Housing conditions and health in Jalazone Refugee Camp in Palestine.
We investigated some of the housing conditions at Jalazone Refugee Camp and their impact on refugees' health inside the camp, especially those with respiratory symptoms and diseases. A randomized sample of 200 housing units, representing one fifth of the camp's population, was selected. Approximately half of the people in our sample were under 15 years. Overcrowding and high population density were significant. There was a statistically significant relationship between some respiratory conditions (common cold, cough, tonsillitis and ear infection) and poor housing conditions (including damp and mould), overcrowding and high population density. A radical solution for the housing problem is needed to avert further negative health impacts.
Al-Khatib
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Environmental Health Unit, Institute of Community and Public Health, Birzeit University, West Bank, Palestine. ikhatib@birzeit.edu
Tabakhna
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003441:Crowding; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005658:Fungi; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007223:Infant; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011156:Population Density; D011638:Public Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012494:Sampling Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014691:Ventilation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018505:Waste Management / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014881:Water Supply / Q000706:statistics & numerical data