Determinants of hemoglobin level in adolescence students at Gaza strip, Palestine

Purpose: Hemoglobin (Hb) level could be affected by different interfering factors that include nutritional, socio-demographical, economical, and habitual determinant factors. The present study was designed to identify possible factors that could affect the hemoglobin level in adolescence students (14-22 years) at Gaza Strip, Palestine. Methods: Complete blood count (CBC), serum iron (SI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and HbA2 were performed on blood samples of 1171 students from both sexes (548 M & 623 F). Socioeconomic, demographic, habitual and nutritional information were collected through close-ended questionnaire. Results: Iron deficiency and beta thalassemia minor are prevalent in 9.6% and 4.2%, respectively, of the adolescent students. At all categorizations, except in carriers for beta thalassemia gene, significantly higher Hb levels were reported in males than females. The determinant factors for Hb level of the overall subjects were student education (school vs university), parents consanguinity, geographical locality (urban, rural, refugee camp), owning house, smoking, family size/income, tea drinking, consumption of citrus, meat, and green leafy vegetables. Conclusions: It was concluded that different sociodemographic variables and nutritional factors are significant detriments for Hb levels in Palestinian adolescents (14-22 yr). Interventional educational programs directed toward improving the dietary and nutritional issues among the adolescents is recommended. Keywords: Hemoglobin; Determinant factors, Socioeconomic; Demographic; Refugees.