Prevalence and associated risk factors of tinnitus among Palestinian adolescents aged 15–18: A cross-sectional study

by Saad Al-Lahhaam, Raghad Dweikat, Tala Nazzal, Aman Maraqa, Joud Khalil, Tala Albadawi, Raghad Doufish, Wa'd Amer, Mustafa Ghanim, Mohammad Abuawad, Amer Ghrouz, Samar Alkhaldi, Laith El-lahham, Majdi Dwikat, Maha Rabayaa, Malik Alqub

Tinnitus is a prevalent condition worldwide, particularly among adolescents, that has a substantial impact on quality of life, yet it remains an understudied issue.

This study aims to determine the prevalence of tinnitus and its associated risk factors among Palestinian adolescents aged 15–18.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2025. A convenience sample of participants was recruited. The study utilized the European School for the Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Research Screening Questionnaire.

A total of 1,131 participants were enrolled in the study, with 64.5% being females. The prevalence of tinnitus among the study sample was 532, representing 47% of the population. Females had a higher prevalence of tinnitus, with 370 affected (50.7%) compared to males (40.4%). Significant associations were found between tinnitus and several factors: age, positive family history of tinnitus (threefold increased risk), sensitivity to external sounds (2.7 times higher likelihood), slight hearing difficulty in noisy environments (1.7 times higher risk), pain symptoms (double the risk), and difficulty falling asleep (1.8 times higher risk). Notably, the majority of affected participants (71.5%) had never sought professional care for their tinnitus.

Although Tinnitus is common among Palestinian adolescents aged 15–18 years, the majority of affected participants did not seek professional care for tinnitus. These findings highlight the importance of conducting further research to shed insight into this prevalent and neglected health priority.

Assessment of allergy knowledge among the Palestinian community: A cross-sectional study

by Maha Rabayaa, Mustafa Ghanim, Malik Alqub, Mohammad Abuawad, Majdi Dwikat, Samar Alkhaldi, Haneen Badawi, Johnny Amer

Allergy is a form of chronic illness with an increasing prevalence globally. Adequate knowledge among the community about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of allergy is crucial in preventing the associated life-threatening complications. Limited research has been conducted in Palestine regarding this health priority. The current study aimed to assess the Palestinian community’s level of knowledge regarding allergy.

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire targeting Palestinians aged 18 years and older between 1 June 2024 and 26 January 2025. The questionnaire gathered demographic information about the participants and assessed their knowledge level concerning allergy.

A total of 1002 participants were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 30.33 years. 66.1% of the participants were females, 60.2% were unmarried, 60.1% had possessed a bachelor’s degree, 63.1% had a personal history of allergy, and 82% reported knowing of someone with allergies. The mean knowledge score about allergies was 5.4 out of 10, with over half of the participants having an average level of knowledge (4–6). The knowledge score about allergies was significantly different based on the participants’ sex, marital status, place of residence, educational level, and occupation (p-value Conclusion

The Palestinians’ knowledge of allergy is considered good regarding its common causes and symptoms. However, there is still inadequate knowledge about the treatment of allergy and its less common causes. The community awareness of allergy should be improved through targeted campaigns and brochures aimed at achieving earlier diagnosis and proper management to prevent the development of life-threatening complications.