The health and nutritional status of pregnant women based in rural Idleb in 2020

ABSTRACT Master's Thesis THE HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PREGNANT WOMEN BASED IN RURAL IDLEB IN 2020 BASEM ZOUHAIR SHAHER Thesis Supervisor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nimetcan Mehmet ORHUN Background: During 2020, a year of conflict and displacement, in Idlib, Syria this research delves into the health and nutrition of women. The aim of the study was to assess health risks and nutritional deficiencies, evaluate the impact of healthcare service availability, and compare the conditions of resident and displaced pregnant women. Method: The study in 2020 involved 15,998 women residing in Idlib, Syria both within camps and outside. We utilized questionnaires and field surveys employing bivariate statistics to collect data. By exploring factors such as status, health risks and healthcare accessibility we aimed to understand the difficulties encountered by this group. Result: The findings revealed that 10.2% of the surveyed women experienced acute malnutrition, with the highest levels observed among those aged 18 to 25 years. Notably, 86% of the women were displaced persons (IDPs), and only 14.3% of camp residents had access to nutritional supplements. Specifically, 36% of the women experienced fatigue, dizziness, and abdominal discomfort, while 28% reported no health problems. Despite regular check-ups being associated with reported health concerns, there was no association found between these check-ups and cases of maternal anemia. Conclusion: the study found that 10.2% of women, particularly those aged 18 to 25 and displaced, suffer from acute malnutrition. Limited access to nutritional supplements exacerbates this issue. Health problems, while not life-threatening, could negatively impact both women and their babies. Common symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, and abdominal discomfort. No link was found between check-ups and maternal anemia, suggesting that enhanced nutritional support is essential for improving health outcomes. Keywords: Maternal health, nutritional status, rural Idlib, conflict, displacement, healthcare access.