Perceptions of undergraduate medical students on artificial intelligence in medicine: mixed-methods survey study from Palestine.

BACKGROUND: The current applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine continue to attract the attention of medical students. This study aimed to identify undergraduate medical students' attitudes toward AI in medicine, explore present AI-related training opportunities, investigate the need for AI inclusion in medical curricula, and determine preferred methods for teaching AI curricula. METHODS: This study uses a mixed-method cross-sectional design, including a quantitative study and a qualitative study, targeting Palestinian undergraduate medical students in the academic year 2022-2023. In the quantitative part, we recruited a convenience sample of undergraduate medical students from universities in Palestine from June 15, 2022, to May 30, 2023. We collected data by using an online, well-structured, and self-administered questionnaire with 49 items. In the qualitative part, 15 undergraduate medical students were interviewed by trained researchers. Descriptive statistics and an inductive content analysis approach were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. RESULTS: From a total of 371 invitations sent, 362 responses were received (response rate = 97.5%), and 349 were included in the analysis. The mean age of participants was 20.38 ± 1.97, with 40.11% (140) in their second year of medical school. Most participants (268, 76.79%) did not receive formal education on AI before or during medical study. About two-thirds of students strongly agreed or agreed that AI would become common in the future (67.9%, 237) and would revolutionize medical fields (68.7%, 240). Participants stated that they had not previously acquired training in the use of AI in medicine during formal medical education (260, 74.5%), confirming a dire need to include AI training in medical curricula (247, 70.8%). Most participants (264, 75.7%) think that learning opportunities for AI in medicine have not been adequate; therefore, it is very important to study more about employing AI in medicine (228, 65.3%). Male students (3.15 ± 0.87) had higher perception scores than female students (2.81 ± 0.86) (p < 0.001). The main themes that resulted from the qualitative analysis of the interview questions were an absence of AI learning opportunities, the necessity of including AI in medical curricula, optimism towards the future of AI in medicine, and expected challenges related to AI in medical fields. CONCLUSION: Medical students lack access to educational opportunities for AI in medicine; therefore, AI should be included in formal medical curricula in Palestine.

E-cigarette use among university students in Palestine: Prevalence, knowledge, and determinant factors.

BACKGROUND: Recent reports indicated accelerated rates of e-cigarette use, especially among youth in various Middle Eastern countries, including Palestine. Nevertheless, little is known about knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding this topic in Palestine. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of e-cigarette use among Palestinian university students, along with their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about e-cigarette use. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study, utilizing an online self-administered questionnaire, was conducted on Palestinian students from five universities between 17/04/2023 and 04/11/2023. RESULTS: A total of 1002 Palestinian university students completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of e-cigarette use among students was 18.1%. The mean knowledge score about e-cigarettes was significantly lower among the users of e-cigarettes compared to non-users. E-cigarette use was significantly associated with the participants' smoking status. Among e-cigarette users, 43.6% were also current traditional cigarette users, and 66.9% were current waterpipe users. E-cigarette use was significantly associated with having a friend who is a smoker and/ or a smoking mother. Binary logistic regression revealed a significant positive effect between the participant's smoking status, the mother's smoking status, knowledge about e-cigarettes, and the use of e-cigarettes (p-value < 0.05). Among e-cigarette users, 18.8% used them in indoor places at the university, and 25% reported using them daily in the past month. Affordability of e-cigarettes was the most reported reason for their use (47.5%). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that e-cigarette use is prevalent and rapidly rising among university students in Palestine. This is worrisome as it is significantly associated with insufficient knowledge about the adverse health effects of E-cigarette use, and its addictive nature. These findings focus on the importance of improving the students' knowledge about e-cigarette use by implementing educational campaigns and considering age regulations on e-cigarette availability and use.

Postpartum depression symptoms: prevalence, risk factors, and childbirth experiences in Palestine.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide mothers are suffering from postpartum depression (PPD) which impairs mothers' well-being, children, and families, and leads to adverse outcomes for mothers and their growing newborns. Low and middle-income countries have a higher prevalence of PPD and limited studies about it. This study assessed the percentage of Palestinian mothers experiencing PPD nationally, identified mothers at a higher risk of PPD, and studied the correlation between PPD and mistreatment during childbirth. METHODS: The study is based on a secondary data analysis from a cross-sectional study in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). A total of 745 telephone-based interviews with mothers were done within 2-4 weeks post-childbirth. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used as a screening tool for PPD. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used for analyzing the data. RESULTS: In the context of descriptive epidemiology, we observed that 12.6% of the selected Palestinian mothers experienced PPD, with a higher occurrence of PPD among mothers living in the Gaza Strip, a politically and economically unstable region in Palestine, compared to mothers living in the West Bank (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOD: 2.2, Confidence Interval (CI): 1.4-3.44). Older mothers were two times more likely to develop PPD compared to young mothers (AOR: 2.03, CI: 1.070-3.84). Mothers who experienced disrespectful behaviors represented by any abuse, negligence, abandonment, ineffective communication, or poor pain management in childbirth settings were more likely to report PPD than those who were not exposed to the disrespect. CONCLUSION: A notable percentage of Palestinian mothers were identified as experiencing PPD, especially among mothers who experienced mistreatment in childbirth settings. It is essential to support healthcare providers to improve their practices and attitudes to eliminate mistreatment and abusive behaviors of mothers during childbirth.

Zoom out: An intervention on the virtual learning environment improves minority students' grades in two field experiments in Israel.

Closing the achievement gap for minority students in higher education requires addressing the lack of belonging these students experience. This paper introduces a psychological intervention that strategically targets key elements within the learning environment to foster the success of minority students. The intervention sought to enhance Palestinian minority student's sense of belonging by increasing the presence of their native language. We tested the effectiveness of the intervention in two field experiments in Israel (n > 20,000), at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when all classes were held via Zoom. Lecturers in the experimental condition added a transcript of their names in Arabic to their default display (English/Hebrew only). Our findings revealed a substantial and positive impact on Palestinian student's sense of belonging, class participation, and overall grades. In experiment 1, Palestinian student's average grade increased by 10 points. In experiment 2, there was an average increase of 4 points among Palestinian students' semester grade. Our intervention demonstrates that small institutional changes when carefully crafted can have a significant impact on minority populations. These results have significant implications for addressing educational disparities and fostering inclusive learning environment.

[JEWISH MEDICAL STUDENTS FROM THE BRITISH MANDATE OF PALESTINE/ERETZ ISRAEL - THEIR FINAL MD EXAMINATION IN BERLIN DURING THE THIRD REICH].

INTRODUCTION: Two Jewish medical students who were forced to discontinue their study upon the raise of the Nazi regime, returned/ immigrated to Palestine and did their internship in Palestine. A third student, although faced with many procedural limitations, was able to continue most of his studies in Berlin including passing the MD examination. The first two students returned, after some years, to Berlin to sit for the Doctor examination which enabled them to gain a permanent medical license in Palestine. We describe the different backgrounds of the 3 students which enabled them to do the examination at Berlin's medical faculty during the Nazi regime. The follow up of the three, revealed glorious medical career during the British mandate and during the first years of the new state of Israel. The Dissertations were signed and supported by three leading Professors of the Berlin's Faculty. Two of them were found to have a National-Socialistic background.

A Comparison of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Characteristics Among Israeli Arabs and Jews: Analysis of Two Cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease involving apocrine gland-bearing regions. There is an under-representation of non-Caucasians in epidemiologic studies of HS. The characteristics of HS in Israeli Arabs have not yet been studied. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the demographic and clinical profile of HS in the Israeli Arab population. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in two cohorts of patients with HS in Israel. The patients were derived from the database of a large health management organization (n=4191, 639 Arabs; population-based) and a major tertiary medical center (n=372, 49 Arabs). Demographic and clinical data were compared between ethnic groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of HS in Israeli Arabs was found to be 0.5%, fivefold higher than in Jews. Arab patients were younger (35.3 vs. 40.5 years, P < 0.001) and mostly male (52% vs. 35.7%, P < 0.001), with lower rates of co-morbidities, including smoking (40.8% vs. 55.7%, P < 0.001), hyperlipidemia, and depression as well as a higher rate of dissecting cellulitis (10.2% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.008). HS was more severe in Arabs, but of shorter duration, with mainly axillary involvement (79.6% vs. 57.9%, P = 0.004). Treatment with hormones was more common in Jews, and with biologic agents in Arabs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest a different phenotype of HS in Arabs, warranting further study.

The prevalence and severity of upper gastrointestinal complications among patients with chronic diseases: a cross-sectional study from Palestine.

BACKGROUND: Many old people have at least one chronic disease. As a result, multiple drugs should be used. Gastrointestinal complications may occur because of the harmful effects of these chronic drugs on the stomach. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal complications in patients taking chronic medications, the severity of these symptoms, and whether they take any gastro-protective drugs or not. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study through face-to-face questionnaires from internal outpatient clinics at a specialized hospital. Patients with chronic diseases who were taking at least one chronic medication were included in the study. Data Collection Form was used to gather information. The Short-Form Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire (SF-LDQ) was used to evaluate the severity of the upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. RESULTS: A total of 400 patients with chronic diseases and using multiple medications were included. Among them, 53.8% were females and 56% were married, 58.5% were unemployed, 70% were not smokers, the mean age was 54.7 ± 17.5 years. The most common comorbid diseases among the patients were diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis, with percentages of 44.3%, 38%, and 27.3%, respectively. The mean number of chronic medications used was 3.36 ± 1.6 with a range of 1 to 9. The most commonly used was aspirin with a percentage of 50%, followed by atorvastatin, bisoprolol, and insulin with percentages of 29.5%, 25%, and 20.3%, respectively. Among the 400 participants, 362 (90.5%) suffered from upper gastrointestinal side effects like indigestion (65.8%), heartburn (78.3%), nausea (48.8%), and regurgitation (52.0%). Based on SF-LDQ scoring, of the 400 respondents, 235(58.8%), 109(27.3%) and 18(4.5%) suffered from mild, moderate and severe dyspepsia, respectively. A high percentage 325 (81.3%) of participants were prescribed gastro-protective medications. Proton pump inhibitors were the most prescribed group in 209 (52.3%) patients. Dyspepsia was significantly associated with older age (p-value = 0.001), being educated (p-value = 0.031), not being single (p-value < 0.001), having health insurance (p-value = 0.021), being a smoker (p-value = 0.003), and using ≥ 5 medications (p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Upper gastrointestinal complications among patients with chronic diseases were very common. Fortunately, the symptoms were mild in most cases. The risk increased with age and using a higher number of medications. It is important to review patients' medications and avoid overuse of them, in addition to use gastro-protective agents when needed.

War on healthcare services in Gaza.

This article looks at the October 2023 war on Gaza in the context of the effects of wars on healthcare systems. I will begin with a brief historical overview of the so-called Israeli-Palestinian conflict to clarify the special status of the Gaza Strip and the hostilities since October 7, 2023. This will be followed by a description of the major distinguishing characteristic of this war, namely, the systematic assault on the healthcare system. Finally, I will attempt to explain the conduct of this war using a necropolitical lens.

Understanding the interplay of colorectal cancer awareness and attitudes among Palestinians: a national cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In Palestine, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality after lung cancer. No studies have examined the relationship between CRC awareness and attitudes. This study aimed to investigate the interplay between CRC awareness and attitudes among the Palestinian population. METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was carried out between July 2019 and March 2020. Convenience sampling was used to collect data from hospitals, primary healthcare facilities, and public areas in 11 governorates. Modified, translated-into-Arabic versions of the validated Bowel Cancer Awareness Measure and Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale were utilized to assess the awareness of CRC signs/symptoms, risk factors, and causation myths. The cumulative awareness score for each domain was computed and stratified into tertiles. The top tertile denoted 'high' awareness, while the remaining two tertiles denoted 'low' awareness. RESULTS: The final analysis included 4,623 participants; of whom, 3115 (67.4%) reported positive attitudes toward CRC. In total, 1,849 participants (40.0%) had high awareness of CRC signs/symptoms. There was no association between displaying a high awareness of CRC signs/symptoms and having positive attitudes toward CRC. A total of 1,840 participants (38.9%) showed high awareness of CRC risk factors. Participants with high CRC risk factor awareness were more likely to display positive attitudes toward CRC (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.07-1.39). Only 219 participants (4.7%) had high awareness of CRC causation myths. Participants with high awareness of CRC causation myths were more likely to exhibit positive attitudes toward CRC (OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.71-3.58). CONCLUSION: A high awareness level of CRC risk factors and causation myths was associated with a greater likelihood of demonstrating positive attitudes toward CRC in terms of perceived susceptibility, importance of early detection, and consequences of developing the disease. Future educational interventions should focus on raising public awareness about CRC, with a particular emphasis on risk factors and causation myths, to maximize the potential for shaping favorable attitudes toward the disease.

Meaning-focused coping as a cultural process: A mixed quantitative and PhotoVoice study of adolescents with Arab backgrounds overcoming stigma and harassment.

Poor mental health among U.S. adolescents has reach epidemic proportions, with those from the Middle East and North African region exhibiting increased risk for distress and suicide ideation. This mixed-methods study analyzes quantitative data from first- and second-generation Arab adolescents (n = 171) and qualitative data from a participatory study conducted with 11 adolescents of the same population to understand the role of cultural resources in coping. Drawing on the Intersectional Theory of Cultural Repertoires in Health, we show that: 1) cultural resources underlie meaning-making throughout coping; 2) coping strategies are inseparable from the influence of peer and familial relationships, as dictated through the social norms and other cultural resources; 3) collectively held repertoires of coping can promote belonging, affirm identity, and protect against discrimination; and 4) the outcomes of coping strategies, and the culturally informed meaning individuals make of these outcomes, influence their future coping behaviors.

Evaluation of knowledge and attitudes regarding Alzheimer's disease and related dementia among medical students in Palestine: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Dementia, a major global health concern, is an acquired disorder that causes a progressive decline in cognitive abilities, affecting learning and memory, language, executive function, complex attention, perceptual-motor skills, and social cognition. Our study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes regarding dementia and Alzheimer's disease among medical students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 393 medical students in Palestine from August 2023 to November 2023. The assessment of knowledge and attitude toward dementia was measured using the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) and Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the mean between the groups with a 5% significance level. RESULTS: The overall mean score of the student's knowledge of dementia measured by the ADKS was 18.91 (±3.32 SD) out of 30. The mean score of the student's attitude toward dementia measured by the DAS was 91.68 (±3.32 SD). Clinical students had higher ADKS scores than pre-clinical students (p-value < 0.001). No significant differences in the knowledge and attitudes toward dementia were found between males and females. The medical students' knowledge and attitude scores were positively correlated (ρ = 0.227, p-value <0.001). CONCLUSION: Palestinian medical student's knowledge about Alzheimer's disease and dementia is insufficient, with students in the clinical phase showing better understanding than pre-clinical students. The findings highlight a necessity for enhancing the dementia curriculum and conducting further studies to evaluate training's impact on students' knowledge and attitudes.

Psychological effects of anti-Arab politics on American and Arab peoples' views of each other.

Disparaging rhetoric about Arab people was prevalent during Donald Trump's political rise in the United States. Although this rhetoric was intended to energize conservative Americans, it also echoed throughout many liberal parts of the United States and around the world. In this research, we experimentally examined the effects of such rhetoric on American and Arab people's attitudes and visual representations of each other before and after Trump was elected. Although people overwhelmingly reported not liking the negative rhetoric, the rhetoric alone did not influence explicit and implicit intergroup biases in either location, as measured by feeling thermometers and Implicit Association Tests. However, the election outcome moderated the way rhetoric influenced how American and Arab people visually represented each other. Our research sheds light on nuanced effects of global politics on various information processing stages within intergroup perception.

Factors associated with physical inactivity among Palestinians with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated in resource-limited settings.

This study determined the prevalence and the associated factors with meeting the recommended amount of physical activity among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients receiving care in resource-limited settings of the West Bank of Palestine. Physical activity was assessed using the World Health Organization's Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Associations were examined using multivariate logistic regression. Of the 302 patients included, 117 (38.7%) met the recommended amount of physical activity. Being younger than 58 years [aOR = 2.1 (95% CI 1.0-4.3], were employed [aOR = 2.3 (95% CI 1.1-4.9)], had high income [aOR = 3.9 (95% CI 1.3-11.9)], had thought that physical activity was crucial for T2DM patients [aOR = 32.7 (95% CI 3.9-275.5)], did not have comorbidities [aOR = 2.2 (95% CI 1.1-4.4)], had normal weight [aOR = 2.8 (95% CI 1.3-6.0)], and those who were overweight [aOR = 2.6 (95% CI 1.1-6.0)] were more likely to meet the recommended amount of physical activity compared to the patients who were 58 years or older, had low income, did not think that physical activity was crucial for T2DM patients, had comorbidities, and were obese, respectively. There is a need to increase physical activity among T2DM patients in resource limited settings.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, simultaneously diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus in an Arabic female: an agonizing combination.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare, benign condition affecting young Oriental-Asian females. It is characterized by fever and tender cervical lymphadenopathy with an unclear aetiology, and in most longitudinal reviews, KFD occurs before systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Herein, the case of a 28-year-old Kuwaiti female without any relevant past medical history, who was simultaneously diagnosed with KFD and SLE following an Ebstein-Barr virus infection, is reported. The patient was treated with oral prednisolone, hydroxychloroquine, cyclosporin, and belimumab and her response was clinically and biochemically favourable. Although KFD is prevalent in Asian populations, it may affect all races. Early diagnosis of KFD is difficult, particularly when simultaneously diagnosed with SLE, but crucial to preventing inappropriate therapy. Clinicians need to know about this rare disease, especially when patients present with fever and swollen lymph nodes, due to a risk of misdiagnosis with tuberculosis or lymphoma, as these are more often thought to be the cause of such symptoms.

Identity, culture, and feminism: Golda Meir - Israel's prime minister (1969-1974).

Like most historical leaders, Israel's fourth prime minister, Golda Meir, is a controversial figure. Some consider her the worst prime minister in Israel's history, who was responsible for Israel's lack of preparedness for the Yom Kippur War, and others perceive her to be the only 'man' who stood in the way of Arabs' countries victory over Israel. Some view her to be conservative, not brilliant, dogmatic, masculine, and racist, and some others, as a simple, modest, warm, and empathetic woman. The authors bridge between these two conflicting views by employing theories of identity, culture, and gender role bias to investigate how Golda Meir's early age trauma caused by pogroms against Jews, cultural transition between Russia, the USA, and Mandatory Palestine, and serving as a powerful woman leader in an all-men political system, influenced her personal and political behaviour and her public image.

Arab male physicians' perceptions about their own smoking behaviors: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of disease, disability, and death worldwide. Although physicians have high levels of health literacy with awareness of the consequences of smoking and their essential role in smoking cessation of patients, some physicians continue to smoke. Rates of smoking among Arab male physicians are high. This study aimed to gain insights into Arab male physician's perceptions of their own smoking behaviors and their professional role in health promotion. METHODS: Using purposive sampling, we recruited 25 Arab male physicians working in hospital and community clinic settings who currently smoke. Semi-structured, hour-long, interviews were held during January-June 2022. We then performed a thematic analysis of the interview data. RESULTS: The analysis revealed three categories, two sub-categories, and 15 emerging themes. The category 'Antecedents: prior to becoming a physician' revealed the themes: smoking experience during adolescence; social and ethnic culture; stress during medical studies; and on & off periods of quitting smoking. The category 'Physicians' perception of smoking' was sorted into two sub-categories: (1) Personal aspects, including the themes 'relaxation from stress', 'self-compensation', 'addiction', and 'enjoyable experience', and (2) Professional aspects, including the themes 'lack of knowledge about cessation', 'inadequate workplace support', 'motivation to consult patients', and 'awareness of their role as primary care physicians'. The category'Impacts' revealed the themes 'personal health and well-being', 'professional competence', and 'professional image in public'. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an in-depth understanding of the personal, socio-cultural, and professional aspects of the phenomenon of Arab male smoking physicians from their perspective. Based on this information, we recommend developing programs that support and empower all physicians to cope better with their personal and professional stress as well as instituting programs that will provide all physicians with specific knowledge and skills related to smoking cessation. These programs should improve the ability of physicians to serve as positive role models for their patients for preventing and ceasing smoking, thus enhancing the image of the medical profession and, most importantly, improving the health of the public.

The development and validation of the Palestinian children's traumatic events checklist in a war-torn environment.

Traumatic experiences in childhood can lead to trauma symptoms and impaired mental health, especially when children are exposed to war and political violence. Despite significant attention to child's exposure to traumas, few instruments to detect potentially traumatic events have been validated psychometrically. Our study aimed to develop, adapt and validate a user-friendly traumatic events checklist in Palestinian children living in three areas affected by low-intensity war and ongoing political and military violence. 965 Palestinian children (494 males and 471 females) living in the Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem were administered with a tailor-made Traumatic Events checklist, Children Impact of Events scale, and Strengths and Difficulties Scale. Exploratory and Confirmatory factor analysis was run to detect the factorial structure of the checklist. Furthermore, ANOVA was performed to identify statistically significant demographic differences among participants. A three factors structure emerged with Political violence-related traumatic experiences (PVTE), military violence against individuals (MVI), and military violence against individuals and families (MVF). Gaza children and adolescents resulted in being the most exposed to potentially traumatic events. The instrument can clearly portray potentially traumatic experiences in children exposed to violent events and adverse childhood experiences.

Common misconceptions and myths about ovarian cancer causation: a national cross-sectional study from palestine.

BACKGROUND: Women's inability to recognize ovarian cancer (OC) causation myths to be incorrect may lead to behavioral changes that could distract them from actual risk factors and impact their treatment decision making. This study examined Palestinian women's recognition of OC mythical causes, and explored factors associated with good recognition. METHODS: A national cross-sectional study was conducted. Adult Palestinian women were recruited from hospitals, primary healthcare facilities, and public areas in 11 governorates. The Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale was modified and utilized for data collection. Awareness level was determined based on the number of myths around OC causation recognized to be incorrect: poor (0-4), fair (5-9), and good (10-13). RESULTS: A total of 5618 participants agreed and completed the questionnaire out of 6095 approached (response rate = 92.1%), and 5411 questionnaires were included in the final analysis. The most recognized food-related myth was 'drinking from plastic bottles' (n = 1370, 25.3%) followed by 'eating burnt food' (n = 1298, 24.0%). The least recognized food-related myth was 'eating food containing additives' (n = 611, 11.3%). The most recognized food-unrelated myth was 'having a physical trauma' (n = 2899, 53.6%), whereas the least recognized was 'using mobile phones' (n = 1347, 24.9%). Only 273 participants (5.1%) had good awareness of OC causation myths as incorrect. Earning higher monthly incomes as well as visiting governmental healthcare facilities were associated with a decrease in the likelihood of exhibiting good awareness. CONCLUSION: The overall recognition of OC causation myths was low. Addressing mythical beliefs should be included in OC prevention strategies and public health interventions to improve women's understanding of OC risk factors versus mythical causes.

Characteristics, Risk Factors, and Outcomes in Acute Kidney Injury Patients: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study, Palestine.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major medical problem affecting patients' quality of life and healthcare costs. Objectives: This study evaluated the severity, risk factors, and outcomes of patients diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI), including community-acquired AKI (CA-AKI) and hospital-acquired AKI (HA-AKI), who were admitted to tertiary institutions in Palestine. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at multiple tertiary care hospitals in Palestine by reviewing patient charts from January 2020 to March 2023. The study included all patients aged ≥18 years who were admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with AKI at admission (CA-AKI) or who developed AKI 48 hours after admission (HA-AKI). Patients with incomplete medical records and those with no reported creatinine levels during their stay, pregnant women, kidney transplant patients, and end-stage renal disease patients were excluded. Data were analyzed using SPSS v22.0. The incidence of AKI in each group was compared using the chi-squared test. Results: This study included 259 participants. HA-AKI was present in 27.3% of the patients, while CA-AKI was 72.7%. The most common stage among patients was stage 3 (55.7%, HA-AKI) (42.9%, CA-AKI), and the most common comorbidity contributing to AKI was CKD. NSAIDs, ACE-I/ARBs, and DIURETICs were the most nephrotoxic drugs contributing to AKI. Patients with hyperphosphatemia, hyperkalemia, severe metabolic acidosis, or stage 3 AKI require renal replacement therapy. In addition, our findings revealed a significant association among AKI mortality, age, and heart disease. Conclusion: CA-AKI was more prevalent than HA-AKI in Palestinian patients admitted for AKI. Risk factors for AKI included diabetes, CKD, and medications (antibiotics, NSAID, diuretics, and ACE-I/ARB). Preventive measures, medication management, and disease state management are necessary to minimize AKI during hospital admission or in the community.