Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 21, Issue 6, 2019, Pages 1257-1265

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

Habib R.R.* , Hojeij S. , Elzein K. , Chaaban J.
  • a Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box: 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon
  • b Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box: 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon
  • c Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box: 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon
  • d Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box: 11-0236, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon

Abstract

Most Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are marginalized as refugees, poor, and targets of discrimination. 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 logistic 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 policy and intervention strategies. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Author Keywords

Socioeconomic status Palestinian Health Lebanon Refugee

Index Keywords

male controlled study female randomized controlled trial household refugee questionnaire social worker Article poverty Lebanon human adult human experiment
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85062696621&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-019-00869-7&partnerID=40&md5=26036ebc1adb9c16a5196ad308dea175
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-019-00869-7
ISSN: 15571912
Original Language: English