Health Problems (aus den Irak-News)

verfasst von Sascha, 18.09.2001, 02:09

<font size=5>Health Problems</font>

The economic embargo and the food deprivation which the Iraqi children and family in general suffer from have had serious health implications on children.

The situation is aggravated by of medicine and medical services.

These health problems which are also considered as psycho-somatic phenomenon are reviewed here in a retrogressive order and according to their intensity.

Iron Deficiency ( Anaemia )

Research findings have shown that 30.8% of the sample children suffer from Anaemia, which ranked top among the health problems the children suffer from.

It has been asserted that the economic embargo has had a direct effect in increasing the number of the cases of Anaemia as the intensity of this problem has increased by 222% after the embargo imposition years. The weighted average went up to 56 compared to 25.2 prior to the embargo with a statistical significance at 0.1 level where the Chi-Square value was 219.2.

This problem should be looked at with great concern as the Anaemia caused by lack of iron-rich foods weakens the body's resistance to diseases. In addition, the researchers found that truancy and absenteeism tend to be higher among children who suffer from Anaemia, in addition to the low level of performance at school. Full participation in school activities and study requires sound health and proper nutrition. This cannot be provided for a child who suffers from Anaemia.

Stomach Disorders

The problem of stomach disorders has ranked second in the list of the health problems of school children. Research findings showed that 16.6 of sample suffer from this problem and the intensity of its occurrence after the embargo has increased by 219% over the situation prior to the embargo. The weighted average went up from 21.5 to 47.1 following embargo imposition with a statistical significance at 0.1 level where the Chi-square value was 45-318.

The researchers found that the flowing are the main causes of this problem.



Poor quality of food which children take.
Inadequacy of food.
Some children do not have two basic meals; dinner and breakfast or breakfast and lunch.
4- psychological crises as a result of the disturbed relations inside the family because of the decline in the quality of food, clothing, drinking, and housing of the family.

Vertigo

According to our research findings, this problem has ranked third in the list of health problems covered by this study. The intensity of this problem reached 206% after the embargo over the situation before the embargo.

The weighted average went up from 24.5 to 50.6 following the embargo with a statistical significance at 0.1 level where the Chi-square value was 64.12.

Obviously, shortage of food and bad nutrition increases cases of vertigo, which is an Anaemia -related problem.

Nervous Tension

Most cases of nervous tension appear in the form of spontaneous and impulsive movements in the children's behaviour such as biting nails, increased movements of the eyelashes, shoulders shaking from time to time, moving the head sideways, thumbsucking, biting pencils and similar types of behaviour. Sometime a child might have his tension expressed in hysteric behaviour and crying which are all cases of impulsive nervous tension resulting from severe psychological tension, which a child expresses through impulsive movements. Studies have shown that nervous tension leaves a clear impact on the mental condition of the child as it causes absent- mindedness, difficulty in concentration, attention and thinking.

This problem ranked fourth on the list of the health phenomenon (problem) which the children suffer from.

The intensity of the problem reached 201% after the embargo over the condition before the embargo.

The weighted average, which was 18.7 prior to the embargo, went up to 37.5 in the embargo years with statistical significance at 0.1 level where Chi-Square value was 105.96.

The researchers believe that the main causes of the increase of this problem are:



Feeling of deprivation, especially food deprivation.
Emotional deprivation and failure to have a child's needs of love, affection, acceptance and appreciation satisfied.
Parent's failure to fulfill their promises to the children and depriving them of essential needs.
Jaundice / Hepatitis

A person can be affected by hepatitis through infection and parasites. Malnutrition and insufficient food also can cause jaundice, which might be a symptom of hepatitis. Liver could be affected as a result of the shortage of protein in food and unbalanced nutritious elements in food.

The number of cases reported of this ailment increased after the embargo and its intensity reached 198% over the situation before the embargo.

The weighted average which was 20.4 went up to 40.4 after the embargo with a statistical significance at 0.1 level where the Chi Square value was 98.42 The problem has been prevalent among the primary school children for the following reasons:



Shortage of food, medicine and lack of proper medical services.
Children do not take sufficient nutritious foods.
The rapid contagious nature of the ailment
Fatigue and Nausea

Many children go to school without having main meals such as breakfast or lunch, therefore their bodies are not well prepared for the physical and psychological efforts awaiting them at school. As a result, children's receptability to lessons and ability to take part in activities are reduced.

The intensity of this problem increased by 196% over the situation before the embargo.

The weighted average went up from 24.8 prior to the embargo to 48.6 following it with a statistical significance at 0.1 level where the Chi square value was 158.48.

The findings clearly indicate that food deprivation and poor nutrition cause fatigue and nausea.

The case starts when the body exhausts quantities of carbohydrates especially those stored in the liver and muscles in addition to the shortage of vitamin B1, which is found in milk, eggs, meats, and fruit. This causes loss of appetite, slow growth, fatigue and exhaustion.

Quelle: http://www.uruklink.net/iraqnews/ereport15.htm[/b]

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