- Gaza-Palestine
- 00972599275993
- Islamic University of Gaza, Medical laboratory Sciences, Department Memberadd
- I am academic Lecturer and biomedical researcher aimed to obtain a challenging position which will allow me to exploi... moreI am academic Lecturer and biomedical researcher aimed to obtain a challenging position which will allow me to exploit my professional experiences and educational background in the fields of scientific research, education, and quality assurance.edit
Background: The human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is currently prevalent in 250 million people. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has been associated with cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver failure, and overall mortality. This study... more
Background: The human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is currently prevalent in 250 million people. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has been associated with cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver failure, and overall mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus, its genotype, mutations, and antiviral resistance in hemodialysis centers from the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Results: From the 273 HD patients participating in the study from the four HD centers in Gaza Strip, HBcAb was detected in 19 patients (6.96%), where HBsAg was detected in 12 patients (4.4%). HBV DNA was detected in 17 of the 19 positive HBcAb patients (89.47%); sequencing of the positive DNA by Sanger methods for the partial polymerase gene of HBV shows that genotype D is the only detected genotype where subgenotype D1 is the common (82.35%) followed by D2 (17.65%); Detection of reverse transcriptase antiviral resistance was done for the nucleotide analog (NUCs) Lamivudine, Adefovir, Entecavir, Tenofovir, and Telbivudine and all cases were sensitive to the mentioned antiviral. Neighbor-joining tree analysis was used to construct a phylogenetic tree with 130 reference strains with genotype D retrieved from GenBank. HBsAg positive patients had ALT and AST mean values higher than negative patients with a highly statistically signi cant relationship (p<0.01). Conclusion: Genotype D HBV is common in HD with emphasis on the signi cance of identifying genotype, mutation, and antiviral resistance among isolated positive samples because these elements are crucial to the progression of the illness, its severity, chronicity, and treatment response.
Research Interests:
Background: An increase in acute intoxication signs/symptoms indicates a serious public health problem among farmers who use organophosphate (OP) pesticides. This study aimed to assess the health effects of OP pesticides on farm workers... more
Background: An increase in acute intoxication signs/symptoms indicates a serious public health problem among farmers who use organophosphate (OP) pesticides. This study aimed to assess the health effects of OP pesticides on farm workers who deal with pesticides in Khan Yunis Governorate, Palestine. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study started in March and finished in September 2021 on a total of 120 randomly selected farmers, out of them 60 subjects that used pesticides (cases group) for six months or more. The other 60 were not exposed to pesticides (controls group), aged between 20-50 years old. Sociodemographic data, health-related data, and working-related data habits of the study population were taken by interview questionnaire. Biochemical evaluations were carried out. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 22. Results: The prevalence of abnormal plasma cholinesterase (PChE) activity among the cases group due to chemical poisoning was significantly higher as compared to those in the control group (p ≤ 0.05). The case group has higher levels of serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT, & ALP) when compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.05 for all). The kidney function indicators (creatinine and urea) were significantly higher among the cases group as compared to the control group (p ≤ 0.05 for all). The occurrence of headaches is associated with abnormal PCHE activity among farmers who on pesticides. Conclusion: The decrease in PCHE activity and increase in serum AST, ALT, ALP, urea & creatinine that were observed among farmers who were on pesticides-using in the current study indicate the adverse and toxic effects of pesticides on the liver and kidney functions among them, so these observations should be of interest to health and environmental policymakers in Palestine.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Dyslipidemia is a disorder marked by abnormal levels in any or all of the blood's lipids (e.g. triglycerides and cholesterol) or lipoproteins profile (e.g. LDL and HDL). Elevated LDL is risky and the best indicator of atherosclerosis... more
Dyslipidemia is a disorder marked by abnormal levels in any or all of the blood's lipids (e.g. triglycerides and cholesterol) or lipoproteins profile (e.g. LDL and HDL). Elevated LDL is risky and the best indicator of atherosclerosis risk. Low levels of HDL raise the risk of hypertension. Medicinal plants are thought to be a major source of novel chemical compounds with therapeutic promise. In oriental medicine, Hyphaene Thebaica (Doum) and Nillumbik Nucifera (Lotus) extract contains important active compounds, such as phenolic and flavonoids that work as an antioxidant, antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial agents. however, This study aimed to find out the effects of doum and lotus methanolic extracts on hyperlipidemic markers like lipid profile as well as hypertension parameters like; aldosterone and, angiotensin-converting enzyme and aldosterone. Methods: This experimental study was carried out in the Research Center of Experimental Animal Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banha University, in the period from March to May 2021. Forty male Wistar albino rats were categorized into four groups. The first one was the control group, whereas the hyperlipidemic and hypertensive rats were included in the last three groups. Feeding hyperlipidemic and hypertensive rats with extract of doum in the third group and lotus extract in the fourth group. Blood samples were collected from the orbital plexus and intracardiac of the rats. Blood glucose test and Lipid profiles test including TC, TGs, LDL, and HDL was determined in all groups. Also, hypertensive parameters, including aldosterone hormone and angiotensin-converting enzyme were measured. The data was analyzed using SPSS program version 23. Results: The findings reported that the effect of both extracts on lipid profile parameters, Aginotensin converting enzyme, and aldosterone were parallel in significantly lowering them (P<0.05). Doum had a strong effect on body weight but lotus had a strong effect on fasting blood glucose levels. Conclusion: Doum and Lotus methanolic extracts contain flavonoids and phenols which cause a lowering in lipid and lipoprotein profiles, angiotensin-converting enzyme, aldosterone, and body weight.
Research Interests:
Rotavirus belongs to the Reoviridae family, a group of segmented double stranded Ribonucleic acid viruses. The virus is a major cause of gastroenteritis and diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. Rotaviral gastroenteritis may... more
Rotavirus belongs to the Reoviridae family, a group of segmented double stranded Ribonucleic acid viruses. The virus is a major cause of gastroenteritis and diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. Rotaviral gastroenteritis may result in mortality for populations at risk such as infants, the elderly and immune compromised patients. Objective: This study aims to evaluate occurrence of rotavirus among under five years children with acute gastroenteritis attending Nasser complex and European Gaza Governmental Hospitals, Palestine during august 2018. Methods: Cross sectional design used in this study, Fecal samples from 100 children with ages ranging from less than 1 month to 5 years, living in the south Gaza, who presented with acute gastroenteritis and diarrhea episodes, were analyzed. sufficient quantity of faces (1-2 grams or milliliters for liquid sample one per each subject) is collected as soon as the children were admitted to the hospital by the help of their parents in...
Research Interests:
Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the last strain of coronavirus which was detected in Wuhan city in December 2019. COVID-19 has now become a pandemic disease affecting all countries in the world. This study aimed to... more
Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the last strain of coronavirus which was detected in Wuhan city in December 2019. COVID-19 has now become a pandemic disease affecting all countries in the world. This study aimed to identify the seroprevalence of COVID-19 virus infection among the workers at the University College of Science and Technology (UCST). Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between April and September 2021, sample size composed of 171 UCST employees. A predesigned questionnaire was completed and VivaDiag COVID19 IgM/IgG rapid test was utilized for the COVID19 specific antibodies screening. Results: Most of the participants (n = 87; 50.88%) were between the ages of 30 and 50 years. Results showed that the seroprevalence of COVID-19 antibodies was 23.39% IgM positive and IgG 25.73% positive. 84% (n = 144) of employees know about symptoms of COVID-19, 42.6% (n = 73) complained from at least one symptom of COVID-19. Moreover, 54.3% of th...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
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.... more
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 uri...
Research Interests:
Introduction: Hyperlipidemia increases the risk of many diseases including coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Nutritional knowledge may act as a deterrent against unhealthy nutrition trend which is strongly associated with... more
Introduction: Hyperlipidemia increases the risk of many diseases including coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Nutritional knowledge may act as a deterrent against unhealthy nutrition trend which is strongly associated with hyperlipidemia. We aim to evaluate the dietary habits and their influence on serum lipid profiles among university students. Methods: This study was an analytical descriptive design that started in June and finished in September 2018. A total of 200 students (100 males and 100 females), aged between 18-22 years were evaluated. Sociodemographic data and health-related data situations, lifestyle practices, and eating habits of the study population were reported by an interview questionnaire. The biochemical evaluation for total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and Triglycerides (TG) was carried out. A significant result means that the P-value for the hypothesis tests was less than 0.05...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
To compare type 2 diabetes prevalence among three ethnic groups resident in the Netherlands: Ghanaians, African Surinamese and Dutch origin. Secondly, to determine the contribution of measures of body composition to ethnic differences in... more
To compare type 2 diabetes prevalence among three ethnic groups resident in the Netherlands: Ghanaians, African Surinamese and Dutch origin. Secondly, to determine the contribution of measures of body composition to ethnic differences in type 2 diabetes. Baseline data from Ghanaian (n=1873), African Surinamese (n=2189) and Dutch (n=2151) origin participants of the HELIUS study (aged 18-70 years) were analyzed. Type 2 diabetes was determined according to the WHO criteria. Logistic regression tested ethnic differences in type 2 diabetes and the contribution of body fat percentage and waist-to-hip ratio. Among men, type 2 diabetes prevalence was higher in Ghanaians (14.9%) than in African Surinamese (10.4%) and Dutch (5.0%). Among women, type 2 diabetes prevalence in Ghanaian (11.1%) was higher than in Dutch (2.3%), but similar to African Surinamese (11.5%). After adjusting for age, body fat percentage and waist-to-hip ratio, the odds ratios for having type 2 diabetes were 1.55 (95% CI...
Research Interests:
Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the last strain of coronavirus which was detected in Wuhan city in December 2019. COVID-19 has now become a pandemic disease affecting all countries in the world. This study aimed to... more
Background: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the last strain of coronavirus which was detected in Wuhan city in December 2019. COVID-19 has now become a pandemic disease affecting all countries in the world. This study aimed to identify the seroprevalence of COVID-19 virus infection among the workers at the University College of Science and Technology (UCST).
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between April and September 2021,sample size composed of 171 UCST employees. A predesigned questionnaire was completed and VivaDiag COVID19 IgM/IgG rapid test was utilized for the COVID19 specific antibodies screening.
Results: Most of the participants ( n = 87; 50.88%) were between the ages of 30 and 50 years.
Results showed that the seroprevalence of COVID-19 antibodies was 23.39% IgM positive and IgG25.73% positive. 84% ( n = 144) of employees know about symptoms of COVID-19, 42.6% ( n = 73)complained from at least one symptom of COVID-19. Moreover, 54.3% of them have committed with Palestinian Ministry of Health instructions (MoH) for the prevention to combat COVID-19, 70.2% (n =120) dislike to be vaccinated against COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, the majority of subjects 92.0%were washing their hands with alcohol sanitizer, whereas 89.0% wear gloves and protective masks, and 80.0% follow social distancing.
Conclusion: Despite the vast majority of the UCST employees having moderate to high commitment with MoH instructions for the prevention of COVID-19, large part of them require awareness program about the advantages of COVID-19 vaccination.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between April and September 2021,sample size composed of 171 UCST employees. A predesigned questionnaire was completed and VivaDiag COVID19 IgM/IgG rapid test was utilized for the COVID19 specific antibodies screening.
Results: Most of the participants ( n = 87; 50.88%) were between the ages of 30 and 50 years.
Results showed that the seroprevalence of COVID-19 antibodies was 23.39% IgM positive and IgG25.73% positive. 84% ( n = 144) of employees know about symptoms of COVID-19, 42.6% ( n = 73)complained from at least one symptom of COVID-19. Moreover, 54.3% of them have committed with Palestinian Ministry of Health instructions (MoH) for the prevention to combat COVID-19, 70.2% (n =120) dislike to be vaccinated against COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, the majority of subjects 92.0%were washing their hands with alcohol sanitizer, whereas 89.0% wear gloves and protective masks, and 80.0% follow social distancing.
Conclusion: Despite the vast majority of the UCST employees having moderate to high commitment with MoH instructions for the prevention of COVID-19, large part of them require awareness program about the advantages of COVID-19 vaccination.
Research Interests:
Introduction: Palestinian college students have been undergoing a dietary transition from a traditional dietary style to a fast-food dietary style in latest years. As a result, college students are becoming increasingly overweight and... more
Introduction: Palestinian college students have been undergoing a dietary transition from a traditional dietary style to a fast-food dietary style in latest years. As a result, college students are becoming increasingly overweight and obese. Nutritional awareness of college students may serve as a deterrent to the unhealthy eating habits that are strongly linked to a variety of ailments. We aim to determine the prevalence of obesity in a sample of college students from the southern governorates, together with finding out their dietary practices, and the relationship between dietary practices and obesity among them. Methods: An analytical descriptive survey of 200 college students (100 males and 100 females), aged 20 ± 2 years were selected randomly from the University College of Sciences and Technology-Khan Yunis between October 2018 to January 2019. Data related to the eating habits of students were collected using an interview questionnaire. The survey comprised three sections: demographic information, health-related information, and lifestyle patterns. Also, anthropometric indices of the students were measured (weight, height), and the BMI was computed. The statistical analysis of data was outright by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences program (ver. 22). Results: The prevalence of obesity was more common among male students compared to females (10.0% vs. 5.0%). Further, regular breakfast and lunch consumption was reported in 53.0% and 75.5% of students respectively, although most of them (60.5%) have dinner irregularly. The majority of the participants (67.5%) eat two meals every day. Snacking and fried foods consumption was a frequent habit among students, where 34.5 % and 12.0% respectively usually consume it every day. Moreover, the percentage of students who eat vegetables and fruits once or twice weekly was 42.5%, and those who drink Carbonated beverages per week were 78.0%. Moreover, BMI had significant direct correlations with intake of lunch meal regularly (r=0.171, P = 0.015), the frequency of fried food intake (r= 0.127, P = 0.047) and the frequency of Carbonated beverages drinking per week (r=-0.229, P = 0.030). Conclusion: Despite the low incidence of obesity among the participants, the findings suggest that college students should receive nutrition education programs to minimize the propensity of obesity among them and improve their eating behaviors.
Research Interests:
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia. There is evidence that diabetics are more prone to urinary tract infection. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of silent bacteriuria in diabetic patients in... more
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia. There is evidence that diabetics are more prone to urinary tract infection. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of silent bacteriuria in diabetic patients in Khanyounis Governorate. This study is conducted on 100 DM patients and 100 healthy individual, aged 25-65 years old. The selected DM patients were non-immunocompromised, not on steroid therapy, not under antibiotic treatment and without structural abnormalities in their urinary tract. Demographic characteristics of the study population and clinical information and UTI situation of DM patients were collected by interview questionnaire. The percentage of population who had positive bacterial culture results was 23.0% of DM patients vs. 17.0% of the controls group. E.coli was the most common organism that causing asymptomatic bacteriuria in diabetic (9.0%) followed by S.epidyrmidus (5.0%) followed by Klebsiella and ٍS.saprophyticus with the same percen...
Research Interests:
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses a systemic drug to kill cancer cells wherever it finds in the body. It implements their actions through intervention with molecular mechanisms such as some core regulatory enzymes,... more
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses a systemic drug to kill cancer cells wherever it finds in the body. It implements their actions through intervention with molecular mechanisms such as some core regulatory enzymes, molecular processes, or immune-related pathways during cell division and proliferation. Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines (IPs) are nitrogen-based heterocycles that have a wide variety of biological activities. This review highlights the anticancer properties of chemotherapy and the problems facing it as an anticancer therapy, Furthermore, it reviews the available works of literature focused on the potential efficacy of IPs-based compounds in cancer treatment, and discuss the molecular mechanisms driving its anticancer effects; through clarification the targets associated with cancer. This review also will benefit the research community in the field of anticancer agent discovery by introducing the IPs as novel therapeutic agents. Various In-vitro studies have shown different IPs-based compounds have potential therapeutic effects against different cancer cell lines including; breast, liver, colon, cervical, lung, and kidney cancers. The anticancer effects of these compounds primarily result from their inhibitory effects on different molecular mechanisms including, PI3K/Akt, CENP-E, IGF-1R, CDKs, Tubulin Polymerization Inhibition, and c-Met inhibition.
Research Interests:
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... more
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 socioeconomic 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.
Research Interests:
Introduction: End-Stage Renal Disease patients (ESRD) on maintenance Haemodialysis (HD) are at high risk of acquiring Cytomegalovirus (CMV). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of CMV infection among HD... more
Introduction: End-Stage Renal Disease patients (ESRD) on maintenance Haemodialysis (HD) are at high risk of acquiring Cytomegalovirus (CMV). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of CMV infection among HD patients from Nasser's medical complex and Abu Yousef Al Najjar Hospital Southern Gaza strip. Methods: This study was an analytical cross-sectional from March to September 2019. Serum samples were taken from 96 patients (51.1% of them from Nasser medical complex and 48.9% of them from Abu Yousef Al Najjar Hospital), analyzed for CMV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) by using the Chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) techniques, questionnaire, and Virological identification. Results: CMV-IgG was detected in 80 patients (83.3%), were 16 patients (16.7%) were CMV IgG Negative. The prominent risk factors were HD duration time, Receiving Injection, and previous blood transfusion. Conclusion: The prevalence of CMV infection among HD patients in the Southern Gaza strip was very high. We recommend that HD patients should be vaccinated against CMV.
Research Interests:
Background: Little is known about the prevalence and risk factors of diabetes among Gaza Palestinians, 64% of whom are refugees with exceeded sugar intake. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its association... more
Background: Little is known about the prevalence and risk factors of diabetes among Gaza Palestinians, 64% of whom are refugees with exceeded sugar intake. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its association with added sugar intake among residents, with regular visits to primary healthcare centers (PHCs) across Gaza. Methods: From October to December of 2019, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1000 citizens and refugees in nine PHCs selected from the five governorates of the Gaza Strip. Information on dietary intake, medical history, and other risk factors was collected by trained health workers, using structured questionnaires. Anthropometry and biochemical data were extracted from the PHC medical record system. Results: Overall, the prevalence of diagnosed T2D and undiagnosed T2D were 45.2% and 16.8%, respectively, in adults aged 42 to 74 years, with the differences among citizens and refugees (diagnosed: 46.2% vs. 43.8%; undiagnosed: 15.7% vs. 18.2%). The uncontrolled glycaemic rate was 41.9% and 36.8% for diagnosed patients in citizens and refugees, respectively. Among those without a clinical diagnosis of T2D, after multivariable adjustment, daily added sugar intake was positively associated with fasting glucose and the risk of undiagnosed T2D (odds ratio, 95% CI, highest vs. lowest intake, was 2.71 (1.12-6.54) (p for trend < 0.001). In stratified analysis, the associations between added sugar intake and the risk of undiagnosed T2D tend to be stronger among refugees or those with higher body mass index. Conclusions: Among Palestinian adults, both citizens and refugees are affected by T2D. Added sugar intake is associated with the risk of undiagnosed T2D.
Research Interests:
Introduction: Hyperlipidemia increases the risk of many diseases including coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Nutritional knowledge may act as a deterrent against unhealthy nutrition trend which is strongly associated with... more
Introduction: Hyperlipidemia increases the risk of many diseases including coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Nutritional knowledge may act as a deterrent against unhealthy nutrition trend which is strongly associated with hyperlipidemia. We aim to evaluate the dietary habits and their influence on serum lipid profiles among university students. Methods: This study was an analytical descriptive design that started in June and finished in September 2018. A total of 200 students (100 males and 100 females), aged between 18-22 years were evaluated. Sociodemographic data and health-related data situations, lifestyle practices, and eating habits of the study population were reported by an interview questionnaire. The biochemical evaluation for total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and Triglycerides (TG) was carried out. A significant result means that the P-value for the hypothesis tests was less than 0.05 at confidence intervals 95%. Results: Male students were more likely to be healthier eating habits compared to female students in terms of regular breakfast intake, regular lunch intake, and regular dinner intake. The majority of students (67.5%) eat two to three meals per day. Most students (60.0%) thought that eating meats, vegetables and other variety of foods are the keys to point of a balanced diet. On the other hand, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was significantly higher in male students than females and, the prevalence of elevated LDL was higher in female students than males. Conclusion: Despite the students having some unhealthy eating habits, however, their eating habits were non significantly associated with a higher prevalence of the three hyperlipidemias.
Research Interests:
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.... more
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.
Research Interests:
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disease caused by deficiency in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Poor quality of life contributes to decreased personal care, which in turn contributes to worsening glycemia... more
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disease caused by deficiency in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Poor quality of life contributes to decreased personal care, which in turn contributes to worsening glycemia control, enhanced risk of diabetic complications. This study aimed to determine the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for diabetics as compared to gender-age matched control living in southern Gaza, Palestine. Methods: This study was a case-control. About 100 DM patients and age-sex matched 100 controls were randomly selected from the department of internal medicine at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khanyunis Governorate and the community. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-short version (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to evaluate the quality of life among the study population. Results: Those with diabetics, the HRQOL was significantly lesser than for controls in all domains with the largest differences in the environmental domains (difference of 5 points) and tinier differences in physical health, psychological health & social relationships (2, 3 and 3 points difference) (<0.001 for all). Low ratings in the field of social relations in both groups with tiny differences between them have been registered (3 points). Furthermore, there were no differences in mean of scores for all domains according to gender. Conclusion: The study population's total HRQOL (diabetics and controls) was poor. Health program must be developed to encourage improve dietary habits, healthier lifestyle, promote exercise, discourage smoking, avoid complications of diabetes and appropriately handle chronic diseases.
Research Interests:
Introduction: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors including central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure (BP). It viewed as the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and... more
Introduction: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors including central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure (BP). It viewed as the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). We aim to determine the prevalence of MetS among Palestinian college students using the definition proposed by the international diabetes federation (IDF). Methods: This study was a cross-sectional. A total of 100 male students and 100 age-matched female students were randomly selected. Personal, clinical, and lifestyle data of the students were gathered by questionnaire. Anthropometric and biochemical indices were measured. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. Results: Male students were more active in their lifestyle, more obese, hypertensive, hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia than female students (p≤0.05). The most common MetS criteria among the students were low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 31.0%, large waist circumference (WC) 14.0%, high Glucose 12.5%, high Triglycerides (TG) 8.5%, and high blood pressure (BP) 6.0%. MetS occurrence in the current study was 7.0% with 8% of women and 6% of men having MetS. Obese students had the greatest occurrence of high WC and elevated BP compared to those in other students (p≤0.05). Furthermore, obese students had a higher prevalence of MetS than found among other students. Conclusion: MetS is found among college students in Palestine. It also appears that obesity contributes to the high incidence of MetS. Early diagnosis and treatment of MetS risk factors and healthier lifestyle promotion lead to decrease the risk of MetS occurrence.
Research Interests:
Background: Rotavirus belongs to the Reoviridae family, a group of segmented double stranded Ribonucleic acid viruses. The virus is a major cause of gastroenteritis and diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. Rotaviral... more
Background: Rotavirus belongs to the Reoviridae family, a group of segmented double stranded Ribonucleic acid viruses. The virus is a major cause of gastroenteritis and diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. Rotaviral gastroenteritis may result in mortality for populations at risk such as infants, the elderly and immune compromised patients.
Objective: This study aims to evaluate occurrence of rotavirus among under five years children with acute gastroenteritis attending Nasser complex and European Gaza Governmental Hospitals, Palestine during august 2018.
Methods: Cross sectional design used in this study, Fecal samples from 100 children with ages ranging from less than 1 month to 5 years, living in the south Gaza, who presented with acute gastroenteritis and diarrhea episodes, were analyzed. sufficient quantity of faces (1-2 grams or milliliters for liquid sample one per each subject) is collected as soon as the children were admitted to the hospital by the help of their parents in clean and dry containers (no preservatives or transport media are used). The samples was been tested immediately using an immune chromatography-based diagnostic kit (Novamed Ltd, Jerusalem).The study was conducted during the peak diarrheal season August of the year 2018.
Results: Rotavirus was detected in 35% of the fecal specimens examined, and most of positive tested patients (86%) were under 24 months old, the infection rates was increase with the decreasing of the age. Children infected with rotavirus were more likely to be watery stool 65.7%, fever 60%, vomiting 82.8% and dehydration 68.6%.
Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that Percentage of positive samples among children younger than 5 years still nearly the same or slightly higher than that have been detected in Gaza since 2006. Reflect that no effectiveness of vaccine in reducing morbidity or infection.
Keywords: Rotavirus, Gastroenteritis, Gaza, Palestine.
Objective: This study aims to evaluate occurrence of rotavirus among under five years children with acute gastroenteritis attending Nasser complex and European Gaza Governmental Hospitals, Palestine during august 2018.
Methods: Cross sectional design used in this study, Fecal samples from 100 children with ages ranging from less than 1 month to 5 years, living in the south Gaza, who presented with acute gastroenteritis and diarrhea episodes, were analyzed. sufficient quantity of faces (1-2 grams or milliliters for liquid sample one per each subject) is collected as soon as the children were admitted to the hospital by the help of their parents in clean and dry containers (no preservatives or transport media are used). The samples was been tested immediately using an immune chromatography-based diagnostic kit (Novamed Ltd, Jerusalem).The study was conducted during the peak diarrheal season August of the year 2018.
Results: Rotavirus was detected in 35% of the fecal specimens examined, and most of positive tested patients (86%) were under 24 months old, the infection rates was increase with the decreasing of the age. Children infected with rotavirus were more likely to be watery stool 65.7%, fever 60%, vomiting 82.8% and dehydration 68.6%.
Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that Percentage of positive samples among children younger than 5 years still nearly the same or slightly higher than that have been detected in Gaza since 2006. Reflect that no effectiveness of vaccine in reducing morbidity or infection.
Keywords: Rotavirus, Gastroenteritis, Gaza, Palestine.
Research Interests:
Smoking is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis & coronary heart disease (CHD). dyslipidemia has been shown to be a significant coronary heart disease risk factor. This study is a case-control, conducted between June to... more
Smoking is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis & coronary heart disease (CHD). dyslipidemia has been shown to be a significant coronary heart disease risk factor. This study is a case-control, conducted between June to November 2016, and aimed to find out the effect of cigarette smoking and hookah consumption on lipid profiles among the adult population. A total of 200 adults out of them 50 subjects were a non-smoker (controls group) and the other 150 were smokers (cases group), aged between 20-55 years and collected from Rafah Governorate. Personal & demographic data and clinical data situation of the study population were taken by interview questionnaire. Biochemical evaluations were carried out. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS-18. The findings showed that there was a significant difference between the mean ± SD of lipid profile in the controls group and the mean ± SD of lipid profile in seven cases sup-group (P < 0.05). Further, there was a statistically significant relationship between the mean ± SD of lipid profiles levels and years of cigarettes smoking among cigarettes smokers group (p=0.000). In contrast, among hookah smokers group, a statistical significance relation between the mean ± SD of TC level and years of hookah smoking is reported (p=0.010). Cigarette and hookah smokers had appeared with high progressing towards the emergence atherosclerosis and coronary risk factors; because, mostly, they were having high serum TC, TGs, LDL-C, and low serum HDL-C levels as compared to nonsmokers, and these findings agree with most of the previous studies.
Research Interests:
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardio-metabolic risk factors including central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension (HTN). It is considered to be a leading cause for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and... more
Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardio-metabolic risk factors including central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension (HTN). It is considered to be a leading cause for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Also, patients with MetS have high mortality rate. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of MetS among University College of Science and Technology (UCST) young students using the definition of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATPIII). The study sample was consisting of 200 students (100 males and 100 females). Sociodemographic data, clinical data, life style status and dietary habits of the study population were taken by interview questionnaire. Anthropometric and biochemical evaluation were carried out. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The most prevalent MetS parameters in the total sample were low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 31.0%, large waist circumference (WC) 14.0%, high Glucose 12.5%, high Triglycerides (TG) 8.5% and high blood pressure (BP) 6.0%. Further, the percentage of female students who had high WC was higher than thus in male students. Based on NCEP ATP III definition, the prevalence of MetS in the total sample was 10.0%, with 8.0% of females and 12.0% males having MetS. There is an evidence for the presence of MetS among UCST students. It also appears that males have high incidence of MetS as compared to females. Early detection, intervention for MetS risk factors & improve dietary habits, healthier life style & promote exercise contributes to reduce the risk of MetS development.
Research Interests:
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) is seen in DM patients who smoke,... more
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) is seen in DM patients who smoke, have lipid abnormalities and hypertension and are obese.
Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the lipid profile levels and other CHD risk factors among DM patients in an urban region (Gaza governorate) with those of the rural region (the eastern region of Khanyounis Governorate) of Gaza Strip. Methods: The study is cross-sectional and included 200 DM patients, aged 10-65 years, whose diabetes was identified for at least two years. The samples of this study were taken from diabetic service units in the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, Gaza governorate and primary healthcare clinics, eastern region of Khanyounis. Personal and clinical data of the study subjects were collected using an interview questionnaire. Anthropometric evaluation were carried out. Serum was used to determine fasting blood glucose and lipid profiles automatically by chemistry spectrophotometer. Results: There was a statistically significant difference among the study population according to physical activity (P=0.004). Moreover, High levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) (≥240mg/dl) were seen in 39.0% of urban group and 23.0% of rural group. High low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels (≥160mg/dl) were observed in 15.0% of urban group and 8.0% of rural group. However, there was a statistically significant difference among the study population according to the total cholesterol and LDL levels (P=0.041and 0.002 respectively). On the other hand, there were no statistically significant differences among the study population according to triglycerides and HDL levels (P= 0.153 and 0.594 respectively).
Conclusions: The urban group patients have more coronary risk factors which could lead to an actual coronary heart disease when compared with those in the rural region.
Keywords:
Diabetes mellitus, Lipid profiles, Coronary heart disease, Gaza Strip.
Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the lipid profile levels and other CHD risk factors among DM patients in an urban region (Gaza governorate) with those of the rural region (the eastern region of Khanyounis Governorate) of Gaza Strip. Methods: The study is cross-sectional and included 200 DM patients, aged 10-65 years, whose diabetes was identified for at least two years. The samples of this study were taken from diabetic service units in the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, Gaza governorate and primary healthcare clinics, eastern region of Khanyounis. Personal and clinical data of the study subjects were collected using an interview questionnaire. Anthropometric evaluation were carried out. Serum was used to determine fasting blood glucose and lipid profiles automatically by chemistry spectrophotometer. Results: There was a statistically significant difference among the study population according to physical activity (P=0.004). Moreover, High levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) (≥240mg/dl) were seen in 39.0% of urban group and 23.0% of rural group. High low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels (≥160mg/dl) were observed in 15.0% of urban group and 8.0% of rural group. However, there was a statistically significant difference among the study population according to the total cholesterol and LDL levels (P=0.041and 0.002 respectively). On the other hand, there were no statistically significant differences among the study population according to triglycerides and HDL levels (P= 0.153 and 0.594 respectively).
Conclusions: The urban group patients have more coronary risk factors which could lead to an actual coronary heart disease when compared with those in the rural region.
Keywords:
Diabetes mellitus, Lipid profiles, Coronary heart disease, Gaza Strip.
Research Interests:
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia. There is evidence that diabetics are more prone to urinary tract infection. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of silent bacteriuria in diabetic patients in... more
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia. There is evidence that diabetics are more prone to urinary tract infection. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of silent bacteriuria in diabetic patients in Khanyounis Governorate. This study is conducted on 100 DM patients and 100 healthy individual, aged 25-65 years old. The selected DM patients were non-immunocompromised, not on steroid therapy, not under antibiotic treatment and without structural abnormalities in their urinary tract. Demographic characteristics of the study population and clinical information and UTI situation of DM patients were collected by interview questionnaire. The percentage of population who had positive bacterial culture results was 23.0% of DM patients vs. 17.0% of the controls group. E.coli was the most common organism that causing asymptomatic bacteriuria in diabetic (9.0%) followed by S.epidyrmidus (5.0%) followed by Klebsiella and ٍS.saprophyticus with the same percentage (3.0%) followed by Pseudomonas and Proteus with percentages (2.0% and 1.0%) respectively. On the other hand, E. coli was the most common organism that causing asymptomatic bacteriuria in controls group (2.0%), followed by Citrobacter, Proteus and S.epidyrmidus with the same percentage (1.0%). Moreover, there was a statistically correlation between bacterial culture results of diabetic patients and the duration of diabetes (P=0.006). Urinary tract bacteria pathogens were isolated more in diabetics than in controls. E.coli is the predominant organism that causing asymptomatic bacteriuria in diabetics and controls group. The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among DM patients is directly proportional with diabetes duration.
Research Interests:
Background: Liquid soap used in hospitals dispensers can become contaminated bacteria. Many factors have an effect on the contamination of these dispensers. This study aimed to investigate the bacterial contamination in liquid soaps at... more
Background: Liquid soap used in hospitals dispensers can become contaminated bacteria. Many factors have an effect on the contamination of these dispensers. This study aimed to investigate the bacterial contamination in liquid soaps at hospital environment in Khanyounis Governorate. Methods: A total of 82 liquid soap samples (50.0% them from Nasser hospital and 50.0% from European Gaza Hospital) were collected in sterile cups from the same departments of both hospitals. After that, the cups were transported within one hour of collection to the microbiology laboratory. Bacteriological identification was performed. Collected data, and bacteriological identification results were analyzed by SPSS version 18. Results: In Nasser hospital, only one sample were found colonized by staph aureus, and two samples were found colonized by other staph, While, In European Gaza Hospital, 12 samples were colonized by staph aureus, and 13 samples were colonized by other staph. Open dispenser systems and washing of dispensers with water were directly proportional with bacterial growth in liquid soap among study hospitals environments (p-value = 0.033 & 0.000 respectively). In European Gaza Hospital, the departments with the largest number of contaminated soap samples were the pediatric department (n=6), surgery men department (n=4), surgery women department (n=4), Intimal women department (n=4). Conclusions: The contamination of liquid soap in European Gaza Hospital is attributed to high number of open dispenser systems (27 dispensers) that was observed in its departments, in addition to using of water instead of chlorine bleach for washing the dispensers before putting the new liquid soap.
Research Interests:
Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of Ramadan fasting on anthropometric measures and some biochemical parameters among type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients in Gaza Governorate, Gaza Strip. Materials and methods: The... more
Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of Ramadan fasting on anthropometric measures and some biochemical parameters among type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients in Gaza Governorate, Gaza Strip. Materials and methods: The design of the study is a case control (2:1). The study was carried out during the last Ramadan (late of July to August, 2011) in Gaza Governorate. A total of 80 patients suffering from the diabetes type 2, aged 40 to 65 years, have no history of diabetic complications or other diseases and treated with the same of oral hypoglycemic drugs (OHD), and compared with 40 healthy individuals as control. Anthropometric and biochemical analysis were carried out one week before Ramadan and one week before its end. Data (obtained through questionnaire interview) were analyzed using SPSS version 14. Results: The mean (± SD) of age of the participants was 53.21 (± 7.459) years for diabetic patients and 54.84 (± 6.798) years for controls (p>0.05). When the results were summed up and compared statistically, there was a statistically significant reduction in the mean of body weight (p=0.038 and p=0.000 respectively) and body mass index (BMI) (p=0.001 and p=0.000 respectively) at the end of Ramadan month in both groups as compared to pre-Ramadan. This study also found a statistically reduction in the mean (± SD) of serum fasting blood glucose (FBG) during Ramadan as compared to values before Ramadan in both groups (p=0.000 and p=0.000, respectively). A statistically significant increase in the mean (± SD) of serum triglycerides (TG) levels was also observed at the end of fasting among diabetic group (p-value=0.000). Among diabetic group, the mean (± SD) of HDL-C levels also showed significant reduction (P=0.000), while significant elevation in control group was observed (P=0.000) during Ramadan as compared to values before Ramadan. There was also statistically significant elevation in the mean (± SD) of serum total cholesterol (TC) (p-value=0.000 in both groups) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p-value=0.000 in both groups) during the period of fasting as compared to the period before fasting in both groups. In addition, during the two periods, there were no statistical differences in the mean (± SD) of serum creatinine (p=0.0.193 and p=0.147 respectively) and urea levels (p=0.560 and p=0.143 respectively) in both groups. Concerning the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), the results also showed no statistical differences in the mean (± SD) of HbA1c levels (p=0.133 and p=0.905 respectively) in both groups. Conclusion: Ramadan fast is relatively safe among type 2 diabetic patients provided that they should be properly educated about drug regimen adjustment, diet control, daily activities and possible sudden complications.
Research Interests:
Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from autoimmune destructions of β cells lead to lack or sever reduction in insulin secretion. Coronary heart disease... more
Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from autoimmune destructions of β cells lead to lack or sever reduction in insulin secretion. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is more prevalent among DM patients than other population. Higher risk of CHD is seen in DM patients who are smokers, have lipid abnormalities, obese, and hypertension. Objective: The overall aim of this study is to evaluate serum lipid profiles of patients with T1DM in comparison with age matched controls in Gaza Strip, Palestine. Materials and Methods: This study was a case control started in Jan, 2014 and finished in Sept, 2014. A total of 50 T1DM patients as a cases group and 100 age-matched healthy individuals as a controls group, aged between 3-18 years. Personal & demographic data, and clinical data situation of the study population were taken by interview questionnaire. Anthropometric and biochemical evaluation were carried out. Collected data and biochemical analysis were analyzed using SPSS version 18. Results: There was no statistically differences among the study subjects with respect to age (P=0.729). Regarding to gender, there was a statistically difference among the study subjects with respect to gender (P=0.014). Concerning the body mass index (BMI), the results reported that there was no statistically difference among the study subjects with respect to BMI (P=0.146). Regarding lipid profiles, this research found that the percentage of high serum triglycerides (TGs) levels was significantly higher among diabetic patients than in controls (p=0.001), However both of them have normal TGs levels, generally. Moreover, despite of both of T1DM and controls in generally, have a normal levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), there were no statistically significant differences among both of them according to these biochemical parameters (p>0.05). On the other hand, there was no relationship between the lipid profiles in T1DM patients and the gender, family history and duration of DM, and BMI, except that, elevation of TGs levels was significantly higher in diabetic males as compared to diabetic females (p=0.011). Conclusions: T1DM patients group and control group were appeared with little or no progressing towards the emergence atherosclerosis and coronary risk factors; because, mostly, they were having normal serum TC, LDL-C &, TGs with low or normal BMI.
Research Interests:
Background: Hyperlipidemia increases the risk of many diseases including coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Nutritional knowledge may act as a deterrent against unhealthy nutrition trend which is strongly associated with... more
Background: Hyperlipidemia increases the risk of many diseases including coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Nutritional knowledge may act as a deterrent against unhealthy nutrition trend which is strongly associated with hyperlipidemia.
Objective: To evaluate the dietary habits and their influence on serum lipid profile among university students.
Materials and Methods: This study was an analytical descriptive design started in June and finished in September 2018. A total of 200 students (100 males and 100 females), aged between 18-22 years were evaluated. Sociodemographic data and health-related data situation, lifestyle practices, and eating habits of the study population were reported by an interview questionnaire. The biochemical evaluation for total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and Triglycerides (TG) was carried out. Collected data and biochemical analysis were analyzed using SPSS version 20.
Results: Male students were more likely to be healthier eating habits compared to female students in terms of regular breakfast intake, regular lunch intake, and regular dinner intake. The majority of students (67.5%) eat two to three meals per day. Most students (60.0%) thought that eating meats, vegetables and other variety of foods are the key to point of balanced diet. As well as there was a gender difference among the study population according to eating fried food. On the other hand, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was significantly higher in male students than females and, the prevalence of elevated LDL was higher in female students than males.
Conclusions: Despite the students having some unhealthy eating habits, however, their eating habits were non significantly associated with a higher prevalence of the three hyperlipidemias.
Objective: To evaluate the dietary habits and their influence on serum lipid profile among university students.
Materials and Methods: This study was an analytical descriptive design started in June and finished in September 2018. A total of 200 students (100 males and 100 females), aged between 18-22 years were evaluated. Sociodemographic data and health-related data situation, lifestyle practices, and eating habits of the study population were reported by an interview questionnaire. The biochemical evaluation for total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and Triglycerides (TG) was carried out. Collected data and biochemical analysis were analyzed using SPSS version 20.
Results: Male students were more likely to be healthier eating habits compared to female students in terms of regular breakfast intake, regular lunch intake, and regular dinner intake. The majority of students (67.5%) eat two to three meals per day. Most students (60.0%) thought that eating meats, vegetables and other variety of foods are the key to point of balanced diet. As well as there was a gender difference among the study population according to eating fried food. On the other hand, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was significantly higher in male students than females and, the prevalence of elevated LDL was higher in female students than males.
Conclusions: Despite the students having some unhealthy eating habits, however, their eating habits were non significantly associated with a higher prevalence of the three hyperlipidemias.