Coeliac disease is an important clinical disorder affecting the human gastrointestinal tract leading to multiple signs and symptoms in different body organs. This disease was the subject of a cross sectional descriptive-analytic study conducted in the Gaza Strip during 2010. Objectives were oriented to identify and verify several variables and attributes affecting the prognosis of coeliac disease in the patients. Ninety five children out of 113 patients were arranged into two groups according to age from 2 to 11 years and from 12 to 18 years old. Results showed the poor interest of health professionals regarding coeliac disease in the Gaza Strip. The mean age of study population was 5.47 years for males and 8.93 years for females. The lifestyle of coeliac patients was directly proportional with better nutritional indictors. Poor recognition of the emblem illustrating gluten in foods implicates effective health awareness or promotion. The more knowledgeable patients or mothers (P = 0.036) were the more compliant. The compliance to giving gluten free foods outside home was statistically significant (P = 0.037). Similarly, cautious approach when buying foods or detergents (P = 0.011). According to BMI 74.4%, 23.4% and 3.2% of all patients were normal, underweight and overweight respectively. Albumin blood level was normal in 32.6% and low in 67.4%. Meanwhile, blood calcium level was normal in 76.8%, low in 21.1% and high in 2.1% of all patients. Conclusion: The study showed that recreation and social activities for coeliac patients are substantially missing in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, the study proved that AEI is a reliable centre for care of coeliac disease patients and conducting relevant studies. Recommendation: There is a need for thorough and continuous community and institutional mobilization regarding coeliac disease in the Gaza Strip and in Palestine.

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.

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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.

The study assessed the knowledge and attitudes of students' at a university in Gaza regarding HIV/AIDS and identified differences in knowledge about HIV, and attitudes by gender, locality, and social and economic status. Methods: This descriptive study targeted 492 students of Al-Azhar University-Gaza. The participants completed self-administered questionnaires that included the following dimensions: sociodemographic, measurements of student's knowledge level and measurement of student's attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Results: Findings showed moderate level of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS although there was a very low of perception regarding the acceptance and sharing of HIV/AIDS persons. It means that only one third of the study respondents are willingness to be in close touch with people living with HIV or even communication with them, and less than fifty percent thought that it is their right to be engaged in a public or governmental job, stigma and discriminatory attitudes toward HIV/AIDS persons is high only 48% of the students thought it right to employ people living with HIV (PLHIV) and 35.5% refused to work in the same place with PLHIV. Conclusion: This study indicates the need for improving the level of knowledge as well as promoting the students' towards positive attitude.