Phone addiction, cyberbullying, and mental health amongst young adults in the United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional study
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: AlQaderi N
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10557357 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:AimsThe prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes using FPG and HbA1c and to examine their relationships with obesity and other risk factors in young female Emirati college students.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study we recruited 555 female college students aged 17-25, enrolled at United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain, UAE. Anthropometric analysis, blood pressure, and various biochemical markers were measured using standard methods. Type 2 Diabetes, impaired fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and elevated HbA1c levels were examined in the study population as per the standards of medical care in diabetes, set out by the American Diabetes Association in 2020.ResultsBased on the HbA1c test, the prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes were 24% and 8.6%, respectively. Based on the FPG test, the prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes were 9.2% and 0.5%, respectively. The kappa statistic of concordance between HbA1c and FPG was 0.287, P < 0.001. Abnormal glycemic status was significantly associated with decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level (< 50 mg/dl) (p = 0.002) and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) level (≥ 2.0 mg/L) (P < 0.001).ConclusionsUsing FPG to evaluate glycemic control seems to underestimate the burden of undiagnosed diabetes which could have a significant impact on clinical practice. Our data indicates an association between abnormal glycemic status with HDL and Hs-CRP. Further evaluation is needed to assess the impact of using HbA1c as a diagnostic test for diabetes in the UAE.
| S-EPMC8211155 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it accounts for 40% of mortality. CVD is caused by multiple cardiometabolic risk factors (CRFs) including obesity, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension and central obesity. However, there are limited studies focusing on the CVD risk burden among young Emirati adults. This study investigates the burden of CRFs in a sample of young Emiratis, and estimates the distribution in relation to sociodemographic and behavioral determinants.MethodsData was used from the baseline data of the UAE Healthy Future Study volunteers. The study participants were aged 18 to 40 years. The study analysis was based on self-reported questionnaires, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, as well as blood analysis.ResultsA total of 5167 participants were included in the analysis; 62% were males and the mean age of the sample was 25.7 years. The age-adjusted prevalence was 26.5% for obesity, 11.7% for dysglycemia, 62.7% for dyslipidemia, 22.4% for hypertension and 22.5% for central obesity. The CRFs were distributed differently when compared within social and behavioral groups. For example, obesity, dyslipidemia and central obesity in men were found higher among smokers than non-smokers (p < 0.05). And among women with lower education, all CRFs were reported significantly higher than those with higher education, except for hypertension. Most CRFs were significantly higher among men and women with positive family history of common non-communicable diseases.ConclusionsCRFs are highly prevalent in the young Emirati adults of the UAE Healthy Future Study. The difference in CRF distribution among social and behavioral groups can be taken into account to target group-specific prevention measures.
| S-EPMC10015775 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The heterogeneity in symptomatology and phenotypic profile attributable to COVID-19 is widely unknown. For the first time, our study provides the unique advantage of obtaining samples from the Middle Eastern population, an underrepresented region in genetic studies, and explore new genotypes in this population that will yield to novel genetic association. Specifically, we studied 646 patients in the United Arab Emirates. We describe strong association signals from genes on chromosomes 2, 3, 5, 11 and 13, which carry genes that are expressed in the lung, have been associated with tumour progression, emphysema, airway obstruction, and surface tension within the lung. Identifying genetic variants associated to COVID-19 susceptibility and severity may uncover novel biological insights into disease pathogenesis and identify mechanistic targets for therapeutic and vaccine development.
2022-06-03 | GSE184150 | GEO
Project description:ObjectivePrenatal happiness and life satisfaction research are often over-shadowed by other pregnancy and birth outcomes. This analysis investigated the level of, and factors associated with happiness amongst pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates.MethodsBaseline cross-sectional data was analyzed from the Mutaba'ah Study, a large population-based prospective cohort study in the UAE. This analysis included all expectant mothers who completed the baseline self-administered questionnaire about sociodemographic and pregnancy-related information between May 2017 and July 2021. Happiness was assessed on a 10-point scale (1 = very unhappy; 10 = very happy). Regression models were used to evaluate the association between various factors and happiness.ResultsOverall, 9,350 pregnant women were included, and the majority (60.9%) reported a happiness score of ≥8 (median). Higher levels of social support, planned pregnancies and primi-gravidity were independently associated with higher odds of being happier; adjusted odds ratio (aOR (95% CI): 2.02 (1.71-2.38), 1.34 (1.22-1.47), and 1.41 (1.23-1.60), respectively. Women anxious about childbirth had lower odds of being happier (aOR: 0.58 (0.52-0.64).ConclusionSelf-reported happiness levels were high among pregnant women in the UAE. Health services enhancing social support and promoting well-being during pregnancy and childbirth may ensure continued happiness during pregnancy in the UAE.
| S-EPMC9876351 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundHuman biomonitoring is crucial for regulatory toxicology, yet data on biomarker concentrations in the UAE are lacking. This study addresses this gap by analyzing urinary concentrations of 16 metals in UAE young adults, assessing correlations with personal characteristics, dietary patterns, and lifestyle habits.MethodsA cross-sectional pilot study was conducted among 144 randomly selected young adults (71 males and 73 females) from Sharjah, UAE, between January and March 2023. Participants provided urine samples, which were analyzed for 16 heavy metals using ICP-OES, and completed detailed questionnaires covering sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, and dietary habits. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics, and linear regression analysis was applied to explore associations between metal concentrations and factors such as gender, dietary habits, and exposure to environmental risks. Non-parametric tests, including the Mann-Whitney test, were used to assess differences by gender. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured before participation.ResultsSignificant findings include dietary influences on metal exposure, with rice consumption linked to higher metal concentrations. Sex differences were significant, with females showing elevated levels of arsenic, lead, and cadmium. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking and incense use, were correlated with increased barium and boron levels.ConclusionThis study highlights the significant role of dietary habits, especially the consumption of rice, in metal exposure among young adults in Sharjah. The findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive human biomonitoring to understand environmental exposures and reform public health policies. The gender-specific differences in metal distribution suggest the necessity for targeted public health strategies. The study, however, is limited by its cross-sectional nature and the focus on a specific geographic area, warranting further research for broader generalizability. Future investigations, particularly on the impact of incense exposure on metal levels, are essential for developing comprehensive health interventions and preventive strategies in the UAE.
| S-EPMC11537376 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Aim: In this retrospective single-center study, we report our experience with a cohort of children admitted to our hospital in Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates, with confirmed COVID-19. We also compare our findings to similar reports in the literature. Patients and Methods: Between 1st March and 31st May 2020, we reviewed the electronic patient medical records of all children with confirmed COVID-19 (ICD-10 code U07.1) managed in Al Ain hospital, designated as the only COVID-19 center in the city. Results: There were 288 children admitted with a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19 during the study period (mean age 7.3 years, median 6.5, range 1 month to 16.9 years). The age-specific point prevalence was the highest under the age of 5 years (mean 2.0 per 1,000, 95% ci 1.7, 2.4) and decreased progressively to 0.6 per 1,000 (95% ci 0.4, 0.9) over the age of 14 years. Hospital admission was required for 193 (67%) children while 95 (33%) were discharged from the emergency department. Most children (n = 214, 74%) had been exposed to a family member with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and asthma which was the most frequent comorbidity (n = 37, 13%). The most common symptoms were cough (n = 130, 45%), fever (n = 14, 4.8%), upper respiratory tract infection (n = 93, 32.3%), and lower respiratory tract infection in 28 (9.7%). None of the children presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome, neurological symptoms, sepsis, or septic shock. Neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count or ANC< 1.5 × 109/L) was observed in 10.4% and thrombocytopenia (<150 platelets × 109/L) in 72% of children. Nineteen patients (9%) had abnormal imaging studies (chest X-ray and chest computed tomography). Abnormalities were bilateral in six (43%), right-sided in seven (50%) with only one child (7%) with left-sided involvement. None of the children required invasive respiratory support, but four (1.4%) required noninvasive respiratory support. The median length of hospital stay was 3.3 days [1.9, 5.9]. There were no deaths in the hospital even in those with comorbidities. Conclusions: Our results confirm previous reports of mild illness of COVID-19 in our child population, even in those with comorbidities. The age-standardized prevalence was higher in children (<5 years) compared to young adolescents.
| S-EPMC7848192 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has undergone a significant change in its population and economy in the last decades and in parallel its healthcare system has evolved rapidly to provide advanced, innovative and world-leading care. At the forefront of this revolution in healthcare is the development of a multidisciplinary multimodality thoracic service provision, offered at quaternary referral hospitals amalgamating academics, training, research and innovation. Previously, thoracic service care was limited to single providers at various public and private hospitals, usually performing lower complexity cases. Most complex thoracic cases were repatriated outside the UAE. This practice was replaced with the opening of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD), in 2015, which created a multidisciplinary thoracic program. This included the start of a mini-invasive surgical and lung transplantation program. Since that time other public and private hospitals have emerged providing care in a similar model. The impact of these programs has been a decreased transfer of patients abroad for treatment. Under the umbrella of the Emirates Thoracic Society (ETS) a platform for greater collaboration aimed at improving patient care, potential research and physician education has been created. Direct links have been established with world-leading Thoracic surgery and Respiratory Medicine Centers facilitating this development and offering support and guidance. This article charts these changes in thoracic care in the recent past, present, and delineates plans for the future in the UAE.
| S-EPMC8987826 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a leading threat to public health. It has been studied extensively in North America and Europe but much less in Arab countries. The Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) survey is a validated tool for identifying vaccine-hesitant parents; however, Arabic version is not available. This study aimed to assess the reliability of the PACV survey in the Arabic language and to determine the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy among parents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods Forward and backward translation of the PACV in the Arabic language was carried out. The reliability of the Arabic-PACV survey was tested among parents with children. The same survey was used to study vaccine hesitancy among parents attending seven ambulatory health-care services in Al-Ain city, UAE. The associations between vaccine hesitancy and socio-demographic characteristics were explored. Results: The Cronbach alpha for Arabic-PACV scores was 0.79. Three hundred participants answered the survey (response rate, 85.7%). The majority were Emirati mothers (77%) in the age group (30-49 years). Only 36 parents (12%, 95% CI 8.5,16.2) were found to be vaccine-hesitant. Parent's greatest concerns were mainly the side effects (35%), safety of vaccines (17% unsure and 28% concerned) and getting too many injections (28%). Divorced marital status was significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy (p < .001). Conclusion: The Arabic-PACV survey could serve as a tool in the evaluation of vaccine hesitancy among parents in UAE and other Arabic-speaking countries. Many parents in our community were concerned about the vaccine safety. Targeted preventive measures are needed.
| S-EPMC8641603 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundOptimal complementary feeding (CF) promotes health and supports growth and development in children. While suboptimal feeding practices are reported for many countries, very limited information exists about such practices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The present study describes CF practices in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and evaluates them using the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Programming Guide: Infant and Young Child Feeding.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, participating mothers of children below the age of two reported on their children's CF introduction and practices via a structured questionnaire. The study received ethical approval (ZU17_006_F) from Zayed University.ResultsOut of 1822 participating mothers, 938 had initiated complementary feeding for their children, who had a mean age of 7.1 ± 5.9 months. Three quarters of the children (72.2%) were introduced to CF in a timely manner between the ages of 6 and 9 months. A majority (71.4%) consumed ≥4 food groups, i.e. the recommended minimum diet diversity. In total, less than half (47.3%) of the children met the requirements for minimum meal frequency, with the non-breastfed, 6-23 month old children being the least compliant (21.9%) (p < 0.001). Many children were fed with sugar-containing snack items. Overall, 36.2% of the children aged ≥6 months had a minimum acceptable diet.ConclusionThe gap between the suboptimal CF practices and the recommendations may be attributable to poor knowledge about feeding practices rather than food availability problems. Effective intervention programs can facilitate improvements in the feeding practices to better support a healthy upbringing among Abu Dhabi infants and toddlers.
| S-EPMC7453515 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the mental well-being of students worldwide. There is a scarcity of information on the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aimed to investigate the mental health impact of the COVID-19, including depression, anxiety and resilience among a sample of university students in the UAE.MethodsA cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted from September to November 2021. The patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) were used to assess depression, anxiety, and resilience. The COVID-19 impact was assessed using a list of questions.ResultsOnly, 798 students completed the survey and were analyzed for this study. Overall, 74.8% of the students were females, 91.2% were never married, and 66.3% were UAE-nationals. Based on PHQ-9 and GAD-7 cut-off scores (≥ 10), four out of ten of the students self-reported moderate to severe depression (40.9%) and anxiety (39.1%). Significantly higher mean PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores were found among students who were impacted by COVID-19 than those non-impacted (mean PHQ-9 = 9.51 ± 6.39 and 6.80 ± 6.34; p = 0.001, respectively) and (mean GAD-7 = 9.03 ± 6.00 and 8.54 ± 6.02; respectively, p < 0.001). Female students who were impacted by COVID-19 had statistically significant higher depression and anxiety scores (mean PHQ-9 of 9.14 ± 5.86 vs. 6.83 ± 6.25, respectively; p < 0.001) than the non-impacted females (mean GAD-7 of 9.57 ± 6.32 vs. 5.15 ± 3.88, respectively; p = 0.005). Never married students had significantly higher PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores than ever-married (9.31 ± 6.37 vs. 6.93 ± 5.47, P = 0.003) and (8.89 ± 6.11 vs. 7.13 ± 5.49, respectively; p = 0.017).ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the mental health of this sample of university students in terms of depression and anxiety. The results highlight the need to adopt culturally appropriate interventions for university students and focus on vulnerable groups.
| S-EPMC9756732 | biostudies-literature