Envirnomental Health

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Browsing Envirnomental Health by Author "Kamal Issa Hamo"

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    Relationship between Anemia and Aluminum Uptake from Aluminum Cookware among Children in Gaza Governorates
    (Al-Quds University, 2010-05-11) Kamal Issa Hamo; كمال عيسى اسماعيل حمو
    Anemia is a major public health problem world-wide. In spite of different campaigns of iron and foliate supplementation, anemia prevalence among Palestinian population is still very high, especially in women and children. Aluminum (Al) is the most abundant metallic element on Earth, and has been used extensively in foodstuffs, utensils and packaging. Al is considered as a potential toxic metal and the over dose of Al may lead to three serious types of disorders: Al- induced bone disease, microcytic anemia and encephalopathy. This study aimed to assess the relationship between anemia, and using Aluminum cookware (AlC), especially bad quality ones, among children 1-3 years old, at United Nation Relief and Working Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) clinics in Gaza Governorates, in order to provide information that could improve the children nutritional status. This study is descriptive analytical cross sectional one, conducted on a sample of 5 UNRWA health centers. A sum of 350 children chosen through a multi- stage sampling method were their guardians interviewed in the well-baby clinic through a self-constructed interviewed questionnaire with response rate of 81.7%. Additionally, blood sample was taken from each child to examine the hemoglobin and serum AL concentration.The study finding revealed that, 48.3% of children were anemic (Hb <11 g/dl). Serum Aluminum mean was 38.5 µg/ L. About 25.2% of children had serum Aluminum level (SAL) at dangers level (> 60 µg/ L). The statistically significant factors associated SAL were family income, father and mother education and employment status. Child age, child recent weight and type of foods were also significant factors.The study revealed that, there was positive relationships between anemia prevalence and the SAL, this relation expressed by the negative relationships between hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and SAL. Also there was positive relationships between anemia prevalence and using bad quality ALC. Bivariate analysis was carried out using logistic regression in order to control the confounders, after logistic regression analysis, the only significant factor was SAL.The study results showed that, Aluminum cookware (AlC) was the most (81.3%) available utensils in Gazans houses, most (61.1%) of that found of bad quality. The significant factors associated with using ALC in preparing and saving foods were area of residency and family income, father and mother education and employment status. The majority (83.2%) of participants have a low grade of knowledge of exposure to AL and its adverse health effects. The study suggested that, dissemination of information and knowledge about the hazard of exposure to Al though ALC can be of great value to protect the Gazas people form such hazard. Emphasizing effective monitoring and strengthening the supervision of local markets and domestic manufactures, and promote benefits of iron supplementation.