Checklist of the Birds of the Gaza Strip—Palestine

Bird fauna checklists are important tools in ecology, biology, and conservation planning for scientists, stakeholders, and decision-makers. Despite its small area, the Gaza Strip (365 km2) has a relatively large variety of resident and migratory bird fauna. Therefore, the current study aimed to provide an updated checklist of all bird fauna living in or inhabiting the Gaza Strip. Direct field observations using binoculars, continuous visits to zoos, pet stores and biology museums, discussion with bird hunters, follow-up of news and social networking sites, review of scientific publications and photography were the main tools to satisfy the purpose of the study. At least 250 bird species collected from different sources occur in the Gaza Strip and are included in the checklist. This list will not be static, but is inevitably subject to additions and changes in the face of times. The current 250 bird species of the Gaza Strip represent 45.4% of the 551 species of birds living in Palestine. The bird species were found to belong to 21 orders and 61 families. The Passeriformes (passerines) represented the largest order with 96 species of birds (38.4%), followed by the Charadriiformes 54 (21.6%), the Accipitriformes 18 (7.2%), Anseriformes 17 (6.8%) and Pelecaniformes 14 (5.6%), while the other orders represented the remaining percentage (20.4%). With regard to families, the Scolopacidae represented the largest family with 22 species of birds (8.8%), followed by the Anatidae and Accipitridae 17 for each (6.8%), the Muscicapidae 16 (6.4%) and Chariidridae and Fringillidae 11 for each (4.4%), while the other families represented the remaining percentage (62.4%). According to the IUCN regional threat categories, 226 species (90.4%) were Least Concern (LC), 12 (4.8%) were Near Threatened (NT), 6 (2.4%) were Vulnerable (VU), 4 (1.6%) were Endangered (EN) and 2 (0.8%) were Critically Endangered (CR). In conclusion, the study recommends a sustainable control of bird hunting and trafficking in addition to building prestigious centers and museums for studying and documenting birds in the Gaza Strip.

An Inventory of Some Relatively Large Marine Mammals, Reptiles, and Fishes Sighted, Caught, By-Caught, or Stranded in the Mediterranean Coast of the Gaza Strip-Palestine

The Mediterranean Sea is home to an interesting biodiversity. The current cumulative and descriptive study aims to enumerate some relatively large marine mammals, reptiles, and fishes that have been spotted, caught, by-caught, or stranded on the coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine, which extends about 42 km along the Mediterranean Sea. This 20-year study from 2003 to 2022 relied much on frequent field visits, meetings, and discussions with stakeholders, following local media sites and social media pages, and photography. The study recorded at least 26 giants or relatively large marine organisms on the Mediterranean coast of the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Certainly, the coming years may bring other marine organisms of relatively large sizes. Marine mammals included three species of cetaceans with the Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) being the largest mammal and even the largest animal ever recorded in this study. Marine reptiles included three species of sea turtles, the largest of which is the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), which is in fact the world’s largest sea turtle. The bony fishes were represented by ten species, the largest of which was the Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), which is the largest bony fish in the world. The cartilaginous fishes included ten species with the largest specimens encountered were the Shortfin Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), Bluntnose Sixgill Shark (Hexanchus griseus), Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini), and Giant Devil Ray (Mobula mobular). Seabirds were not included in the study. The Alexandria Pompano (Alectis alexandrinus) and the Silver-Cheeked Toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), which are bony fishes, appear to be the relatively smallest marine organisms recorded here. In conclusion, the role of the various parties must be coordinated to ensure the sustainability of human activities and their compatibility with the task of conserving local marine biota, including the gigantic or relatively large ones.

The Palestinian Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Preserved at the Biology Exhibitions of the Universities of the Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip(365 km^(2))of Palestine(27,000 km^(2))is home to a wealth of terrestrial vertebrate fauna.Some of these faunistic species find their ways to preservation at the local universities.Hence,the current study comes to document the Palestinian terrestrial vertebrate fauna acquired by the biology exhibitions(BEs)of Al-Azhar University,Islamic University of Gaza and Al-Aqsa University that are located at the Gaza City of the Gaza Strip.The amphibians,reptiles,birds and mammals preserved at BEs of the universities in question were surveyed and scientifically classified during a three-month period extending from January to March,2012.The study showed that all BEs of local universities are underdeveloped,lacking attention and suffer from specimen scarcity and good preservation.The BE at Al-Azhar University is the best in the arrangement and preservation of bird specimens.A total number of 200 specimens belonging to 54 terrestrial vertebrate fauna species,39 families and 17 orders was recorded at BEs.Reptiles constituted 40.7%of the total species recorded,followed by birds(38.9%),mammals(14.8%)and amphibians(5.6%).The Islamic University of Gaza was considered the best in terms of the number of preserved species(39.8%),followed by Al-Azhar University(36.3%)and Al-Aqsa University(23.9%).The Common Toad(Bufo viridis)was the most preserved among the amphibian species recorded.Squamata was the biggest reptilian order,comprising 20 species(8 lizards and 12 snakes),with the Syrian Black Snake(Coluber jugularis asianus)was the commonest.The Palestine Viper(Vipera palaestinae)is endemic to Palestine and most venomous and dangerous to human health.The Great White Pelican(Pelecanus onocrotalus)was the largest Palestinian bird preserved at BE of Al-Azhar University.The Egyptian Mongoose(Herpestes ichneumon)and the Common Badger(Meles meles)were the biggest mammalian specimens preserved,while the Palestine Mole-rat(Spalax leucodon ehrenbergi)was the only Palestine endemic species encountered among the preserved mammals.Finally,the improvement of BEs of local universities and the construction of a Central Museum of Natural History is highly recommended in order to change the Palestinians’attitudes toward a sustainable ecological conservation in the Gaza Strip.

Etiological risk factors for subfertility among Palestinian women in Gaza

The inability to procreate is frequently considered a personal tragedy and a hardship for couples, impacting on the entire family and even the local community. In Gaza strip, Palestine, there has been no study on etiological risk factors for subfertility. The present study aimed to identify risk factors associated with subfertility among women in Gaza, Palestine. One hundred and sixty-nine women in the study group and 115 women in the control group were included. Cases were selected randomly from those referred to the A1 Basma Fertility Center, Gaza, Palestine. Data were collected through close-ended questionnaire, sonography, hormonal analysis and thrombophilia profile that included the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase （MTHFR 677 C 〉 T）, factor V leiden （1691 G 〉 A） and pro- thrombin （20210 G 〉 A） genes. By using univariate analyses, the effects of different patient-related variables on the presence of subfertility were evaluated. A multiple logistic regression model was constructed, crude and adjusted odds ratios （OR） and 95% confidence intervals （95% CI） were calculated. The findings showed that 73.5 % （169/230） of the women referred to the A1 Basma Center sought treatment for subfertility. Different etiological risk factors were associated with subfertility, the most frequent of which in descending order were： thrombophilic disorders, fallopian tube problems, sex hormone abnormalities and polycystic ovary syndrome with an adjusted OR of 21.42, 13.63, 11.69 and 10.29, respectively. In conclusion, several etiological risk factors are responsible for subfertility among women in Gaza. Comprehensive evaluation of infertile women should be considered in the course of treatment; otherwise, the duration of sterility may be extended.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Gaza Strip, Palestine Using GIS Mapping

A Geographical Information System (GIS) tool was used to construct thematic maps for groundwater quality in the Gaza Strip. Environmental data were integrated and an overall picture about the spatial variation in the groundwater quality of the Gaza Strip was defined. The integrated spatial maps helped to refine information on land use, soil types, depth to groundwater table, environmental “hot spots”, and contaminant concentra-tions of the study area. The groundwater quality maps have been derived from the results of an eight-year monitoring program for major anions, cations and heavy metals. An environmental hot-spots map was de-rived from potential contaminating sources, showed direct and indirect influences on groundwater quality. The GIS maps showed not only contaminant distributions but also illustrated the need to improve the groundwater quality management methods. Several contaminants pose great problems in the water of Gaza. Integration of water data and GIS maps for all parameters revealed that there is probably no drinking water in Gaza according to the WHO standards. Moreover, the new maps of 2008 could be used as base-line for water planners and policy makers as well as guidelines for the Palestinian people to manage and protect their groundwater. Increased water demand from population and economic growth, environmental needs, land use changes, urbanization, groundwater mining, deterioration of water quality, pollution from local and diffuse sources, environmental hot-spots and impacts on public heath and ecosystems are all factors that can create a severe water quality crisis as well as water shortage problems.

Adsorption of Diuron and Linuron in Gaza Soils

This study investigated the adsorption potential of diuron and linuron in selected soil samples collected from agricultural area of Gaza Strip, Palestine and correlated the adsorption results to the soil properties. The adsorption experiments are based on the batch equilibrium technique and UV-Spectrophotometer method to determine the equilibrium concentration of both herbicides. Results of adsorption experiment showed that linuron and diuron are adsorbed in various amounts in Gaza soils according to the variation in pH, organic matter and clay content. Adsorption isotherms of both herbicides were linear in the tested concentration. Fitting the adsorption data to Freundlich equation showed good fitting and Freundlich constants were less than one indicating physical adsorption processes. It is concluded that soil organic matter and pH affect the adsorption of both herbicides. These results provided a better understanding of the behavior of diuron and linuron in Gaza soils.

Effectiveness of Air Sparging Technology in Remediation of Gaza Coastal Aquifer from Gasoline Products

Groundwater contamination becomes a great concern in many countries. One of the most important pollutants is hydrocarbons. Sources of Hydrocarbons pollutants in Gazacan be a result of accidental spills of petroleum products on the surface and uncontrolled disposal of wastewater. One of the common technologies for groundwater aquifer remediation from hydrocarbons is known as air sparging. In this study, a120 cm×100 cm×80 cmlaboratory scale aquifer model was implemented in order to investigate the effectiveness of air sparging technology in removal of petroleum products from contaminated site. Four pilot scale wells were installed at different depths and different spatial distribution. The central well was used for injecting air and the surrounding three wells were used for monitoring. The contaminated water and soil were tested for total organic carbon, lead, dissolved Oxygen and pH;one time before the start of treatment and four times through the treatment process. Total organic carbon in water and soil before air injection were 980 ppm and 0.08775 ppm, respectively. After air injection for three weeks (six hours daily) at flow rate range from 15 to20 L/min and at pressure range from 300 to 400 kPa, the concentration of pollutant was decreased to 4.0 ppm and 0.0 ppm in water and soil, respectively. Based on the results, it was clearly demonstrated that air sparging is a simple, effective and affordable technology that can be applied forGazaaquifer remediation in case of gasoline spill accidents.

Ornithofauna Prevailing at Al-Mawasi Ecosystem of the Gaza Strip, Palestine

In spite of its small area, Palestine (27,000 km2) is home to more than 500 species of ornithofauna, inhabiting all types of terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The Gaza Strip (365 km2), which represents 1.5% of Palestine, has a considerable number of ornithofaunistic species as well. Al-Mawasi ecosystem (14 m2), which lies in the far south-west of the Gaza Strip, has never been orinthologically studied. Thus, the current study comes to survey the ornithofauna prevailing at Al-Mawasi ecosystem as a natural to semi-natural environment. Ornithofauna were monitored using direct observations and binoculars for the lasted ten years (2009-2018). A total number of 135 ornithofaunistic species, belonging to 45 families and 17 orders were encountered at Al-Mawasi ecosystem. Passeriformes was the largest order and comprised 57 (42.2%) of the recorded species, while the non-passerines constituted the remaining 78 species (57.8%). Muscicapidae was the largest among the recorded families;represented by 13 species (9.6%), and followed by 10 species of Scolopacidae, (7.4%), 8 species of Ardeidae and Fringillidae (5.9%) for each and 7 species of Accipitridae (5.0%). Aquatic ornithofaunistic species represented 44 (32.6%) of the total species recorded, while the terrestrial ones represented 91 (67.4%). The Palestine Sunbird (Nectarinia osea) is a common endemic Palestinian species in Al-Mawasi ecosystem. The Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) has become an actual source of financial income for its catchers, and as a result, it is extensively hunted in vast areas of the Gaza Strip. Finally, the study recommends carrying out more research on ornithofauna inhabiting the natural, agricultural and urban environments of the Gaza Strip. The establishment of a specialized center dealing with bird surveys and conservation is very essential in the Gaza Strip, which is an actual hot spot experiencing an escalating environmental degradation.

Modeling the Impact of Land-Use Change on Water Budget of Gaza Strip

Gaza has a water crisis and faces serious challenges for the future sustainability of its water resources. Land-use change has an expected effect on water budget of the Gaza Strip. Three different land cover scenarios;the and cover of 2007, land cover of 2020, and full urbanization land cover were simulated independently using The Automated Geospatial Watershed Assessment (AGWA) tool which work under the umbrella of GIS. In general, the simulation results indicate that land-cover changes will significantly alter the hydrologic response of Gaza region. Percolation is expected to decrease in all options as urban areas are expanded where as the simulated surface runoff reflected a relative departure from the first scenario comparing with other scenarios. In the baseline scenario (2007), the simulated surface runoff and percolation represent 12% and 41% respectively from the water budget components of the Gaza Strip. In year 2020, these values were expected by the simulation results to be 20% and 27% respectively. A unique linear relationship between the relative change in urban area and the corresponding relative change in surface water has been investigated from the simulation results. The analysis of the three urbanization scenarios can give decision makers better understand for the future situation and assist them to advance towards achieving sustainable development planning for water resources system in the Gaza Strip.

An Investigation into Substation Grounding and Its Implementation on Gaza Substation

An investigation into the optimal design of a substation grounding system for the transmission substation in Gaza City, Palestine has been carried out. A research into the most influential parameters on the effectiveness of the substation grid system has been performed and its results have been incorporated into the Gaza case study. Through modelling and simulating the power station in Gaza while considering some field data, an optimal substation grounding grid has been designed and has shown complete conformance to safety. It is thus considered that such a design will protect personnel in any area of the substation in addition to the installed machinery if the largest possible fault current was to traverse the earth.

Analysis of Different Rare Metals, and Rare Earth Metals in Harvested Rain Water in Gaza Strip/Palestine by ICP/MS-Data and Health Aspects

This rain water samples harvested for drinking and agriculture from Gaza collected in November 2012 were analyzed for different rare metals (Rb, Zr, Ti, Tl, Sb, Sc, Y), and rare earth metals (La, and Ce). These metals usually have no maximum acceptable limits as there is no sufficient data about their toxicity to human health. Their control should be therefore controlled in water to monitor their concentration in water (ground, harvested, etc.). This study was conducted to determine the water quality of harvested water which is used for drinking in the study area. 43 water samples were collected in November 2012 during the first rain from house wells and rain water pools. The concentrations of the metals detected in the collected harvested rainwater vary significantly between the 43 samples, and all of them were detected in all water samples analyzed in this study. The results obtained from this study suggest a possible risk to the population of the study area given the high concentration of some metals that have no maximum allowed concentration, and the fact that for many people in the study area, harvested rain water is a main source of their water supply.

Customized Standalone GIS-Based Tool for Ground Water Quality Assessment: Gaza Strip as a Case Study

Employing the full versions of GIS software with its numerous functions to manage case-specific applications is becoming inconvenient for many reasons. A convenient solution that is spreading worldwide to solve this problem is to develop customized tools that use the same GIS concept to meet specific applications. The water resource department in Gaza strip has been facing technical and financial difficulties in using the full GIS versions in managing groundwater resources. Thus, the objective of this paper was to develop a customized standalone GIS-Based ground water quality assessment tool (GWQAT) to be used by the water resources management department in Gaza strip. GWQAT was developed using Microsoft visual basic programming language, a regression mathematical model, map objects, and map files generated from ESRI ARC Info. GWQAT was designed to achieve many functions such as mapping, map overlaying, buffering, charting, soil hydro-geological profiling, and predicting future groundwater quality parameters variations. The simplicity and validity of GWQAT was demonstrated by its application on the groundwater quality parameters in Gaza strip wells with emphasis on chloride concentration.

The integration of FAO-CropWat Model and GIS Techniques for Estimating Irrigation Water Requirement and Its Application in the Gaza Strip

In the Gaza Strip irrigation practices are only based on the farmer’s own experience, they determine when and how to irrigate crops based on the appearance of the soil and the climatic conditions. Even though FAO-CropWat model is used for many countries to estimate irrigation water requirements, it is rarely used for Gaza Strip. In the current re-search, it is the first attempt to model the historical available meteorological data to estimate the irrigation water requirements for the most common cultivated crops (citrus, almonds, date palms, grapes) and to compare the results with the farmer irrigation practices. The model results show that, the reference evapotranspiration accounts for 1451 ± 5 mm/year. Therefore the irrigation water requirements estimated to be 763, 722, 1083, 591 mm/year in average for Citrus, Almonds, Date palm, Grapes, respectively. The farmer irrigation practice exceeding the irrigation water requirement by 30%. The spatial distribution of irrigation water requirements in the entire area of Gaza Strip is shown on maps derived by GIS technique based on data from eight meteorological stations. Irrigation water quality is not optimal in the Gaza Strip, chemical analysis of irrigation wells indicate high salinity and SAR ratio. The obtained results from the model could be a good management tool for the planners and decision makers to minimize the overexploitation of the groundwater and to build fair and strict regulations to optimize the water use in agricultural sector in the Gaza Strip which characterized by semi-arid region.

Prevalence of enteric pathogen-associated community gastroenteritis among kindergarten children in Gaza

Gastroenteritis is considered as one of the leading causes of illness and death in children under 5 years age, especially in developing countries. It is one of the major public health problems among childhood in Gaza strip, Palestine. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of enteric pathogen-associated community gastro- enteritis among kindergarten children in Gaza. A total of 150 stool samples were collected and investigated for parasitic, viral and bacterial pathogens at Al Azhar microbiology laboratories by using standard microbiological and serological procedures. Out of the 150 study samples, the overall percentage of positive stool samples with a known enteric pathogen was 60.6%. The prevalence of different enteric pathogens causing community gastroenteritis among symptomatic cases （88.5%） was significantly higher than the prevalence in asymptomatic carriage （11.1%）. The most prevalent isolated enteric pathogens were Entamoeba histolytica （28.0%） and Giardia lamblia （26.7%）. Rotavirus was found in 3.1% of symptomatic cases but not detected in asymptomatic carriage. However, adenovirus type 40 and 41 were not detected in any of the study samples. The bacterial enteric pathogens Shigella and Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157：H7 （EHEC） have comparable occurrence as rotavirus （3.1%）, meanwhile, Salmonella was not isolated. Mixed infection with more than 1 pathogen was found （11.4%） only among symptomatic cases. Children aged 3-year-old showed the highest prevalence of community gastroenteritis. This study demonstrates a high prevalence of parasitic enteropathogens and a relatively low prevalence of bacterial and viral enteropathogens among kindergarten children living in Gaza city, moreover, children aged 3 years old showed the highest prevalence of isolated enteropathogens.

Water Quality in the Gaza Strip: The Present Scenario

The Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, 4505 people per km2 and the only source of water is represent by groundwater. The water quality in Gaza is very poor and the groundwater is affected by many different contaminants sources including soil/water interaction in the unsaturated zone due to recharge and return flows, mobilization of deep brines, sea water intrusion or upcoming and disposal of domestic and industrial wastes into the aquifer. Previous reports on the water quality in Gaza discussed the high levels of major ions (especially of chloride, nitrate and fluoride) in the drinking water. Moreover, little or no information is available for trace elements in the groundwater of the Gaza Strip. The sources of trace elements in groundwater could be natural and anthropogenic. 58 wells were sampled during July 2010, and were analyzed major ions and trace elements to check if the water quality is improving from the previous report. This study has revealed that no groundwater in Gaza Strip meets all WHO drinking water standards. The contaminants which affected the Gaza Strip are of different types and they originate from different sources. The environmental conditions are no safe for the population and some actions to improve the groundwater conditions are necessary to safeguard the population.

Slaughterhouses Wastewater Characteristics in the Gaza Strip

Slaughterhouses generate considerable quantities of wastewater due to the huge amount of blood produced from slaughtering process and the need for cleaning and hygiene of meat. Due to the extraordinary content of organics and minerals, wastewater from slaughterhouses needs special care and treatment for safe disposal to the environment. Currently, wastewater from slaughterhouses in the Gaza Strip is discharged to the public networks without any treatment burdened central wastewater treatment plant, where partially treated effluent discharged to the sea. The aim of this research is to characterize the wastewater from Gaza slaughterhouse to identify the best approach for treatment. Samples from the slaughterhouse were collected during working hours and analysed for physical and chemical parameters. The pH, EC, DO, BOD, TSS, COD, Ammonia Nitrogen and TKN account for 7.1, 3300 μsm, 1.95, 2350, 3500, 4502, 30 and 154 mg/l, respectively. Wastewater from Gaza city slaughterhouse is within the range in comparison to other wastewater from slaughterhouses all over the world.

Evaluation of the Impact of the Ongoing Water Resource Management Plans on Nitrate Concentration in Gaza Coastal Aquifer Using Modeling Approach

Groundwater crisis in Gaza includes two major folds: shortage of water supply and contamination. The groundwater pollution by nitrates increased rapidly as a result of wastewater leakage, sewage sludge, animal manure and N-fertilizers. The aims of this study are to obtain the impacts of implementing the Gaza Emergency Technical Assistance Programme (GETAP) on the nitrate concentration in groundwater in Gaza Strip using modeling approach. A flow and transport model using a three dimensional, finite difference simulation model (VMODFLOW Pro.) was applied to simulate the Gaza coastal aquifer (GCA). The approach for selecting the management scenarios was carried out depending on the GETAP projects and focuses into the aquifer system during the next 24 years. It was estimated that work as usual scenario will raise the average nitrate concentration by 8.15 mg/l annually, while upgrade and maintain pipe work scenario will reduce the rising of average nitrate concentration by 4.51 mg/l annually. This means that the average nitrate concentration will increase by only 3.63 mg/l annually. Also, it was estimated that scenarios imported water from Israel, construction of short term low volume desalination plant (STLV), Construction of two regional desalination plant and Reuse of treated wastewater in addition to decrease N-fertilizer will annually increase the average nitrate concentration by only (4.67, 2.78, 3.87, 2.15) mg/l, respectively. The results show that applying all the scenarios together will decrease the average nitrate concentration by 2.44 mg/l annually. Regionally, the best scenario to solve the increasing of nitrate concentration problem is a combination of those scenarios. In domestic areas, the best scenarios is STLV and upgrading and maintaining pipe work. In Agriculture areas, the best scenario and the only one that has significant effect is the reuse of treated wastewater in addition to decrease N-fertilizer.

Mental Health and Quality of Life of Disable Palestinian Children in the Gaza Strip

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of mental health problems and quality of life among Palestinian disable children. The sample consisted of 391 disable Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip which was selected randomly from the data base of two NGOs working with such group of children. The age of children ranged from 6 - 18 years with mean age (11.73). Instruments: The children and adolescents demographic data were collected by questionnaire include sex, age, class, and place of residence, Gaza Child Health Study Scales (parents and children forms), and The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory generic core (version 4.0) scale. The results showed that children reported mean conduct disorder was 1.33;oppositional disorder was 5;mean overanxious was 6.75;separation anxiety mean was 6.36;and depression was 7.57. There were statistically significant differences toward boys in depression. According to parents, mean conduct disorder mean was 1.94;mean oppositional disorder was 6.09;mean overanxious was 7.47;separation anxiety mean was 6.48;and mean depression was 9.6. The study showed that mean depression in boys was 10.4 compared to 8.9 in girls. There were statistically significant differences toward boys in depression. Parents of children with physical disabilities reported more overanxious problems in their children compared to other parents with other types of disabilities (vision, mental, and multiple). Also, parents of children with physical disability had more separation anxiety than other groups (mental and multiple disabilities). Quality of life of children was scored by children themselves;mean emotional functioning was 8.24;mean social functioning was 6.65;school functioning mean was 9.17;and cognitive functioning was 8.57. The study showed that mental health problems rated by children such as conduct disorder was positively correlated with emotional and cognitive functioning;oppositional disorder was correlated with emotional, social, and cognitive function;overanxious disorder was correlated emotional, school, and cognitive functioning;separation anxiety was correlated emotional functioning;and depression was correlated emotional, social, and cognitive functioning.

Comorbidity of post traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit with hyperactivity, conduct, and oppositional defiant disorder in Palestinian children affected by war on Gaza

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of war on children and comorbidity of post traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit with hyperactivity, conduct, and oppositional defiant disorder in Palestinian children. Methods: The study was conducted in the entire Gaza Strip 6 months after the end of the war on Gaza that lasted for 23 days. The study sample included 410 children aged 6 to 17 years. Children completed measures of experience of traumatic events (Gaza Traumatic Checklist-War on Gaza), post traumatic stress disorder index, attention deficit with hyperactivity scale for parents and self, conduct disorder scale, and oppositional defiant disorder. Results: Palestinians children investigated 6 months after the war on Gaza still reported traumatic experiences: 94.6% heard the sonic sounds of the jet fighters, 91.7% heard shelling of the area by artillery, 92% watched mutilated bodies on television, 80% were deprived from water or electricity during the war, 50.7% said they left home for safer place. Using Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) criteria for post traumatic stress disorder, 25.1% of children reported no psychological reactions, 25.9% of children reported one criteria, 39.3% of children reported partial post traumatic stress disorder and 9.8% of children reported full criteria for post traumatic stress disorder. According to the parents’ report, the results showed 31.3% of children met the criteria for inattentive type, 36.3% of children were impulsive and 29% met criteria for combined type. According to the children’s report, the results showed 28.8% of children met the criteria for inattentive type, 37.3% of children were impulsive and 28.3% met criteria for combined type. Using DSM-IV diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder, the study showed that 38.1% of parents reported conduct disorder in their children and 46.3% reported oppositional defiant disorder. While 39.3% of children themselves reported conduct disorder and 44% of them reported oppositional defiant disorder. The study showed that 5.1% of children had comorbidity of post traumatic stress disorder and attention deficit disorder, 4.4% had comorbidity of post traumatic stress disorder and impulsivity-hyperactivity disorder, and 4.4% had comorbidity of post traumatic stress disorder and attention deficit with hyperactivity combined type. Also, 4.6% of children had comorbidity of conduct and post traumatic stress disorder and 6.1% had comorbidity of oppositional defiant disorder and post traumatic stress disorder. Conclusions: This study revealed that children living in areas of conflict and war are the main group at risk of developing post traumatic stress disorder and other behavioral problems including attention deficit with hyperactivity, conduct, and oppositional defiant disorder, and the internationallaws must protect the civilians during the conflict, establishing safe havens for children and their families to decrease the effect of war on children.

Prostate Cancer Diagnostic and Evaluation in Gaza-Strip, Palestine

Prostate cancer has the third highest cancer incidence in Palestinian men with incidence rate about 4.5/100,000, and an increase in new cases by 50% between 2000 and 2015. Prostate cancer death rates have been obviously decreased in many countries due to treatment, precise screening. The current study aims to review and evaluate the new diagnosed prostate cancer in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. As a cross-sectional, quantitative and analytical approach based on structured review, the current study was conducted at Al-Shifa and European hospitals (main oncology departments in governmental hospitals). Interviews with newly diagnosed cancer prostate patients were carried out during the period of March and June, 2014;a total of 41 newly diagnosed with primary cancer prostate. Furthermore, demographic, health status, medical investigations and tests are reported from oncologists and hospital archives over the last five years (2010-2014). The current study showed that there were 41 new prostate cancer cases in three months with incidence rate 5.1 per 100,000. The highest rate of incidence was among the patients above age of 70+, 70 - 74 (29.3%). The results showed that 58.1% of the patients were smokers, and 22.6% used to smoke, while 16.1% responded they don’t smoke at all. The most common type of treatment used by participants was chemotherapy therapy followed by hormonal therapy and prostatectomy. The least common methods used for treatment were radiation therapy and combination of hormonal, radiation, and chemotherapy as only 5 participants used each type of these treatment options. The prevalence of prostate cancer was higher among men who lived in Gaza Governorate compared to other governorates. Limited use of radiation therapy was due to the unavailability of this treatment in Gaza Strip.