51.  Husseini A.S, Ramlawi A.M. Brucellosis in the West Bank, Palestine. 2004; Saudi Med 25 (11): 1640-1643.

A case-control study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for Brucellosis in the West Bank, Palestine.  A random sample of 450 individuals was selected (150 cases and 300 controls).  The sample was interviewed for demographic characteristics and brucellosis risk factors using designed questionnaires.  A logistic regression model was designed to study the strength of association between the independent (risk factors) and the dependent variable (brucellosis infection).  Risk factors (Odds ratio) such as herding (3.7), milking (3.7), drinking unpasteurized milk (4.8), drinking camel milk (5.6), infected animal (5.9), and slaughtering (1.9) indicated an increased risk of exposure to the disease.  The correlation coefficient indicated a positive strength of association between the latter risk factors and contracting the disease. Odd ratio for boiling dairy products implied a protective effect; cheese 0.34, yogurt 0.41, labaneh 0.27, etc…).  There are many risk factors associated with brucellosis in the West Bank, Palestine such as drinking unpasuteurized milk, herding, milking, slaughtering, and infected animals.  On the contrary, boiling appears to reduce the risk of contracting brucellosis.