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This study aims to explore pregnant women's attitudes to COVID-19 vaccination and determinants of vaccine acceptance. We conducted a cross-sectional study among pregnant women attending PHC clinics and hospitals in the West-bank of Palestine. We used an interviewer-administered questionnaire based on Health Belief Model. The study's primary outcome was COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. We used the Chi-square test to compare those who accepted the vaccine versus those who refused it and conducted binary logistic regression to explore independent determinants of vaccination acceptance. Among the 728 pregnant women who took part in the study, 20.7 percent showed positive attitudes (acceptance) toward COVID-19 vaccination. Employment (aOR 4.0; 95 percentCI: 2.2–7.3), a history of COVID-19 (aOR 1.9; 95 percentCI: 1.2–3.1), and having a relative who died from COVID-19 (aOR 2.3; 95 percentCI: 1.2–4.7) increased the likelihood of vaccine acceptance, as did vaccine perceived effectiveness (aOR 1.9; 95 percentCI: 1.2–3.2) and perceived protection from severe disease (aOR 2.0; 95 percentCI: 1.2–3.5). On the other hand, perceived limited access (aOR 0.540; 95 percentCI: 0.31–0.87) and perceived harm to the baby (aOR 0.346; 95 percentCI 0.22–0.54) remained the main barriers toward vaccine acceptance. In conclusion, pregnant women's acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine is unsatisfactory. Concerns about its effect on unborn babies were major barriers to vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to assess weight control behaviors and their relationship with body weight and image perceptions among female university students. Subject and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among female students. The study included 420 female students aged 17–27 years using a convenient sample. Students were invited from all faculties. The data collection tools included a questionnaire, body image perceptions scale, and measurement scale for weight and height. Results: Of the participants, 154 (36.9%) female students (95% CI 32–41%) had risky eating behaviors and reported a significant level of concern about diet and weight. In general, most of the study sample were dissatisfied with their bodies; in particular, 55.7% of participants were suffering from negative body image, while 24.5% showed a positive body image. Approximately one-third (31.8%) of underweight university students participated in risky eating behavior compared to 36.3% and 44.4% in normal weight and overweight and obese groups, respectively. The logistic regression analysis revealed that weight control behaviors were mainly associated with the perception of body image. Conclusion: The results showed a high level of concern about food and weight by the female students. Additionally, it showed that they are prone to risky eating behaviors. Therefore, interventions are needed to promote healthy eating behaviors and body image among university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To measure COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance and related factors to undercover nurses' concerns and fears. Design: A cross‐sectional study. Sample: The study included 639 nurses; 83% were women and 80% under 50 years. Measurement: A self‐administered questionnaire was used. It included demographic characteristics, COVID‐19‐related fears and concerns, COVID‐19 vaccine perceived benefits, and intention toward getting the vaccine. Results: Forty percent of the nurses planned to get the vaccine when available, 41% would take it later when adequate protection and safety were presented, and 18% would never take it. Significant factors associated with vaccination intention were as follows: age (adjusted OR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.02–1.99); lack of knowledge about the vaccine (adjusted OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.81–3.8); concern about long‐term side effects (adjusted OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4–2.9); fear of injection (adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.04–2.13); natural immunity preference (adjusted OR 5.8, 95% CI 4.5–8.3); media misrepresentation (adjusted OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.4); and getting COVID‐19 from the vaccine (adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.1). Conclusion: COVID‐19 vaccine safety and side‐effects concerns impact nurses' intentions to accept the vaccine and may result in low acceptance rates. Urgent action is needed to address these fears and raise confidence, as nurses' vaccine‐related decisions can affect the public's vaccine acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Smoking cessation counseling is not well established in Middle East countries including Palestine. This study assesses the practice of smoking cessation counseling among primary healthcare (PHC) physicians in Palestine and its determinants. Methods: Over the period from April to September 2019, general practitioners, family medicine physicians, obstetricians and gynecologists, and dentists working at the PHC Centers in Palestine were approached through a cross‑sectional design using a self‑reported questionnaire. Proportionate stratified random sampling approach has been used. Sociodemographic, medical background, smoking cessation counseling training, smoking history, practice, knowledge, attitude, and confidence were evaluated. The proportion of favorable practice has been determined and its relationship with all variables has been evaluated. Ethical approval was received from the National University of An‑Najah. Results: 295 physicians were enrolled in the study with an 86% response rate. 75.5% (n = 222) were males with a mean age of 39.9 ± 9 years. The majority were General Practitioners (76.5%, n = 252). Most of them (84.3%, n = 215) had not received any training. The favorable practice was seen in 36.6% (95% CI 31–41%). Attitude is the main predictor of favorable practice (P value = 0.002, adjusted OR = 1.1). Conclusion: Palestinian PHC physicians have a low level of counseling for smoking cessation. Given the efficacy of counseling for smoking cessation and the high level of the tobacco epidemic in the area, health policy to ensure all healthcare personnel‑especially physicians‑receive training in cessation counseling and call for a public health campaign for control of tobacco should be taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providing care for families under occupation has always been marked by scarce resources and too many patients. The current war in Gaza has dramatically worsened conditions in the Occupied Territories of Palestine (OTP). A family physician and her team in the southern West Bank describe their own challenges and give voice to the physicians in the OTP they interviewed to better understand the professional and personal challenges of living and working during the uncertainty of war. Annals Early Access article., (© 2024 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.)

Background: The emergence of several SARS-CoV-2 variants may necessitate an annual COVID-19 booster vaccine. This study aimed to evaluate healthcare workers' (HCWs) acceptance of a COVID-19 yearly booster vaccine if recommended and its association with their attitudes and burnout levels., Methods: We used an online self-administered questionnaire to conduct a cross-sectional study of all HCWs in the West Bank and Gaza Strip of Palestine between August and September 2022. We used the Vaccination Attitudes Examination scale to assess HCWs' vaccination attitudes and the Maslach Burnout Inventory to assess work-related Burnout. In addition, we conducted logistic regression to identify factors independently associated with the acceptance of the booster vaccine., Results: The study included 919 HCWs; 52.4% were male, 46.5% were physicians, 30.0% were nurses, and 63.1% worked in hospitals. One-third of HCWs (95% CI: 30.5%-36.7%) said they would accept an annual COVID-19 booster vaccine if recommended. HCWs who are suspicious of vaccine benefits [aOR = .70; 95%CI: .65-.75] and those concerned about unforeseeable future effects [aOR = .90; 95%CI: .84-.95] are less likely to accept the booster vaccine if recommended, whereas those who receive annual influenza vaccine are more likely to get it [aOR = 2.9; 95%CI: 1.7-5.0]., Conclusion: Only about a third of HCWs would agree to receive an annual COVID-19 booster vaccine if recommended. Mistrust of the vaccine's efficacy and concerns about side effects continue to drive COVID-19 vaccine reluctance. Health officials need to address HCWs' concerns to increase their acceptance of the annual vaccine if it is to be recommended., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: COVID-19 is thought to be the most significant public health threat the modern world has encountered. Health care workers (HCWs) face enormous pressure due to work overload, negative emotions, exhaustion, lack of contact with their families, and risk of catching the infection and death., Aim: This study aims to assess the level of stress perceived by HCWs and possible associated factors during the COVID-19 outbreak in Palestine., Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 430 frontlines HCWs was conducted using an online self-reported questionnaire. HCWs' stress from the COVID-19 outbreak, factors that increase stress, and the activities that reduced stress were assessed. Chi-square test was used to compare between a categorical variable and the study outcome; associations are presented as odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (95% CI) with 0.05 significance level. Al-Najah National University institutional review board granted ethics approval., Results: Most respondents (74.0%) reported high-stress levels during the outbreak. Fear of transmitting the virus to family was the most stressful factor (91.6%). HCWs who did not have training on the outbreak response were more likely to have high-stress levels (OR = 2.7 [95% CI = 1.7-4.4], P  < .001). Those with high stress reported being disappointed (OR = 2.4 [95% CI = 1.5-3.6], P  < .001), and strongly considered taking sick leave (OR = 3.9 [95% CI = 1.9-7.9], P  < .001)., Conclusion: HCWs are under tremendous stress, given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the psychological impact of the outbreak on HCWs and the activities that mitigate the stress is crucial to guide policies and interventions that can maintain psychological well-being.