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.