Abstract
The links between two commonly used measures of health—self-rated health (SRH) and self-reported illness (SRI)–and socio-economic and contextual factors are poorly understood in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) and more specifically among women in conflict areas. This study assesses the socioeconomic determinants of three self-reported measures of health among women in the occupied Palestinian territories; self-reported self-rated health (SRH) and two self-reported illness indicators (acute and chronic diseases). Data were obtained from the 2010 Palestinian Family Health Survey (PFHS), providing a sample of 14,819 women aged 15–54. Data were used to construct three binary dependent variable—SRH (poor or otherwise), and reporting two SRI indicators—general illness and chronic illness (yes or otherwise). Multilevel logistic regression models for each dependent variable were estimated, with individual level socioeconomic and sociodemographic predictors and random intercepts at the governorate and community level included, to explore the determinants of inequalities in health. Consistent socioeconomic inequalities in women’s reports of both SRH and SRI are found. Better educated, wealthier women are significantly less likely to report an SRI and poor SRH. However, intra-oPt regional disparities are not consistent across SRH and SRI. Women from the Gaza Strip are less likely to report poor SRH compared to women from all other regions in the West Bank. Geographic and residential factors, together with socioeconomic status, are key to understanding differences between women’s reports of SRI and SRH in the oPt. More evidence is needed on the health of women in the oPt beyond the ages currently included in surveys. The results for SRH show discrepancies which can often occur in conflict affected settings where a combination of ill-health and poor access to health services impact on women’s health. These results indicate that future policies should be developed in a holistic manner by targeting physical and mental health and well-being in programmes addressing the health needs of women, especially those in conflict affected zones.
Highlights
Health research and policy efforts focused on women in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) have concentrated on women’s reproductive lives, antenatal care and the spacing and limiting of births
Our analyses showed a concordance between self-reported illness (SRI) and selfrated health (SRH) health measures with significant differences in explanatory patterns across the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) by region and socioeconomic status
Our analyses show that in the oPt women’s health is determined by a diverse range of factors, including regional, socioeconomic, demographic and cultural factors
Summary
Health research and policy efforts focused on women in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) have concentrated on women’s reproductive lives, antenatal care and the spacing and limiting of births. Women’s health beyond reproductive ages in LMICs is generally neglected [1]. We know little about women’s health needs and health service utilization beyond those linked to reproduction [2, 3]. Failure to understand and meet women’s health needs beyond their reproductive years is detrimental to health across the lifecourse, especially given the increasing importance of non-communicable diseases at older ages in LMICs [4]. This neglect is pronounced in areas of protracted conflict such as the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) where shortages of services and barriers to access make healthcare even more challenging [4].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
