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Hepatitis A virus knowledge and immunization attitudes and practices in the United Arab Emirates community.

ABSTRACT: Annually, 1.5 million cases of hepatitis A infection occur worldwide. The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) has seen a decrease in infection rates and seroprevalence coupled with an increase in the average age of infection. This study aimed to assess the U.A.E. society's hepatitis A knowledge, and attitudes and vaccination practices, with the applicability of its introduction into the local immunization schedule. A self-administered, 50-item questionnaire was used to collect data from the four most populous cities in the U.A.E., between January and March 2020. A total of 458 responses were collected and analysed using IBM-SPSS-26, R-4.0.0 and Matplotlib-v3.2.1. Females had better attitudes (P = 0.036), practices (P < 0.0005), immunization schedule knowledge (AOR = 3.019; CI 1.482-6.678), and appreciation of the immunization schedule (AOR = 2.141; CI 1.310-3.499). A higher level of perceived knowledge was associated with an actual better knowledge (P < 0.0005), better practices (P = 0.011), and increased willingness to get vaccinated (AOR = 1.988; CI 1.032-3.828). Respondents were more likely to vaccinate their children against HAV if the vaccine were introduced into the National Immunization Program (P < 0.0005). Overall, disease knowledge was lacking but with positive attitudes and poor practices. There is high trust in the National Immunization Program and a potential for improving poor practices through local awareness campaigns.

SUBMITTER: Samara KA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7846788 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Hepatitis A virus knowledge and immunization attitudes and practices in the United Arab Emirates community.

Samara Kamel A KA Barqawi Hiba J HJ Aboelsoud Basant H BH AlZaabi Moza A MA Alraddawi Fay T FT Mannaa Ayten A AA

Scientific reports 20210129 1

Annually, 1.5 million cases of hepatitis A infection occur worldwide. The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) has seen a decrease in infection rates and seroprevalence coupled with an increase in the average age of infection. This study aimed to assess the U.A.E. society's hepatitis A knowledge, and attitudes and vaccination practices, with the applicability of its introduction into the local immunization schedule. A self-administered, 50-item questionnaire was used to collect data from the four most ...[more]

PMID: 33514776

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Project description:ObjectiveTo assess knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers to skin cancer screening among the general population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, an online-based questionnaire was distributed via online social media sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and others to the residents of the UAE. The questionnaire evaluated socio-demographics, knowledge (8 items), attitudes (10 items), practices (14 items), and barriers (9 items) in the context of skin cancer screening. A binary logistic regression was conducted to assess variables associated with practice levels.ResultsThe study included 924 participants (51.9% females), with a median (IQR) age of 32 (22-44) years. Results showed a window for knowledge improvement [median = 4 (3-6) out of a maximum potential score of 8], unfavourable attitudes [median = 37 (33-39) out of a maximum potential score of 50], inadequate practices [median = 41 (31-45) out of a maximum possible score of 70]. The most common barriers to skin cancer screening were lack of knowledge about skin cancer (74.1%), lack of awareness of the need for skin cancer screening (72.2%), and absence of symptoms (54.1%). Older age (OR = 0.985, 95%CI: 0.971-0.998) and lack of health insurance (OR = 0.478, 95%CI: 0.301-0.758) were associated with lower screening practices. Female gender (OR = 1.833, 95%CI: 1.361-2.469), being married (OR = 1.415, 95%CI: 1.006-1.992), being a non-smoker (OR = 1.568, 95%CI: 1.045-2.352) or a former smoker (OR = 2.555, 95% CI: 1.082-6.034), and more favourable attitudes (OR = 1.071, 95%CI: 1.044-1.096) were associated with higher screening practices.ConclusionThe UAE population exhibited moderate knowledge, unfavourable attitudes, and inadequate practices regarding skin cancer screening, with several barriers identified. Targeted online and in-person awareness campaigns are crucial for improving public understanding and attitudes, thereby enhancing screening practices, especially among older adults, males, smokers, and those without health insurance.

Project description:Obesity is a global issue whose prevalence continues to rise at a concerning rate. Over the past 30 years, many countries have witnessed the doubling or tripling of obesity rates. The growing prevalence of obesity in children is particularly worrying given that it indicates a future burden on healthcare systems. Herein, we aim to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to childhood obesity among parents of school children in Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK) and Fujairah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and May 2024 and involved parents/guardians of children from grades 1 to 12 in governmental schools in RAK and Fujairah. A standardized questionnaire adapted from the "We Can Program" was used after modification to make it suitable for the study participants. The appropriate sample size was calculated and found to be 471. A total of 510 questionnaires were included in the analysis. The study participants comprised 89.6% females, 77.6% middle-aged individuals, and 61.8% RAK residents. The results show that 96.3% of parents have good knowledge; 88.4% have a positive attitude; and 97.8% have good practices. Younger and less educated parents have a less positive attitude {odds ratio (OR) = 0.052 (0.28-0.98), p = 0.03 and OR = 0.057 (0.33-1.009), p = 0.03, respectively}. In contrast, having good knowledge increases the chances of having a positive attitude {OR = 3.81 (1.39-10.45), p = 0.015}. Males were found to have a lower probability of having good practices {OR = 0.29 (0.07-0.15), p = 0.09}. However, having good knowledge and a positive attitude increases the chances of having good practices {OR = 6.30 (1.26-31.41), p = 0.05 and OR = 23.42 (6.02-91.09, p = 0.00), respectively}. In conclusion, overall, parents/guardians from RAK and Fujairah have good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices with regard to childhood obesity. Young parents with lower educational levels tend to have a negative attitude. In general, living in RAK or Fujairah is not a contributing factor affecting the levels of overall knowledge, attitudes, and practices. However, parents in Fujairah have worse practices according to the majority of the individual practice questions related to physical activity and healthy food compared to parents in RAK. Particular emphasis should be placed on walking, biking, and using the stairs, when possible, among parents in Fujairah. National programs should be developed, targeting young parents with lower educational levels to improve their attitudes and hence their practices.

Project description:The COVID-19 pandemic is the largest viral pandemic of the 21st century. We aimed to study COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among medical and health sciences students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We performed a cross-sectional study between 2 June and 19 August 2020. The survey was distributed online using Survey Monkey. It was conducted in English and comprised two parts: socio-demographic characteristics, and KAP towards COVID-19. 712 responses to the questionnaire were collected. 90% of respondents (n = 695) were undergraduate students, while 10% (n = 81) were postgraduates. The majority (87%, n = 647) stated that they obtained COVID-19 information from multiple reliable sources. They were highly knowledgeable about the COVID-19 pandemic, but 76% (n = 539) did not recognize its routes of transmission. Medical students were significantly more knowledgeable compared with allied health students (P<0.0001, Mann Whitney U test) but there was no difference in knowledge between undergraduate and postgraduate students (P = 0.14, Mann Whitney U test). Medical students thought that more could be done to mitigate the COVID-19 situation compared with the allied health students (66.2% compared with 51.6%, p = 0.002 Fisher's Exact test). 63% (n = 431) were worried about getting COVID-19 infection, while 92% (n = 633)) were worried that a family member could be infected with the virus. 97% (n = 655) took precautions when accepting home deliveries, 94% (n = 637) had been washing their hands more frequently, and 95% (n = 643) had been wearing face masks. In conclusion, medical and health sciences students in the UAE showed high levels of knowledge and good attitudes and practices towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, they were worried about themselves or their family members becoming infected. Medical students had more knowledge about COVID-19 pandemic which was reflected in their opinion that more can be done to mitigate its effects.

Project description:BackgroundThe World Health Organization recommends continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond. This study assessed breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices among women residing on the island of Abu Dhabi and identified associated factors.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire among mothers visiting primary healthcare clinics in Abu Dhabi between November 2014 and 2015. Participants were women aged at least 18 years who had at least one child aged 2 years or younger at the time of the study. Breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices were assessed on the basis of experience with last child. Selected questions were used to develop a scaled scoring system to categorize these aspects as good, fair, or poor. Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as the act of feeding infants only breast milk since birth, without providing water, formula, or other liquid supplements.ResultsThe participants were 344 women. Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months was reported by only 46 (16.9%, 95% CI 0.10, 0.17, n = 272). 79 (28.7%, n = 275) of the participants were breastfeeding and planning to continue after the child was ≥24 months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the following factors were associated with exclusive breastfeeding: mothers with female children (adjusted OR [AOR] 2.42; 95% CI 1.18, 4.97) and better breastfeeding knowledge scores (AOR 1.25; 95% CI 1.04, 1.50). The following factors were associated with less likelihood of exclusively breastfeeding: working mothers (AOR 0.29; 95% CI 0.12, 0.72), living with relatives (AOR 0.21; 95% CI 0.05, 0.81), no past exclusive breastfeeding experience (AOR 0.23; 95% CI 0.09, 0.58) and being offered readymade liquid formula in hospital (AOR 0.33; 95% CI 0.15, 0.72). The most common reason for stopping breastfeeding was insufficient breast milk production (68/89, 76%), and the most common work related reason was inadequate maternity leave (24/89, 15%).ConclusionAlthough breastfeeding knowledge was generally good, breastfeeding practice was still suboptimal. Modifiable factors found to predict exclusive breastfeeding included breastfeeding knowledge and mothers' employment status.

Project description:BackgroundReducing global food waste is an international environmental, health, and sus-tainability priority. Although significant reductions have been achieved across the food chain, progress by UAE households and consumers remain inadequate. This study seeks to understand the association between consumer attitudes, knowledge, and awareness relating to food waste practice of residents living in the UAE. to help inform policy and action for addressing this national priority.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated semi-structured online questionnaire through stratified sampling (n =1052). The Spearman correlation coefficient was performed to determine the correlations. Two independent regression analysis were used to determine the association between food waste practice with: 1) knowledge and awareness and attitude subdomains, and 2) sociodemographic characteristics. Respondents (n=1072) largely reflect the socio-demographic characteristics and population distribution across the seven Emirates.ResultsAs expected, a significant and negative correlation was found between food waste practice knowledge and awareness and overall attitude. The regression models showed reduced food waste practice was associated with better knowledge, personal attitude, financial attitude (first model), older age and fewer adults in the household (second model). We found a significant and negative association of personal attitude (a commitment, intention), financial attitude (cost-saving motivation), and (existing) knowledge of Food waste (FW) with practice of food waste, indicating that better knowledge about FW, personal attitude or financial attitude was associated with reduction in undesirable food waste practice. While awareness and emotional attitude (moral concerns) were positively and significantly associated with food waste practice (undesirable behaviour).ConclusionsFood waste poses significant challenges in the UAE, and addressing it requires a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted factors influencing consumer behavior. By promoting knowledge, fostering positive attitudes, and considering socio-cultural factors, policymakers can develop effective strategies to reduce food waste in households and contribute to sustainable development goals.

Project description:Population's preventive practices and self-isolation is determinantal in the prevention and mitigation. This study explored the adult population's knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19 in UAE between the 4th and 14th of April 2020. The study was a community-based, cross-sectional study using a self-administered electronic questionnaire covering five different aspects: demographics, knowledge, practice, attitude, source, and trust of information, and a patient health questionnaire (PHQ-2) for depression screening. Results were analyzed using frequencies, cross-tabulation, and regression analysis. A total of 1,867 people responded to the survey. The mean age of participants was 36.0 years S.D. 10.8. Males were 19.3% and female (80.7%). Knowledge was significantly better in people with higher educational levels (B 0.17, P-value < 0.001), good preventive practice (B 0.12, P-value < 0.001), and higher perceived risk scores (B 0.053, P-value = 0.025). The best practice scores were shown by participants with older age (B 0.097, P-value < 0.05), with good knowledge (B 0.086, P-value < 0.05), were of non-UAE nationalities (B -0.08, P-value < 0.05), with jobs that cannot be practiced from home, military and health care employees (B -0.104, P-value < 0.05), had a personal history of contact with COVID-19 patients (B 0.053, P-value < 0.05), higher educational levels (B 0.052, P-value < 0.05), and a positive attitude toward taking a vaccine (B 0.088, P-value < 0.05). Depression risk was significantly higher in men, non-UAE nationals, in those with lower knowledge scores, and younger ages. The most followed practices were staying home, handwashing, avoiding social gatherings, limiting three people per vehicle, and avoiding public transportation. The least practiced measures were covering the face while sneezing or coughing and wearing masks. Although staying home was reported by 92.5% of participants, 22.6% mentioned that they were visited by more than two people and visited others in 18.4% during the last week. Social media was the source of information for 82.1% of the participants and most trusted doctors and healthcare providers. Depression risk was present in 18.9% of the participants, and most respondents (89%) agreed that SARS-COV-2 infection would be finally be successfully controlled. An encouraging finding is the willingness of two-third of the participants (64.5%) to take the COVID-19 vaccine and if it was developed, although it was very early in the pandemic. Only 14.6% said they would not take the vaccine, and 20.9% were not sure. The obtained results on knowledge and practices, although satisfactory, could be insufficient to prevent this pandemic from being contained. Therefore, we recommend the intensification of awareness programs and good practices. In addition, mental health is an area worth further studies.

Dataset Information

Hepatitis A virus knowledge and immunization attitudes and practices in the United Arab Emirates community.

Publications

Hepatitis A virus knowledge and immunization attitudes and practices in the United Arab Emirates community.

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