scholarly journals Trauma exposure in pre-school children in a war zone

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Aziz Mousa Thabet ◽  
Khalid Karim ◽  
Panos Vostanis
Keyword(s):  
School Children ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Emotional Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
War Trauma ◽  
Direct Exposure ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Gaza Strip ◽  
Behavioural And Emotional Problems

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

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

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Shomar ◽  
G. Müller ◽  
A. Yahya ◽  
S. Askar ◽  
R. Sansur
Keyword(s):  
School Children ◽  
Dental Fluorosis ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Black Tea ◽  
Fluoride Ions ◽  
High Positive Correlation ◽  
The Gaza Strip ◽  
Groundwater Wells

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

scholarly journals The Relationship between Trauma due to Winter Storm Alexa, PTSD, Mental Health of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Abdelaziz M. Thabet ◽  
Sanaa S. Thabet
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Political Violence ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Winter Storm ◽  
Social Dysfunction ◽  
The Gaza Strip ◽  
The Relationship

<p><em>Aim:</em><em> This study investigated the relationship between trauma due to winter storm Alexa, PTSD and other mental health problems of Palestinian in Gaza Strip.</em><em> </em><em>Method:</em><em> The sample consisted of 105 males (50%) and 105 females (50%) selected from three of the most affected areas by flooding in 2014 due to Alexa storm in Gaza Strip. Participants age range was 20-65 years, with a mean age 40.88 (SD = 9.8)</em><em>,</em><em> with a mean age of years. Mental health status was assessed by a sociodemographic scale, the Trauma Due to Flood Scale, PTSD scale, and General Health Questionnaire (28 items). Results: Mean traumatic events experienced were 7.8. There were no statistically significant differences between males and females in reporting traumatic events. Mean post-traumatic stress disorder was 18.65, re-experiences symptoms was 6.4, avoidance symptoms was 5.7 and mean arousal symptoms was 5.73. </em></p><p><em>The study showed that 34.8% reported full criteria of PTSD. There were no statistically significant differences in PTSD total scores and subscales and sex of participants. Mean GHQ-28 was 12.12, somatization mean was 3.21, anxiety was 3.31, social dysfunction was 3.34, and depression was 2.27, 91% of the participants were rated as psychiatric morbidity cases and need further investigation. Males significantly scored more in social dysfunction than females. Traumatic events were significantly correlated with PTSD and general mental health and all subscales.</em><em> </em><em>Conclusion and implications</em><em>: </em><em>This study has important implications for need of establishing and implementing psychosocial intervention programs for in the Gaza Strip not only for those victims of political violence but also for people exposed to other types of traumatic events such as natural disasters. </em></p>

scholarly journals War Trauma, Anxiety, and Resilience among University Students in the Gaza Strip

2017 ◽  
Vol 03 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdel Aziz Mousa Thabet ◽  
Said Mohammed Abu Sultan
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
War Trauma ◽  
The Gaza Strip

scholarly journals Geopolitical Challenges, Complexities, and Future Uncertainties in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Land and Population’s Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilmi S. Salem
Keyword(s):  
Social Economic ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
The Political ◽  
Palestinian Territories ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
Main Determinants ◽  
The Gaza Strip ◽  
East Jerusalem

Geopolitical challenges, complexities, and future uncertainties have greatly and adversely affected all aspects of life, as well as the well-being of the Palestinian citizens living in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), comprised of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The OPT were militarily occupied by the Israeli forces in June 1967 and, since then, the Israeli military rules have been applied to the OPT. The demographic issues in the OPT have gained a great importance at the political, geopolitical, social, economic, environmental, educational, health-wise, and housing, as well as at other aspects of life. This is due to the fact that demographic issues, along with the land, are the main determinants of the Palestinian choices towards sustainable development in a future, sovereign, independent, stable, and secure state of Palestine to be established in the OPT, with East Jerusalem as its capital. So, because of the limited areas of land which Palestinians have access to; because of the limited natural resources that are available to them; and because of the narrowing of the political horizons and choices available to the Palestinians, the real Palestinian wealth in the OPT is the human being. This article investigates and analyses several geopolitical challenges, complexities, and future uncertainties in the OPT, with a focus on key demographic issues, including human trends and socioeconomic trends, which include marital status, housing, education, and health. Additionally, the article examines the historical background of the present situation. It also provides important recommendations and supporting elements towards developing Palestinian national policies related to the well-being of the Palestinian citizens and institutions within the OPT.

scholarly journals Geopolitical Challenges, Complexities, and Future Uncertainties in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Land and Population’s Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilmi S. Salem
Keyword(s):  
Social Economic ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
The Political ◽  
Palestinian Territories ◽  
Education And Health ◽  
Main Determinants ◽  
The Gaza Strip ◽  
East Jerusalem

Geopolitical challenges, complexities, and future uncertainties have greatly and adversely affected all aspects of life, as well as the well-being of the Palestinian citizens living in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), comprised of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The OPT were militarily occupied by the Israeli forces in June 1967 and, since then, the Israeli military rules have been applied to the OPT. The demographic issues in the OPT have gained a great importance at the political, geopolitical, social, economic, environmental, educational, health-wise, and housing, as well as at other aspects of life. This is due to the fact that demographic issues, along with the land, are the main determinants of the Palestinian choices towards sustainable development in a future, sovereign, independent, stable, and secure state of Palestine to be established in the OPT, with East Jerusalem as its capital. So, because of the limited areas of land which Palestinians have access to; because of the limited natural resources that are available to them; and because of the narrowing of the political horizons and choices available to the Palestinians, the real Palestinian wealth in the OPT is the human being. This article investigates and analyses several geopolitical challenges, complexities, and future uncertainties in the OPT, with a focus on key demographic issues, including human trends and socioeconomic trends, which include marital status, housing, education, and health. Additionally, the article examines the historical background of the present situation. It also provides important recommendations and supporting elements towards developing Palestinian national policies related to the well-being of the Palestinian citizens and institutions within the OPT.

A survey of complex trauma in families who have children and adults who have a learning disability and/or autism

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Baker ◽  
Vivien Cooper ◽  
Winnie Tsang ◽  
Isabelle Garnett ◽  
Noelle Blackman
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disability ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Purpose There is an established literature supporting the idea that families who have children and adults who have a learning disability and/or autism have a greater vulnerability to mental health problems or poor psychological health. There are shortcomings in this literature in that there is a little consideration of the impact the families interaction with services has on their well-being. It is argued that complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), with its focus on prolonged chronic exposure to trauma experiences and the recognition that this can occur in adulthood, may well be an appropriate framework to enable a better understanding of the experiences of families. Design/methodology/approach A total of 214 family members completed a co-produced online survey in relation to potential traumatic events, impacts and support. Findings The experiences of family carers of children and adults with a learning disability and/or who are autistic would appear to be multi-layered and complex, with many experiencing a wide range of traumatic events with the associated emotional and personal sequela. The reported responses are consistent with CPTSD with 10% of having received a diagnosis of PTSD. Their experience was that the system failed not only to provide support but also created additional trauma. Practical implications A trauma-informed approach needs to be adopted by agencies and professionals that serve families to ensure they understand their potential contribution to the trauma families experience. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that has attempted to examine the experience of families using the framework of CPTSD.

The Pathological Optimist: One Man's Vision for Palestinian Well-Being

2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-119
Author(s):  
Paul Gaston Aaron
Keyword(s):  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Well Being ◽  
State Violence ◽  
The People ◽  
Short Biography ◽  
Collective Resistance ◽  
Long Time ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Gaza Strip ◽  
Formative Experiences

This short biography of Dr. Eyad El Sarraj, the founder of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, describes his formative experiences under Israeli occupation, his education, and his professional life, including interactions with Palestinian and Israeli colleagues. El Sarraj's vision of collective resistance, his stubborn ‘pathological optimism,’ and his devotion to the dignity and well-being of his patients and the people of the Gaza Strip in the face of unrelenting Israeli state violence are colorfully described by his colleague and long-time friend Paul Aaron.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of child mental health problems in Gaza Strip

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-412
Author(s):  
A. A. Mousa Thabet ◽  
P. Vostanis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Child Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Antisocial Behaviour ◽  
School Phobia ◽  
Palestinian Children ◽  
The Gaza Strip ◽  
Behavioural And Emotional Problems

The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of behavioural and emotional problems among Palestinian children. The study enrolled 959 children from the Gaza Strip, 453 boys and 506 girls. Ages ranged from 6 to 12 years, with a mean of 8.81 years. Teachers completed the Rutter scale B2. The results showed that the case incidence in boys was 247 [54.5%], while in girls it was 215 [46.5%]. The differences between boys and girls were statistically significant, with boys rated by teachers with a significantly higher caseness. The teachers rated 48% of the children as at or above the cut-off level of 9. Factor analysis of the scale revealed the following three factors: antisocial behaviour-aggression, anxiety-fearfulness, and school phobia.

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