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This community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and their association with nutritional behavior and other determinants. Arabic-speaking women, aged 15–49 years old, residing in Lebanon’s rural areas were included. Demographic and behavioral characteristics, obstetrical and gynecological history, personal and family medical history, and dietary intake data were collected. Predictors of anemia and IDA were determined using logistic regression. A total of 578 women were included (Lebanese: 55.2%; Syrian: 43.3%) in which 35.5% had anemia and 23.2% had IDA. The mean number of pregnancies was 3.1 ± 3.0 (number of children: 2.5 ± 2.5). In total, 30% had a personal history of anemia or IDA, 29% a family history of anemia, and 20% a family history of IDA. Iron-rich products were consumed by > 90% of the women, whereby > 66.7% mentioned eating liver, tuna, dates and nuts. Syrian nationality (OR = 2.21; CI 95%: 1.38–3.54), age (OR = 1.03, CI 95%: 1.00–1.06), personal history of anemia (OR = 1.97; CI 95%: 1.31–2.95), consumption of dates (OR = 2.07, CI 95%: 1.29–3.31), molasses (OR = 1.61; CI 95%: 1.03–2.51), and soft drinks > 5 times/week (OR = 1.66; CI 95%: 1.09–2.53) were predictors of anemia. Syrian nationality (OR = 1.73, CI 95%: 1.14–2.62), number of pregnancies (OR = 1.08; CI 95%: 1.01–1.15), period > 8 days (OR = 2.01, CI 95%: 1.07–3.80), consumption of eggs (OR = 0.48; CI 95%: 0.25–0.90), dates (OR = 2.58, CI 95%: 1.49–4.46), and coffee or tea (OR = 1.59, CI 95%: 1.03–2.45) were predictors of IDA. Anemia and IDA are prevalent in women of childbearing age in rural Lebanon. Intervention programs for raising the population’s awareness about IDA’s risk factors and proper nutrition must be implemented.

L’objectif principal de cette etude pan libanaise etait de decrire le contexte de soin des aidants familiaux libanais cohabitant avec un parent âge en perte d’autonomie, tandis que l’objectif secondaire consistait a documenter qualitativement leur perception des aspects positifs et negatifs lies a leur role d’aidant. L’etude s’appuie sur un cadre theorique du stress. Les resultats indiquent que les aidants (N = 319) donnent des soins a des parents (40 % ont des troubles de memoire) ayant un niveau plutot modere de perte d’autonomie et qui presentent davantage de comportements depressifs que de comportements dits « perturbateurs ». Les aidants sont particulierement affectes par les comportements de leur parent. Ils accomplissent plusieurs tâches de soins et tres peu d’entre eux recoivent des services formels pour leur venir en aide. Leur entourage leur offre plus de soutien emotionnel que de soutien instrumental. Les aidants sont plus nombreux a percevoir des aspects positifs que des aspects negatifs lies a leur role d’aidant. Des recommandations sont formulees pour guider l’elaboration d’une politique nationale de soutien pour les aidants et le developpement des pratiques de soins communautaires novatrices.

The primary objective of this pan Lebanese study was to describe the health care context of family caregivers cohabiting with an elderly relative with loss of autonomy while the secondary objective consisted in the qualitative documentation of their positive and negative perceptions as to the role of the caregivers. The study uses a theoretical framework of stress. The results indicate that the caregivers (N = 319) take care of relatives (40% with memory troubles) having a moderate level of loss of autonomy and who present more depressive behaviors than "disturbing" behaviors. The caregivers are particularly affected by the behaviors of their relatives. They accomplish several health care tasks and very few receive formal services to support them. Their neighborhood offers them more emotional support than instrumental support. More caregivers perceive positive aspects than negative aspects in their role. Recommendations are formulated to guide the elaboration of a national policy of support to caregivers and the development of innovative community care practices.

Background The majority of older persons in Lebanon live with their family, which provides the help and care required when their relative is functionally impaired. Knowing that taking care of an older impaired relative is considered a source of enrichment for the caregiver and an act of gratitude towards the older person in Lebanon. However, there are few formal resources to support these families. This study is informed by a theoretical framework of stress. Objective Identify the dimensions of the caring context related to the health of Lebanese family caregivers living with an older impaired relative. Design Exploratory correlational study. Participants Convenience sample \( N = 319 \) drawn from all the regions of Lebanon according to predetermined quotas on the basis of relative demographic weight and socio-economic class. The inclusion criteria are: aged 18 years or over; primary caregiver; provided help with at least one ADL or IADL once a week; lived with the older impaired person. 13.5% refused to participate in the study. The caregivers recruited were female (84%), adult children (48%) or spouses (22.6%) with a mean age of 46 years. Almost half of them reported a post-compulsory level of education and a low monthly household income and no medical coverage for 68% of them. Methods The data were collected during a face-to-face interviews with the caregivers in their homes. Results The results from regression analyses indicate that the degree of functional impairment, the frequency of depressive and disruptive behaviours of cared-for relative are linked to at least one of three caregiver health indicators \( p . 01 \) . Also, caregiver cognitive appraisal of these stressors is associated with either role strain or feeling of helplessness \( p . 05 \) . The informal emotional support received by caregivers is positively related to well-being \( p . 001 \) , whereas interpersonal conflicts with family and friends diminish caregiver well-being and increase role strain \( p . 001 \) . Sufficiency of emotional support received is negatively associated with role strain \( p . 001 \) . Conclusion Many stressors proved associated with one or other of the health indicators under study and the resources emerged as significant factors related to caregiver's health.