27. Jabra, A. Nutrition Survey Among Palestinian Refugees in Jordan, West Bank and Gaza, April-May 1984. UNRWA, 1984: 12 pp.

A sample was drawn from UNRWA ante-natal clinic registers (5% in Jordan and Gaza and 10% in the West Bank). Mothers and infants were asked to attend a clinic where their nutritional status was determined by anthropometry, clinical examination and Hb de termination. Questions were also asked about breast feeding and weaning practices.

The prevalence rate of wasting was 2.5% in Gaza and 1.8% in the West Bank. The prevalence rate of stunting was 20.4% in Gaza and 15.1% in the West Bank (% below 2SD). Half the children in the sample were anemic (Hb<11 mg%). The only clinical sign of vitamin or mineral deficiency was tooth fluorosis, common only in the Gaza Strip.

About 50% of pregnant and lactating women were anaemic (Hb <12 mg%).

The author assesses the trends by comparing the results with those from a similar survey carried out during 1974. It is concluded that wasting has been reduced to a minor problem, however stunting has not improved. The reasons for this were unclear, as were the reasons for the high levels of anemia.