of having good knowledge. Conclusion The overall awareness of CC risk factors was low. There is a substantial need to establish educational programs to promote Palestinian women’s awareness of CC.

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Genetic diversity, haplotype analysis, and risk factor assessment of hepatitis a virus (HAV) isolates from the West Bank, Palestine during the period between 2014 and 2016

10.1101/2020.09.25.313015 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kamal Dumaidi ◽

Hayah Qaraqe ◽

Amer Al-Jawabreh ◽

Rasmi Abu-Helu ◽

Fekri Samarah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Genetic Diversity ◽

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Network Analysis ◽

Nucleotide Diversity ◽

Hepatitis A Virus ◽

West Bank ◽

Haplotype Diversity ◽

Haplotype Network ◽

The West

AbstractBackgroundHAV genotypes and its genetic diversity is rarely investigated in our region as well as worldwide.Aimsthe aims of the present study were to determine the HAV genotypes and its risk factors and to investigate the genetic diversity of the HAV isolates in the West bank, Palestine.Study designa cohort of 161 clinically and laboratory confirmed HAV (IgM-positive) cases and 170 IgM negative individuals from all the districts of the West Bank, Palestine during the period of 2014-2016 were tested for VP3/VP1 junction of the HAV genome using RT-PCR and sequence analysis. Phylogenetic analysis, genetic diversity and haplotypes analysis were used to characterize the VP3/VP1 sequences.ResultsOverall, all the 34 sequences of the HAV was found to be HAV-IB sub-genotype. The phylogenetic analysis showed four main clusters with cluster III exclusively consisting of 18 Palestinian isolates (18/23-78%) with weak bootstrap values. A high haplotype diversity (Hd) and low nucleotide diversity (π) were observed. Cluster III showed high number of haplotypes (h=8), but low haplotype (gene) diversity (Hd=0.69). A total of 28 active haplotypes with some consisting of more than one sequence were observed using haplotype network analysis. The Palestinian haplotypes are characterized by closely related viral haplotypes with one SNV away from each other which ran parallel to cluster III in the phylogenetic tree. A smaller Palestinian haplotype (4 isolates) was three SNVs away from the major haplotype cluster (n=10) and closer to haplotypes from Iran, Spain, and South Africa. Young age, low level of parent’s education, poor hand washing and drinking of un-treated water was considered the major HAV risk factors in the present study.ConclusionHAV-IB subgentype is endemic in Palestine. HAV showed low genetic variation and nucleotide diversity. Furthermore, haplotype network analysis revealed haplotype variation among the Palestinian sequences.

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