17. Giacaman, R. Between the Physical And Psycho-social: An Alternative View of Women's Health. Presented at ECCP-NENGOOT conference, Brussels, 1992, 17 pp.

A study conducted in the old city of Nablus to examine women's health conditions (separately from those of men). The need for this approach is evident in reports showing discrimination against females in society.

The study sample comprised 750 women. It is clearly noted that women's health problems are age/life-cycle specific. Women can be categorized into three groups according to their health needs and problems: never married mostly young women, married women of child bearing age and older women.

Women of all ages view physical health as inseparable from psychosocial health. They believe that in addition to internal (biological) causes of ill health, external causes such as poverty, inadequate sanitary and environmental conditions play a role in determining their health status. Women's suggestions for improving their health status include upgrading existing health services, providing specialty services, improving environmental and sanitary conditions and establishing recreation centers, income generating and education projects.

Young unmarried women generally considered themselves as being physically healthy. However, they complained about their inability to seek medical attention concerning gynecological and urinary tract infections and period irregularities due to social constrains. They provided "modern" explanations for health problems such as overweight. Married women of childbearing age were mainly concerned with pregnancy, childbearing, lactation and urinary tract and vaginal infections. Older women's problems comprise d chronic diseases, the cost of medications, loneliness and absence of needed social services. The study reveals that although Maternal and Child health services are very important, they are not the only component relevant to women's health.