Students In Gaza Research Articles

Attitudes of University Students in Gaza to Organ Donation

Background: This study aimed to explore the attitudes and knowledge of university students in Gaza to organ donation. Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to collect data including socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge level and attitudes of participants toward organ donation and factors that affect personal beliefs of the participants on donation. The questionnaire was distributed using the convenience method to 489 (179 males, 310 females) students at the Islamic University of Gaza. The data were analyzed in a descriptive fashion using SPSS program. Results: The study showed that 97.5% of participants were acquainted with the term “organ donation”. Those participants were eligible and were asked to complete the questionnaire. Less than half of participants chose multimedia as the main source of information regarding organ donation and more than half of respondents (56%) said that, “saving lives” was the most important reason for organ donation. One fifth of participants (22%) reported that they completely reject donating any of their organs during their lifetimes, whereas more than one fourth of them (27%) reported that they refuse organ donation even after death. (54%) of students denied any knowledge about local or international legislation regulating organ donation. Conclusion: The results of the study confirm the presence of good level of knowledge regarding organ donation among participants, which was reflected in their positive attitudes towards organ donation. However, one of the main concerns to promote organ donation was the fear of surgery and its complications. Additionally, legislative, educational and health agencies are recommended to exert more efforts through the media and public campaigns tackling misconcepts and lack of information regarding organ donation. Finally, ministry of health needs to take steps to alleviate fears and mistrust from the public towards the health care system.

Muslim Perceptions and Perceptions of Islam

This research paper set out to understand how different groups of Muslims relate to, and identify with, violent Islamist groups. As a corollary subject, beliefs about the relationship between governance and religion (Islam), Salafism and Jihadism, and the contemporary challenges facing Islam were also explored. The research includes online polling of different Muslims, including a comparison between Muslim students in Gaza and Israel and Jewish students in Israel. After presenting the methodology and the findings themselves, the results are analyzed in greater detail.

Smoking, Awareness of Smoking-associated Health Risks, and Knowledge of National Tobacco Legislation in Gaza, Palestine

To assess university students' extent of smoking, knowledge of smoking health risks, and awareness of existing national anti-smoking laws. Self-administered questionnaire was employed across 7 universities (1,104 students, equal proportions of males and females) located in Gaza Strip, Palestine. About 55% of participants reported ever smoking, 31% were current cigarette smokers, and 36% were 'strictly' (only) narghile (water pipe) smokers. Mean age of smoking initiation was 17 +/- 3.15 years. Smokers had less knowledge of smoking associated health risks than nonsmokers. Students' knowledge of existing anti-smoking laws was generally low (11.3-25.5%), and significantly more smokers had knowledge about existing laws (ban of advertisement of smoking, ban of smoking in public places, and ban of selling cigarettes to minors) than non-smokers. About 81% of current smokers tried to quit smoking at least once during their life, 53% felt ready to quit smoking if cessation assistance was provided, 17% were not ready to quit, and 30% were reluctant/felt unsure if they were ready to quit. Most students (94.3%) reported that there were no smoking cessation centres in Palestine, or did not know if such centres existed. Males were associated with almost all categories of smoking (e.g. smoking both cigarettes and narghile, or smoking narghile only). There is a lack of knowledge about the existing national anti-smoking legislation among university students in Gaza, Palestine. Smoking cessation centres also seem non-existent in Gaza. Multi-level interventions and actions are required by policy makers, educators and non-governmental agencies to prevent smoking among university students in Gaza, and to educate them on tobacco cessation counselling, on the dangers of tobacco use, and about effective stress management strategies to help them to cope with stressors. Smoking cessation interventions are required to address both cigarette and narghile use. Efforts need to be invested in ensuring compliance with legislation and for follow-up activities to enforce the anti-smoking laws through coordinated actions across ministries and departments.

Effectiveness of a Computerized Interactive Book in Developing the Visual Thinking Skills in Technology for the Fifth Grade Male Students in Gaza

study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of using the computerized interactive book in the development of visual thinking skills in Technology for the fifth grade male students in Gaza. The researchers adopted the experimental approach. The sample of the study consisted of four classes which reached 120 male students, they randomly chose two classes of them to present the experimental group with 60 male students who studied by using computerized interactive book while the traditional method was used with the control group with the rest of the students 60. The researchers ascertained the equivalence of the two groups in chronological age, general achievement, previous achievement in Technology, and results of pre-test of visual thinking skills which was prepared by the researchers. The results indicate that no significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups in the visual thinking pretest results in addition to no significant differences were found between mean scores of high achievers at the experimental and control groups in the visual thinking pretest, also there is no significant differences found between mean scores of low achievers at the experimental and control groups in the visual thinking pretest. The computerized interactive book is effective in developing the visual thinking skills.

Internet Addiction and Psychological Morbidity among Nursing Students in Gaza-Palestine

Despite the positive aspects of the internet have been readily praised over the last years, there has been increased interest in the addictive potential of the internet. The present study was conducted in order to investigate not only the prevalence of internet addiction among the nursing students at the Islamic University of Gaza, but also the relationship between internet addictions and psychological morbidity. At the beginning of first semester of the academic year 2013/2014, all nursing students from second, third, and fourth year students-excluding first year students-were handed the questionnaires, which included the Arabic versions of Internet Addiction Test (IAT), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and demographic data. A total of 236 nursing students completed and returned the questionnaires. Female participants were 124 (52.5%) and fourth year students were 107 (45.3%). Results indicated that 30.1% of participants scored high level of internet addiction. Male nursing students were significantly higher than females in both internet addiction and psychological morbidity. No significant differences in IAT or GHQ-12 were found among nursing students due to study year. The results showed that there is significant positive correlation between internet addiction and psychological morbidity. It can be concluded that Palestinian nursing students in Gaza are highly addicted on internet and this affected their psychological morbidity. A program to reduce addiction on internet is suggested and comfortable study environment is recommended.

Factorial Structure of the Big Five Personality Factors Inventory Among Palestinian University Students in Gaza

Factorial Structure of the Big Five Personality Factors Inventory Among Palestinian University Students in Gaza

The Effectiveness of 5E’s Learning Cycle on Developing the Scientific Concepts, Science Processes and Curiosity among 8th Students in Gaza in Science

The Effectiveness of 5E’s Learning Cycle on Developing the Scientific Concepts, Science Processes and Curiosity among 8th Students in Gaza in Science

Cumulative Tertiary Appraisals of Traumatic Events Across Cultures: Two Studies

Two studies compared the effects of cumulative trauma (CT) with those of cumulative negative (CNTA) and cumulative positive tertiary appraisals (CPTA). The first study was conducted with an adult clinical population in the U.S. (N = 399), while the second study was conducted with adolescent students in Gaza (N = 422). Among the effects found were that path analysis with comulative trauma, positive tertiary appraisal, and cumulative negative tertiary appraisals as independent variables and mental health measures as dependent variables, in both samples, found that CNTA and CPTA had direct positive and direct negative effects, respectively, on PTSD, depression, and anxiety. However, CT, independent from appraisals, had direct effects in producing the more complicated symptom clusters of cumulative trauma disorders.

In Support of Academic Freedom

We, members of Executive Committee of International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies (Network), oppose renewed initiatives that support an academic boycott of Israeli academic institutions. We also oppose Israeli restrictions on Palestinian students that prevent them from studying at institutions of higher in Israel, West Bank, and abroad. We call on national academies affiliated with our Network to do same. We reiterate our belief in the free exchange of ideas and opinions among scientists and scholars in all countries, which thereby stimulates the development of collaborative educational, research and human-rights endeavors within academies and institutions with which they are affiliated. Boycotts deny our colleagues their to freedom of opinion and expression; interfere with their ability to exercise their bona fide academic freedoms; inhibit free circulation of scientists and scientific ideas; impose unjust punishment, and impede the instrumental role played by scientists and scholars in promotion of peace and human rights ([1][1]). We also oppose Israeli restrictions on Palestinian students such as ban imposed in 2000 that prevents all Palestinian students in Gaza from traveling to West Bank to study, and a statement earlier this month by Israeli military that it will continue to prevent Gaza students from studying in Israel. Additionally, a recommendation by Israeli Supreme Court that Ministry of Defense submit criteria for allowing Palestinian students from West Bank to study in Israel has repeatedly been delayed to point that West Bank residents, still banned from studying in Israel, now risk missing Israeli university application deadlines for coming academic year. We reiterate hope expressed in our 6 November 2006 statement to Israeli authorities ([2][2]) that their policy of academic exclusion will be promptly reversed. In that same statement, we joined Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities in opposing measures, by any government, restricting or impairing ability of scientists and students to carry out their scientific work and to discharge their scientific or academic responsibilities. We also agree with four Israeli university presidents and a number of prominent intellectuals who recently wrote that [b]locking access to higher for Palestinian students from Gaza who choose to study in West Bank casts a dark shadow over Israel's image as a state which respects and supports principle of academic freedom and right to education ([3][3]). Lastly, we recall and continue to support joint statement of cooperation, signed at our Network's May 2005 meeting by Sari Nusseibeh and Menachem Magidor, presidents of Al-Quds University and Hebrew University, respectively, that said, Our disaffection with, and condemnation of acts of academic boycotts and discrimination against scholars and institutions, is predicated on principles of academic freedom, human rights, and equality between nations and among individuals. We therefore call upon academics here and worldwide to act in support of our mission, as one which might allow for ending our shared tragedy rather than prolonging it ([4][4]). 1. 1.[↵][5] For full text of 13 June 2002, statement, see [www7.nationalacademies.org/humanrights/In\_Support\_of\_Scientific\_Exchange.html][6]. 2. 2.[↵][7] See [www7.nationalacademies.org/humanrights/Network\_Statement\_Access\_to\_Education\_Nov\_2006.html][8]. 3. 3.[↵][9] The presidents of Ben-Gurion University (Rivka Carmi), Hebrew University (Menachem Megidor), Haifa University (Aharon Ben-Zeev), Technion (Yitzhak Apeloig), and a group of Israeli authors, including Amos Oz, A. B. Yehoshua, David Grossman, Nathan Zach, Ariel Hirschfeld, Agi Mishol, and Yitzhak Laor (see [www.gisha.org/index.php?intLanguage=2&intItemId=426&intSiteSN=113][10]). 4. 4.[↵][11] The full text can be found in Proceedings of meeting: [www.nap.edu/catalog/11740.html][12]. [1]: #ref-1 [2]: #ref-2 [3]: #ref-3 [4]: #ref-4 [5]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1. in text [6]: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/humanrights/In_Support_of_Scientific_Exchange.html [7]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2. in text [8]: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/humanrights/Network_Statement_Access_to_Education_Nov_2006.html [9]: #xref-ref-3-1 View reference 3. in text [10]: http://www.gisha.org/index.php?intLanguage=2&intItemId=426&intSiteSN=113 [11]: #xref-ref-4-1 View reference 4. in text [12]: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11740.html

Intelligent Tutoring System for Teaching Database to Sophomore Students in Gaza and its Effect on their Performance

Intelligent Tutoring System for Teaching Database to Sophomore Students in Gaza and its Effect on their Performance