Hepatitis (A) in Gaza Governorates A Study in Medical Geography

Abstract

The study investigated the geographic distribution of patients with Hepatitis (Type A) in Gaza Governorates . The aim of the study to examine prevalence rate of infected people of all age groups whose number was about (4536) cases from 2009 to 2016. Khan Yunis Governorate had the largest number of infected cases as their prevalence rate about (1168) cases infected with Hepatitis. The study also investigated the number of children infected with the disease during the period from 2009 to 2016. Their prevalunce was about (384) infected cases. The Middle Governorate recorded the largest number of infected cases as their registered number cases was about (106) cases. The study also investigated the environmental elements which included the quality of drinking water, waste water and the extent of its mixing with drinking water, behavioral habits practiced by the children in their environment, the presence of wastewater in the streets and its mixing with solid wastes, and the relationship of foods contaminated with the infection with Hepatitis A . The study also investigated the risk factors of sociodemographic characteristics in addition to the electricity cut which has a indirect relationship and its negative impact on all aspects of the environment, which may lead to the infection with the disease. Self report structuer interview were distributed to a sample of 100 patient children in order to measure the natural and human variables of patients. Numerous charts and tables emerged as a result of using (Microsoft Excel) and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Statistical analysis showed that non adherence to personal hygiene was the primary cause of the infection with Hepatitis in addition to the contamination of drinking water with solid wastes. The study findings also revealed that there was a relationship between contaminated water and the incidence of the disease. The study recommended the need for coordination with the educational directorates in the field of health education to reduce the incidence of transmission of the disease among children, and the urgency of the establishment of a sewage network covering Gaza Governorates.