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Anemia and risk factors among female secondary students in the Gaza Strip

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Abstract

Aims

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of anemia among female secondary students in the Gaza Strip and to assess the important risk factors that are relevant to the development of anemia.

Subjects and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data collected by self-administered questionnaire in a sample of 316 students aged 15–18 years.

Results

The prevalence of anemia among students was 33.5 %. Anemia was found to be more prevalent among adolescents with low socioeconomic status. Anemia was found to be statistically significant regarding the father’s job status, monthly expenditure average, and indiviual monthly expensing. Skipping breakfast was reported by 60.8 % students and 71.2 % ate only 1–2 meals/day. The results indicate that the prevalence of underweight, and high body mass index were 1.3 % and 19.9 % respectively. The results showed that nearly one third of students practiced sedentary life style, and this practice is markedly relevant to anemic students (P < 0.05). The duration of menstruation (more than 7 days, P < 0.001) was found to be a risk factor for anemia. Low academic achievements showed significant reduction in anemic students (P < 0.05). In addition, there were statistically significant differences between anemia and consumption of meat, chicken, liver, natural juices, fruits and vegetables.

Conclusion

Anemia still appears to be a public health problem among female adolescents. It is concluded that different socioeconomic variables and dietary habit factors showed statistical significance for anemia among female students.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their deep appreciation to Dr. Abdulrahman Musaiger for his support in conducting this study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Food and Chemical Products Laboratories, Ministry of National Economy, Al-Naser St., Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine

    Marwan O. Jalambo

  2. The Faculty of Pharmacy, Al Azhar University-Gaza, Thalathini St., Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestine

    Amin Hamad

  3. The Faculty of Public Health, Al-Quds University, Tal-Alhawa St., Jerusalem, Israel

    Yehia Abed

Authors
  1. Marwan O. Jalambo
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  2. Amin Hamad
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  3. Yehia Abed
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Correspondence to Marwan O. Jalambo.

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Jalambo, M.O., Hamad, A. & Abed, Y. Anemia and risk factors among female secondary students in the Gaza Strip. J Public Health 21, 271–278 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-012-0540-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-012-0540-9

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