Depression Harbi , Alya; Abdul Razzak , Hira; Ahli , Shaima
Oman medical journal,
07/2019, Letnik:
34, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Depression is a prevalent mental healthcare problem and a common cause of disability worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of depression in individuals ...living in the UAE. We used a systematic review approach, searching PubMed and Scopus electronic databases to collect studies conducted between 2007 and 2017 on the UAE population (both citizens and expatriates) relating to depression. After evaluating and screening relevant articles, a review of 14 articles was conducted. The prevalence of depression and study populations varied widely across studies with some including students and workers and others limited to those with diabetes. The most common contributing factors were female sex, financial difficulties/ low socioeconomic status, stressful life events, lack of social support, serious or chronic illness (e.g., diabetes, obesity, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis), and a history of eating disorders. Vitamin D deficiency was also highlighted as a risk factor for seasonal depression. Even though previous evidence has promulgated the role of numerous causative factors, the epidemiological studies including risk factors such as personal or family history of depression, low academic performance, and the use of alcohol remain lacking. Further research is needed to identify effective strategies for treating and preventing depression in the future.
This study aimed to examine acceptance levels of and attitudes towards telemedicine among users in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and assess associations between perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ...ease of use (PEOU), attitudes towards use (ATU) and behavioural intention of use (BIU) in relation to telemedicine technology.
This cross-sectional study used a simple random sampling design to obtain an appropriate sample from throughout the UAE. The technology acceptance model (TAM) and Rogers' diffusion of innovations (DOI) theory were applied as the conceptual basis for this study. An Arabic/English version of the questionnaire was distributed via email to physicians and nurses, members of the public (including patients), healthcare directors and information technology professionals. Data were collected from 1st March to 30th August 2019 and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
A total of 330 participants were included (response rate: 85.7%). BIU and PU were considered important elements of TAM in the adoption of telemedicine services compared to the other variables. The association between PEOU (beta = 0.033,
= 0.692), PU (beta = 0.034; P = 0.679) and ATU (beta = 0.055;
= 0.421) in relation to telemedicine were positive but not significant. However, BIU was found to be a strong significant predictor of actual usage (beta = 0.224;
= 0.003).
This study confirms TAM's applicability in the adoption of telemedicine services in the UAE. The results show that users' perceptions were significantly related to their behavioural intention to use telemedicine. Factors influencing telemedicine technology are likely to vary as technology acceptance in other geographical areas may differ from the sample presented here.
Background/Objectives. This paper seeks to identify the prevalence of Phenylketonuria (PKU) in Arab countries, Turkey, and Iran. The study reviewed the existence of comprehensive national newborn ...screening programs and reported consanguinity rates. Methods. A computer based literature search was conducted using relevant keywords to retrieve studies conducted on PKU. A total of 34 articles were included. Prevalence was categorized based on the type of screening method used for PKU diagnoses. Results. The prevalence of classical PKU diagnosed through a comprehensive national newborn screening program ranged from 0.005% to 0.0167%. The highest prevalence was reported in Turkey at 0.0167%, whereas the lowest prevalence was reported in the UAE, 0.005%. Conclusion. The findings of this review emphasize the need for the establishment of more efficient reporting systems in these countries that would help measure Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) in order to estimate the overall societal burden of PKU.
Objectives: Tobacco smoking is a major public health concern and a leading cause of preventable death. We sought to review epidemiological studies available on the prevalence of tobacco use, the ...associated health effects, and interventions that have undergone evaluation concerning smoking cessation and prevention in the UAE.
Methods: An electronic search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was conducted using appropriate keywords for articles published between 2007 and 2017. We included all English-language articles in addition to research articles on the UAE populations (including both citizens and expatriates).
Results: Fourteen articles were included, of which 11 were cross-sectional studies, one was a cohort longitudinal study, one was quasi-experimental, and one case-control study. Our results suggest that current smoking prevalence estimates vary widely. This is the first study in the region to review the smoking prevalence, health risk, and interventions in the UAE.
Conclusions: UAE Government demonstrated excellent efforts by raising the cost of smoking through taxation, mounting sustained social marketing campaigns, and ensuring that health professionals routinely advise smokers to stop smoking accompanied by behavioral and pharmacological support for cessation. Hence, future research should be more focused on evaluating the outcome and impact of current anti-smoking campaigns.
Diabetes mellitus is a non-communicable disease which has become a major global public health issue. This systematic review summarized epidemiological studies related to the prevalence, risk factors, ...complications, incidence, knowledge, attitude and practices of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) among Arab population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
PubMed, Scopus databases, Science direct, Wiley online library, and other local journals were searched to identify relevant literature using appropriate keywords to retrieve studies conducted in the UAE. Search limits were restricted to studies in English language, between 2007 and 2016, and on UAE population (both citizens and expatriates).
Electronic database search yielded 24 studies about the prevalence, incidence, complications, risk factors, knowledge, attitudes and practices of diabetes, including cross sectional studies (n =18), population-based survey (n = 1), retrospective cohort studies (n = 3), qualitative (n=1), and randomized controlled trial (n = 1). Countrywide prevalence estimates of Diabetes Mellitus were reported to be high. The major determinants of Diabetes Mellitus involved hypertension, physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle, and unhealthy diet.
Even though past evidences have promulgated the role of numerous causative factors, the epidemiological implications of some of the risk factors including family history, educational level, and the use of alcohol remain elusive. This systematic review signifies epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus in the United Arab Emirates and suggests that extra efforts are needed for preventive and curative strategies in order to decrease the burden of this non-communicable disease.
This article presents a comprehensive review of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the evaluation and/or diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. ...A systematic review was undertaken to summarise the recommendations reported in CPGs. MEDLINE
(National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature
(EBSCO Information Services, Ipswich, Massachusetts, USA) and other databases were searched to retrieve CPGs. A total of five guidelines were included for analysis. The selected CPGs were appraised independently by five reviewers using the AGREE II instrument. The highest total score was achieved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines (91.4%) followed by the CPGs from the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, Canadian Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Resource Alliance, British Association of Psychopharmacology and the American Academy of Paediatrics. By appraising current ADHD guidelines, clinicians cannot only identify CPGs related to ADHD but can also determine which guidelines should be considered of high quality and trustworthy to follow during clinical practice. The researchers recommend using the AGREE II instrument for CPG appraisal in healthcare professional education and training. Improvements in the applicability of guidelines are warranted in the future to enhance its clinical use and relevance.
Hypertension and prehypertension pose significant public-health and clinical challenges for both economically developed and developing nations. Prevalence of these conditions are frequently ...underreported because of its often-silent nature. Population-based studies that explore the occurrence and correlates of these conditions are scarce in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension and prehypertension on a representative sample of males and females living in Al-Kharj town in Saudi Arabia.
Cross-sectional analysis was performed from January 2016 until June 2016 by recruiting a representative sample (n = 1019; aged 18 to 67 years) of the Al Kharj population. All participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, followed by a physical examination and blood test. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 24.0 for Windows.
The prevalence of prehypertension was 66.1, 48.1 and 54.9% in male, female and all subjects, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension was 6.0, 4.2 and 4.9% in male, female and all subjects, respectively. Being overweight was associated with the highest risk of hypertension (OR = 4.98 95% C.I. = 1.98-12.52, P = 0.001). People who were classified as class I obese had 3.5 times the risk of hypertension compared with the non-obese group (OR = 3.49 95% C.I. = 1.42-8.63, P = 0.007). Risk of pre-hypertension was significantly lower in females (OR = 0.48 95% C.I. = 0.32-0.71) and tends to increase with obesity status. Gender-specific analyses found that males in the lowest education attainment level had a significantly increased risk of pre-hypertension (OR = 6.56 95% C.I. = 1.27-33.85, P = 0.003).
This population-based study in Saudi Arabia shows that hypertension and prehypertension are common conditions particularly among males. Overweight and obesity was associated with both conditions. In addition, lower education attainment was a significantly associated factor among males. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm the etiological nature of such associations.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) remain significant health and developmental challenge in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The four main NCDs accounted for 77% of all deaths in UAE and 17% of premature ...deaths (30–70 years). The UAE National Agenda 2021 reflects high-level political commitment demonstrating strong leadership to address the national challenge and meet the global commitments providing a clear roadmap to guide planning, implementation, multisectoral response, and accountability for NCD Prevention and Control. This paper, therefore, aims to present the national response to NCD highlighting the strong leadership of the government at the highest level in the UAE, together with multisectoral engagements, thus establishing a national accountability framework.
Obesity and overweight are accompanied with several different chronic diseases. Overweight and obesity can be measured by using body mass index (BMI) and is also used widely as an index of relative ...adiposity among any population. The aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among general population in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Cross-sectional analysis was undertaken from a representative sample (N = 1019) of the Al Kharj population. Anthropometric measurements including the waist circumference (in centimeters), height (in meters), and weight (in kilograms) of the subjects were undertaken by means of standard apparatus. SPSS 24.0 was utilized for statistical analysis of the data.
Majority of respondents in this study were overweight and obese (54.3%) compared with 45.7% being non-obese. A linear positive association of increasing BMI with older age groups was present in males and females. Men had larger waist circumference, weight and height measures as compared with their female counterparts. Regression analysis showed increasing age, being married and high serum cholesterol to be the significant predictors of overweight and obesity while gender, education level, job status, and having diabetes were not.
The obesity-overweight prevalence in the Saudi population is high mainly across both genders. However, the associated factors are potentially preventable and modifiable. The regional barriers to lifestyle modifications and interventions to encourage active lifestyles, especially among adolescents to limit the occurrence of obesity and ultimately promote health and wellbeing, are warranted. Furthermore, prospective studies are needed in future to confirm the aetiological nature of such associations.
The General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) is one of the most unique and extensively used self-report instruments for evaluating psychological disorders and strains. However, the factor structure ...of GHQ-12 has not been fully explored. The current study aims to assess the factorial structure of GHQ-12 in a large cross-sectional data-set extracted from Al Kharj central region of Saudi Arabia.
Population based cross sectional data was extracted from January 2016 to June 2016 from Al Kharj population recruiting 1019 respondents aged 18 and above. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied together with multiple regression analysis to extract and retain factors. Mean GHQ-12 score for demographic and health-related traits were used for assessing this association. Statistical analysis was carried out using STATA version 12.1.
Three factors, including social dysfunction, anxiety, and loss of confidence were extracted from the factor structure. 55% of the overall variance was obtained through these factors. Total score of GHQ-12 ranged from 0 to 32 with a mean score of 12.
Investigation of the factor structure of GHQ-12 demonstrated that GHQ-12 is a good measure for evaluating the general health of Saudi population. Future studies based on a larger sample size of non-clinical respondents will be useful to evaluate the practical effectiveness of GHQ-12 factors.
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