Double burden of malnutrition under the chronic conflicts in Palestine: health literacy as a key factor to overcome the challenges

• Project/Area Number: 16KT0039
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 特設分野
• Research Field: Conflict Studies
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: JIMBA Masamine 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 教授 (70196674)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 藤屋 リカ 慶應義塾大学, 看護医療学部(藤沢), 講師 (40583935)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-07-19 – 2020-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2019)
• Budget Amount: ¥17,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥13,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥4,050,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥3,640,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥840,000); Fiscal Year 2017: ¥7,540,000 (Direct Cost: ¥5,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,740,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥6,370,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,470,000)
• Keywords: 学校保健 / 栄養問題の二重負担 / 肥満 / 低栄養 / 紛争地 / パレスチナ / 混合研究法 / ヘルスリテラシー / 紛争 / 栄養 / 政治的暴力

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We conducted quantitative and qualitative studies to identify the factors associated with and the potential of health literacy as a key factor for adolescents to survive chronic conflicts in Palestine. During the research, we validated the Arabic version of the health literacy assessment scale in Palestine. A challenge against the gender gap in health literacy among Palestinian university students arose during the study. We found, through this research, that by improving health literacy levels, adolescents might be able to live healthier and happier lives even under the circumstances of chronic violence.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

パレスチナにおけるヘルスリテラシーの研究はこれまでになく、青少年の健康情報源やヘルスリテラシーのレベル、また関連する要因を明らかにしたことは学術的意義をもつ。パレスチナにおいてアラビア語版ヘルスリテラシー尺度の妥当性と信頼を確認できたことも、学術的に大きく貢献できた点である。政治的混乱から、現在の厳しい環境の改善は難しく、そのような状況下でも青少年がよりよく健康に生きるためのツールとしてヘルスリテラシーの可能性を提示できたことは、社会的意義が深い。

Research Products

• [Int'l Joint Research] ビルゼイト大学(パレスチナ(PLO))
• [Int'l Joint Research] ビルゼイト大学(パレスチナ(PLO))
• [Journal Article] Dissemination and implementation of the e-MCHHandbook, UNRWA’s newly released maternal and child health mobile application: a cross-sectional study (2020)
  • Author(s): Seif Nasir, Ryunosuke Goto, Akiko Kitamura, Sahar Alafeef, Ghada Ballout, Majed Hababeh, Junko Kiriya, Akihiro Seita, Masamine Jimba
  • Journal Title: BMJ Open Volume: 10(3) Issue: 3 Pages: e034885-e034885
  • DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034885
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Journal Article] Perceptions of adolescent health literacy in the Palestinian social context: a qualitative study (2019)
  • Author(s): Mohammed B A SARHAN, Akiko KITAMURA, Rika FUJIYA, Masamine JIMBA, Rita GIACAMAN
  • Journal Title: Japanese Journal of Health Education and Promotion Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Pages: 29-42
  • DOI: 10.11260/kenkokyoiku.27.29
  • NAID: 130007604913
  • ISSN: 1340-2560, 1884-5053
  • Year and Date: 2019-02-28
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access / Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Perceptions of adolescent health literacy in the Palestinian social context: a qualitative study (2018)
  • Author(s): Mohammed BA Sarhan,Akiko KITAMURA, Rika FUJIYA, Masamine JIMBA, Rita GIACAMAN
  • Organizer: The 10th Lancet Palestinian Health Alliance (LPHA)
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Health of Palestinians (2017)
  • Author(s): Rita Giacaman
  • Organizer: グローバルヘルス合同大会
  • Invited
• [Presentation] Health Issues for Palestine Refugees: "No health without peace: why SDG16 is essential for health" (2017)
  • Author(s): 清田明宏
  • Organizer: グローバルヘルス合同大会
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] No Peace without Justice - How to achieve the Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination through health? (2017)
  • Author(s): 今野泰三
  • Organizer: グローバルヘルス合同大会
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Funded Workshop] シンポジウム”No Health without Peace - A Case of Palestine” (2017)
• [Funded Workshop] 国際ワークショップ"Health and Peace of Palestinians" (2017)