Previous studies have shown a very high prevalence of anaemia among Palestinian refugees. We conducted a study, in 1999, to estimate the prevalence of anaemia among infants and refugee children below 3 years residing in Jordan (n=2433), Gaza (2,244), Lebanon (878), Syria (1154), and West Bank (1,588). The purpose of this study was to address iron-deficiency anaemia as a public health problem and develop baseline data to evaluate our intervention.
The overall prevalence of anaemia among infants and children less than 3 years of age was 74.9% in Gaza, 49.7% in the West Bank, 35.9% in Jordan, 29.6% in Lebanon and 28.0% in Syria.
In 1998, a nutritional survey conducted in Gaza in collaboration with CDC revealed that the prevalence of anaemia among pre-school children was more than 50% with the highest rate of 67.7% among infants 6-11.9 months of age and that the prevalence decreased by age. These results are consistent with the results of this study.
Although the prevalence rates are still high, a marked improvement has been attained, except in Gaza, since the 1990 survey conducted in collaboration with CDC, which revealed prevalence rates of 70.3% in Gaza, 57.8% in the West Bank, 58.5% in Jordan, 70.5% in Lebanon and 75.3% in Syria.
Based on the findings of this study, we revised the strategy for prevention and treatment of iron-deficiency anaemia to provide prophylactic iron supplementation to all infants and children between 6-24 months of age. Anaemic children will be provided with therapeutic iron supplementation.
Learning Objectives: 1.to estimate the prevalence of anaemia among infants and pre-school refugee children below 3 years 2. to address iron-deficiency anaemia as a public health problem 3.Develop baseline data to evaluate our intervention.
Keywords: Child Health, Anemia
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Since 1950, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has provided education, health, and relief and social services to registered Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria.(est
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.