ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that 80% of people with osteoarthritis (OA) have movement limitations while 25% of them cannot perform their major daily activities, thus resulting in a decline of their nutritional status and quality of life (QOL). Therefore, this study aimed to compare the nutritional status and healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL) of OA patients between gender and age group. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 131 OA patients in Rehabilitation Health Organisation, Terengganu. Socio-demographic, clinical, lifestyle histories, 24-hour dietary intake and HRQOL were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Results: Knee and/or hip OA patients recruited consisted of 19.1% of men and 80.9 % of women collectively with a mean age of 61.81 (9.28) years ranging from 38 to 83 years. The percentages of underweight, normal, overweight, and obese patients were 1.5%, 12.2%, 36.7%, and 49.6%, respectively. Further assessment of HRQOL showed that the highest mean score was obtained by the social functioning (SF) domain of 41.25 (27.16), while the mental domain scored the least mean score of 21.15 (20.92). In terms of gender breakdown, the males had significantly greater weight and height but lower body fat (BF) compared to their female counterparts, as well as a significantly higher energy, carbohydrate and protein intake. According to the age group, patients aged < 60 years had significantly greater weight, height, and BF than those aged ≥ 60 years. Conclusion: This study is an important baseline reference for proper OA management and prevention by providing crucial nutritional status and HRQOL information.
ABSTRACT
To study prevalence of 'school refusal in the United Emirates. A community survey of a stratified sample [N=1100] of 6-12 year old primary school children was carried out in Al Ain city, United Arabs Emirates using the Parents' and Teachers' versions of the Rutter Questionnaire for children's psychological health. Completed reports about 911 children were obtained. Of them, 4.1% had school refusal [refusal to go to, or getting distressed when they arrive at school]. The prevalence rate was higher in boys girls. Those with school refusal were compared to non-refuses matched for school, age and gender. The results showed that refusers showed higher rates of phychopathology [46% vs. 20% according to teachers' reports and 27% vs. 3% according to parents' reports]. However, country to expectations. Refusers were mostly showing behavior problems [14%-35%] rather emotional problems [8%-14%]. School refusal is infrequent in Arab children in the United Arab Emirates, but is more likely to be associated with symptoms of behavioral disorders. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Psychopathology , Child , Arabs , EpidemiologyABSTRACT
Several descriptive studies investigated family dynamics and relationships in Gulf Arab cultures. We aimed to revisit this area with an empirical and quantitative investigation. For that purpose we used the Family APGAR to evaluate the perceptions of fathers, mothers, teenage sons and teenage daughters in 44 families in the United Arab Emirates. Other than between sons and daughters, our results showed little agreement between those family members on their perceptions of family functioning. Cluster analysis identified three groups of different patterns of perceptions which seem to be related to the age of the parents suggesting generational differences. The findings are discussed in the light of previous research