Self-Rated Health and Relative Socioeconomic Deprivation in the Palestinian Refugee Communities of Lebanon

This study seeks to understand deprivation among these refugees through an exploration of the relationship between indicators of general health and economic deprivation. A nationally representative sample of 2501 Palestinian refugee households were randomly selected and surveyed in 2010. Social workers interviewed the homemaker in each  household using a questionnaire on health, economic, and socio-demographic information. This data was analyzed to understand the associations between health and levels of deprivation. 31% of respondents reported poor health and nearly 52% of households had two or more poverty indicators. The logis tic regression found each degree of deprivation associated with a 33% increase in poor health (OR 1.33; CI 1.20–1.47). This study suggests understanding deprivation among impoverished communities requires a nuanced approach. Generalizations about experiences of poverty will generate ineffective po licy and intervention strategies.
Source: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research