Ionizing Radiation Leakage in Radio-Diagnostic Centers at Gaza Strip Hospitals, Palestine

The fact of using radiation in medicine has led to major improvements in the diagnostic and treatment of human diseases. However, it carries some risks of health problems. In Gaza governorates hospitals, there is tremendous development has taken place in the radio-diagnostic field and there is no clear radiation protection program, lack of clear information about radiation protection measures and guidelines. The objective of this study was an assessment whether yearly equivalent radiation dose received by the radio-diagnostic workers and public in governmental Gaza governorates hospitals are within the dose limits recommended by ICRP or not. The study was carried out in nine governmental hospitals. The hospitals were selected because of their large and diverse of their radio-diagnostic services. The radiation survey meter (OD-01) was used to measure radiation leakage. Data sheet was also used to elicit information about the radio-diagnostic rooms and machines specifications. The results indicate that the fluoroscopy and CT scan rooms were not efficiently lead lined and the radiation protection is not well organized. The measured values of radiation dose rate at different locations in basic X-ray and mammography rooms are found within a permissible limits for occupational stuff and public. However, the recommended distance between the X-ray machine and control panel have not been achieved in some rooms. Therefore, there is a desperate need for rules, regulations and radiation protection act in the field of radiation in medical field

Post-traumatic stress disorder among health care providers two years following the Israeli attacks against Gaza Strip in August 2014: Another call for policy intervention

This study aimed to assess the level of posttraumatic stress disorder and to examine the relationship between exposure to war stress and posttraumatic symptoms among health care providers two years following Israeli offensives against Gaza Strip in 2014. Methodology: A cross-sectional design was used for this study. We targeted all nurses and doctors working in three governmental hospitals in the Gaza Strip who worked with victims of the 2014 war, more specifically, those who were working in emergency departments, intensive care units, operating rooms, surgical departments, and burn units. A demographic sheet and Impact Event Scale-Revised were used in this study. The Impact Event Scale-Revised has three sub-scales; intrusion, avoidance, and hyper-arousal. Results: The results showed that 291 (89.3%) out of 2444 participants had scores more than 35 (threshold cut-off point) on Impact Event Scale-Revised. Scores ranged from eight to 80 with a mean of 52.71. Females had higher levels of stress (55.33) than males (50.82) and nurses (52.67) had more stress than physicians (47.38). The most frequent symptoms of trauma subscales was “Intrusion” (mean=19.99), followed by “Avoidance” (mean=17.60), and then “Hyper-arousal” (mean=14.12). Level of trauma symptoms were not affected by place of living, hospital of work, while level of education had impacted level of trauma. Conclusion: The findings showed that health care providers still suffer from severe posttraumatic symptoms two years after exposure to a prolonged war stress. This level of trauma among health care providers warrants intervention programs to reduce stress and trauma among Gaza health care providers after the war.This study aimed to assess the level of posttraumatic stress disorder and to examine the relationship between exposure to war stress and posttraumatic symptoms among health care providers two years following Israeli offensives against Gaza Strip in 2014. Methodology: A cross-sectional design was used for this study. We targeted all nurses and doctors working in three governmental hospitals in the Gaza Strip who worked with victims of the 2014 war, more specifically, those who were working in emergency departments, intensive care units, operating rooms, surgical departments, and burn units. A demographic sheet and Impact Event Scale-Revised were used in this study. The Impact Event Scale-Revised has three sub-scales; intrusion, avoidance, and hyper-arousal. Results: The results showed that 291 (89.3%) out of 2444 participants had scores more than 35 (threshold cut-off point) on Impact Event Scale-Revised. Scores ranged from eight to 80 with a mean of 52.71. Females had higher levels of stress (55.33) than males (50.82) and nurses (52.67) had more stress than physicians (47.38). The most frequent symptoms of trauma subscales was “Intrusion” (mean=19.99), followed by “Avoidance” (mean=17.60), and then “Hyper-arousal” (mean=14.12). Level of trauma symptoms were not affected by place of living, hospital of work, while level of education had impacted level of trauma. Conclusion: The findings showed that health care providers still suffer from severe posttraumatic symptoms two years after exposure to a prolonged war stress. This level of trauma among health care providers warrants intervention programs to reduce stress and trauma among Gaza health care providers after the war