Objectives Little is known about the working conditions and airway inflammation in hairdressers in Palestine. We aimed to investigate if hairdressers in Palestine have a higher level of airway inflammation as compared to a control group. We also assessed the hairdressers’ physical working conditions and exposure to ammonia gases at the hair salons. Lastly, we investigated the association between ammonia levels and inflammation markers in the airways and the blood. Methods Our study participants were 33 non-smoking hairdressers (aged 19–50 years) and 35 non-smoking control subjects (aged 18–49 years). Both groups answered a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, and performed lung function and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) tests. Blood and sputum samples were collected from all participants and air concentration levels of ammonia were measured in 13 salons. Results Hairdressers had a higher level of sputum neutrophil count (absolute numbers/mg sputum (median (25th–75th centiles)) compared to controls, 376 (183–980) and 182 (96–358), respectively. Hairdressers also had significantly elevated eNO and blood C reactive protein (CRP) levels compared to the control subjects, controlled for age and body mass index. Exposure measurements showed that the hairdressers in salons with scarce ventilation were exposed to ammonia concentration, ranging from 3 to 61 mg/m³. Conclusions Compared to unexposed controls, the hairdressers had signs of neutrophilic airway inflammation, higher eNO levels and higher CRP. The hairdressers were exposed to high concentrations of ammonia from hairdressing chemicals and their working conditions were unsatisfactory.

Background: Food insecurity significantly impacts children’s health, affecting their development across cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional dimensions. This study explores the impact of food insecurity among children aged 6 months to 5 years, focusing on nutrient intake and its relationship with various forms of malnutrition. Methods: Utilizing machine learning algorithms, this study analyzed data from 819 children in the West Bank to investigate sociodemographic and health factors associated with food insecurity and its effects on nutritional status. The average age of the children was 33 months, with 52% boys and 48% girls. Results: The analysis revealed that 18.1% of children faced food insecurity, with household education, family income, locality, district, and age emerging as significant determinants. Children from food-insecure environments exhibited lower average weight, height, and mid-upper arm circumference compared to their food-secure counterparts, indicating a direct correlation between food insecurity and reduced nutritional and growth metrics. Moreover, the machine learning models observed vitamin B1 as a key indicator of all forms of malnutrition, alongside vitamin K1, vitamin A, and zinc. Specific nutrients like choline in the “underweight” category and carbohydrates in the “wasting” category were identified as unique nutritional priorities. Conclusion: This study provides insights into the differential risks for growth issues among children, offering valuable information for targeted interventions and policymaking.

Environmental exposure to dust from quarrying activities could pose health dangers to the population living nearby. This study aimed to investigate the health effects of dust exposure on people living close to quarry sites and compared them with those who live far from the quarry sites. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 79 exposed participants, who lived less than 500 m away from the quarry sites, and 79 control participants who lived more than 500 m away. All participants answered a questionnaire on dust exposure at home and health effects, as well as performed a lung function test in which both reported and measured health effects were investigated. People who live in close proximity to the quarry sites reported exposure to dust at home (98%), land destruction (85%), plant leaves covered with dust (97%), and an inability to grow crops (92%). The exposed group reported significantly higher eye and nasal allergy (22% vs. 3%), eye soreness (18% vs. 1%), and dryness (17% vs. 3%), chest tightness (9% vs. 1%), and chronic cough (11% vs. 0%) compared to the control group. Lung function parameters were significantly lower among the exposed group compared to the control group; mean forced vital capacity (FVC) was 3.35 L vs. 3.71 L (p = 0.001), mean forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁) was 2.78 L vs. 3.17 L (p = 0.001). Higher levels of airway restriction were found among the exposed group. Among the exposed group, lung function parameters worsened with the increasing closeness of home to the quarry site. This study demonstrates the negative health effects of environmental dust exposure among two communities living near quarry sites in Palestine. The results highlight the importance of developing and strictly enforcing rules and regulations in Palestine to protect population health.

Objectives: Hairdressers are exposed to chemicals at the workplace which are known to cause respiratory symptoms and asthma. This study aimed to examine changes in self-reported respiratory symptoms over 5 years, as well as to examine the lung function decline and determine whether it is within the expected range, to assess the dropout rate and reasons for leaving the profession, and to examine the associations between occupational factors and lung function changes at follow-up. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Female hairdressing salons in Hebron city, Palestine. Participants: 170 female hairdressers who participated in a baseline survey in 2008 were followed up in 2013. A total of 161 participants participated in 2013. Outcome measures: Change in reported respiratory symptoms and change in lung function over follow-up. Dropout from the profession and reasons for it. Differences between current and former hairdressers in respiratory symptoms and lung function at follow-up. Ambient air ammonia levels in 13 salons. Results: Current hairdressers reported more respiratory symptoms in 2013 compared with baseline. Former hairdressers reported fewer symptoms at follow-up. At follow-up, current hairdressers showed a significant decrease in forced vital capacity of 35 mL/year (95% CI 26 to 44 mL/year) and of 31 mL/year (95% CI 25 to 36 mL/year) for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁). 28 (16%) of the hairdressers quit the job during the 5-year follow-up, 8 (28%) because of health problems. Hairdressers who had been working for 4 years or more at baseline showed a stronger decline in FEV₁ compared with those who worked less than 4 years (difference 13, 95% CI 1 to 25). Conclusions: Current hairdressers developed more respiratory symptoms and larger lung function decline than former hairdressers during follow-up. Few hairdressers left their profession because of respiratory health problems. Working for more years is associated with lung function decline among current hairdressers.

Background Hairdressers are exposed to chemicals and work tasks that may cause respiratory symptoms. There is little awareness of occupational health among hairdressing salons in Palestine. Aims To characterize respiratory symptoms, lung function, and knowledge of exposure to hazards among female Palestinian hairdressers. Methods Cross-sectional study of female hairdressers and controls of female university students and staff. Working history and respiratory symptoms were collected using questionnaire. Lung function was measured. Working conditions were characterized in salons. Results A total of 170 hairdressers from 56 salons and 170 controls participated. Nineteen per cent of the hairdressers reported wheezing versus 11% in the control group. The mean forced vital capacity was 3.31 l compared with 3.42 l for controls. Adjusting for age and height, there was a forced expiratory volume in 1 s reduction of 0.093 l (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.06–0.15) comparing hairdressers with controls. A small number of hairdressers used respiratory protective equipment, and satisfactory ventilation in salons were lacking. Conclusions Female hairdressers had higher prevalence of reported asthma and respiratory symptoms than the controls, but these differences reduced markedly when adjusted for age, height, weight and years of education. They had lower lung function measurements than the control group. Increasing the awareness of occupational health hazards and improving the work conditions for the hairdressers in Palestine is needed. Possible bias could be present as hairdressers might have over reported symptoms or lung function measurements might be affected by differences in socioeconomic status between the two groups.

Male adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) interventions are rare worldwide. The high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancies among female and male adolescents worldwide highlights the need for comprehensive interventions that include both genders in the educational process. Our main focus is studying and analysing male-focused SRH interventions globally to include males in evidence-based interventions that improve SRH of adolescent males. This Review was conducted using the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. The following databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, Web of science, Scopus, CINAHL and PsycInfo. 1) No time or date limits; 2)all types of studies; 3)SRH campaign; 4)males; 5)10 to 19 years. Five thousand and sixty-eight articles were identified and 166 peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria. Family planning was identified as the primary domain covered for adolescents. While interactive activities was the most common method used to deliver information to adolescents about sexual health. SRH interventions for males were most prevalent in America. While in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR), no male interventions were found in our review. This scoping review emphasizes the need to include adolescent males in sexual and reproductive health interventions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and the EMR. Policymakers should develop comprehensive programs that address male-specific needs, improve training for intervention providers, and enhance reporting processes to identify gaps and barriers to male inclusion. Future research should be directed toward the obstacles that prevent SRH interventions targeting males from being carried out.