Abstract: Hemoglobin level could be affected by different interfering factors that include nutritional, socio-demographical, economical, and habitual determinant factors. The present study was designed and aimed at the identification of possible factors that could affect the hemoglobin level in adolescence students (14-22 years) at Gaza Strip, Palestine. Complete blood count (CBC), serum iron (SI), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and HbA2 were performed on blood samples of 1171 students from both sexes (548 M & 623 F). Socioeconomic, demographic, habitual and nutritional information were collected through close-ended questionnaire. Iron deficiency and beta thalassemia minor are prevalent in 9.6 % and 4.2 respectively of the adolescent students. At all categorizations, except in carriers for beta thalassemia gene, significantly higher hemoglobin levels were reported in males than females. The determinant factors for hemoglobin level of the overall subjects were student education (school vs university), parents consanguinity, geographical locality (urban, rural, refugee camp), owning house, smoking, family size/income, tea drinking, consumption of citrus, meat, and green leafy vegetables. It was concluded that the health providers in Palestine should increase the efforts and concerns about the health status of the adolescents. Educational and awareness programs are necessary to increase the consciousness and attentiveness of the students, specially females, for the risk factors that negatively affect their hemoglobin level.
Keywords: hemoglobin, determinant factors, socioeconomic, demographic, refugees.
