Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is a highly prevalent disease all over the world. Magnesium (Mg) plays a role in CHD but it is still unclear. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker which may rise in CHD. Aim of study: To assess the impact of dietary Mg intake and its level in relation to CRP among newly diagnosed CHD at middle zone of Gaza Strip. Methodology: Patients (n = 140) with confirmed CHD, 50 ± 10 years, presented in the cardiac care unit at Aqsa Martyr's Hospital between 1 April 2012 and 30 December 2012, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study after taking consent. ECG, clinical status, and cardiac markers were used to confirm diagnosis by cardiologist. Food frequency questionnaire was used to assess Mg intake and calcium intake in addition to measurement of its level in serum. CRP latex slide was used for measurement of CRP. Results: Mg intake and serum Mg were inversely associated with risk of CHD. Mean of serum Mg among cases (1.80) was lower than controls (2.41) (P = 0.001). Percent of positive CRP was higher in cases (32.9%) than controls (12.9%) (P = 0.005). Mean of serum Mg was (1.96 ± 0.47) for positive CRP which was lower than the mean of serum Mg (2.15 ± 0.44) for negative CRP. Conclusion: Newly diagnosed patients with CHD have a positive CRP, low serum and low Mg intake, and low serum Mg was associated with elevated CRP.

Background: Diet is an important modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the influence of some groups of food intake on CHD has shown inconsistent findings. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the relation of the dietary habits, Vitamin D, serum lipids, and anthropometric measures of the participants with CHD. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted at Al-Remal Clinic, Gaza City. The study included 50 cases of symptomatic CHD and 50 controls, chosen by convenience sampling method. Data were collected by direct methods that included measurement of serum levels of lipids and Vitamin D, and indirect methods using a structured interview questionnaire. Results: The mean of servings per day of fruits and vegetables was lower in CHD patients than controls (P = 0.004, and P = 0.001, respectively). Vitamin D deficiency prevailed in CHD patients (odds ratio, 3.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.65-8.65). The mean serum level of triglycerides was higher among cases (P = 0.02), while the mean of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower in CHD patients (P = 0.001). Waist circumference (mean) was higher among cases (P = 0.01). Conclusion: Traditional risk factors including unhealthy diet, and Vitamin D deficiency could be associated with the development of CHD.

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Background: The Gaza Strip, like other settings of complex humanitarian emergencies, faces immense challenges in vaccinating its population against COVID-19. This study was conducted in October 2021 and aimed to estimate coverage of COVID-19 vaccination, levels of vaccine hesitancy, and associations with risk factors among the adult population and healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods: The study used a mixed methods design comprised of a cross-sectional survey of adults, purposive survey of HCWs, and qualitative discussions with key informants and community members. Quantitative data was summarized as univariable descriptive statistics with unweighted and weighted point estimates. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations of risk factors with vaccination status and vaccine hesitancy.Results: A total of 1,075 individuals were reached in the survey, of whom 906 were community members. Population-weighted vaccine coverage was estimated to be 49.08% (95% CI: 43.10-55.08). 89.35% of HCWs were vaccinated. Population-weighted vaccine hesitancy was estimated to be 34.08% (95% CI: 28.14-40.56) among both vaccinated and unvaccinated respondents, and 67.24% (95% CI: 49.04-81.41) among the unvaccinated. In logistic regression vaccination was independently associated with male sex (aOR 1.88, 95% CI: 1.20-2.95), older age (40 or more years old) (aOR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.73-2.13), higher education (aOR 2.19, 95% CI: 1.51-3.17), and confidence in the safety of the vaccine (aOR 13.8, 95% CI: 10.1-18.8). Risk factors for hesitancy were similar, however hesitant individuals were more likely to obtain vaccine information from family members (aOR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.00-1.67) and less likely to trust healthcare providers (aOR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.49-0.68). Qualitative interviews corroborated the survey results, although skepticism expressed by HCWs interviewed raises the possibility of hidden hesitancy.Conclusions: The continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants reinforces the importance of achieving high levels of vaccination coverage globally – a uniquely challenging objective in Gaza. This study estimated half of Gaza’s adult population received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine by October 2021, and the majority of unvaccinated individuals were hesitant. Disparities in vaccination across the territory’s demographic groups underscores the need for targeted outreach to these populations and messaging through community-based channels to permeate social networks of the unvaccinated.

Background The Gaza Strip, like other settings of complex humanitarian emergencies, faces immense challenges in vaccinating its population against COVID-19. This study was conducted in October 2021 among Gaza’s adult population and healthcare workers (HCWs). The primary aim was to estimate two indicators, coverage of COVID-19 vaccination and the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy. The secondary aim was to evaluate the two indicators’ associations with globally identified risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a population-based survey of adults and a purposive survey of HCWs in Gaza. A multi-stage sampling design was used for the population survey component. For the HCW component, five health facilities were purposively selected as entry points; HCWs in the facilities holding clinical or other specialized positions were approached to participate in the survey. Data were summarized as univariable descriptive statistics with unweighted and weighted point estimates. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations of risk factors with vaccination status and vaccine hesitancy. Results A total of 1075 individuals were surveyed, of whom 906 were community members and 169 were HCWs. Population-weighted vaccine coverage was estimated to be 49.08% (95% CI 43.10–55.08). 89.35% of HCWs were vaccinated. Population-weighted vaccine hesitancy was estimated to be 34.08% (95% CI 28.14–40.56) in the overall population and 67.24% (95% CI 49.04–81.41) among the unvaccinated sub-group. In logistic regression vaccination was independently associated with male sex (aOR 1.88, p = 0.006, 95% CI 1.20–2.95), older age (40+ vs. 18–39 age group) (aOR 1.92, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.73–2.13), higher education (aOR 2.19, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.51–3.17), and confidence in the safety of the vaccine (aOR 13.8, p < 0.001, 95% CI 10.1–18.8). Risk factors for hesitancy were similar to those identified for vaccination status, however hesitant individuals were somewhat more likely to obtain vaccine information from family members (aOR 1.29, p = 0.051, 95% CI 1.00–1.67) and less likely to trust healthcare providers (aOR 0.58, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.49–0.68). Conclusions The continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants reinforces the importance of achieving high levels of vaccination coverage globally—a difficult undertaking in Gaza. This study estimated half of Gaza’s adult population received at least one dose of any COVID-19 vaccine by October 2021, and the majority of unvaccinated individuals were hesitant. Disparities in vaccination across the territory’s demographic groups underscore the need for targeted outreach to these populations and messaging through community-based channels to permeate social networks of the unvaccinated.

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