Vocal symptoms among teachers from selected schools across the UAE

To determine the proportion of school teachers with vocal symptoms in the selected schools across the UAE, to determine distribution of vocal symptoms by selected epidemiological variables [age, gender, and medical history of asthma, respiratory allergies, sinusitis, gastric reflux, and hypothyroidism], and to determine the proportion of teachers who sought medical treatment for the vocal symptoms. A cross sectional study was done between June 2012 and March 2013. The study included teachers aged from 20 to 50 years in five selected schools in the UAE, who were present at time of data collection and who gave informed consent. A validated, pilot tested, self- administered questionnaire was used as a tool. The GMU Ethics Committee approved the study and acceptance letters were obtained from the selected schools before data collection. Data from questionnaires were entered on Microsoft Excel, and analyzed using the SPSS software version 20. A p value < 0.05 was considered for level of significance. A total of 200 questionnaires [the number was determined conveniently] were distributed among teachers of which 173 questionnaires were filled in [response rate=86.5%] and analyzed. Out of the respondents, 140 [81%] teachers suffered from vocal symptoms. The study showed a highly significant relation between the duration of voice usage per day and presence of vocal symptoms [p < 0.001]. This study showed a significant association between vocal symptoms and history of sinusitis, gastric reflux and tonsillitis. 17 [12%] teachers suffering from vocal symptoms opted for medical treatment. 140 [81%] of the teachers suffered from vocal symptoms. The presence of vocal symptoms was significantly associated with the duration of voice usage per day and pre-existing medical conditions such as sinusitis, gastric reflux and tonsillitis. 17 [12%] teachers suffering from vocal symptoms opted for medical treatment

Nasobronchial allergies among university students in Ajman, United Arab Emirates

The prevalence of wheezing and allergies among the population in Arab countries are on a rise due to urbanization that resulted in substantial environmental changes. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms is about 14% among school children but data on adolescent groups in the Gulf region are lacking. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of wheezing and bronchial asthma among undergraduate students of Gulf Medical University. A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students of Gulf Medical University using a self-administered questionnaire for data collection. The demographic data, the wheezing and bronchial asthma characteristics and family history were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 19. Of the total of 255 students that were included, 120 [47%] had allergic rhinitis and 31 [12.2%] bronchial asthma. A total of 71 [27.8%] had symptoms of wheezing [females were 66% and males 34%; African [24%] and Pakistani [22.5%] nationals]. Of the 71 students, 41 [57.7%] students experienced 1-3 episodes during the previous year, 13 [18.3%] and had episodes limiting their speech. Exercise-induced wheezing was experienced by 62 [24.3%] participants. The wheezing episodes were most frequent in January and March. A positive family history of wheezing was reported by 29[40.8%] of the students. 40.8% students reported that wheezing interfered with their daily and extra-curricular activities. Bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis had a positive association with family history [p<0.05]. Allergic rhinitis was frequent among Pakistani, African and Emirati nationals. Symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis had significantly affected the quality of life of the students. Strong family history was also noted for allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Asthma was associated with a high rate of allergic rhinitis symptoms. The prevalence of asthma in this study is within the reported prevalence ranges from UAE and many other parts of the world

Prevalence of allergies among university students in Ajman, UAE

Urbanization and globalization in UAE has resulted into drastic environmental changes and increase in the allergens present in the environment and the prevalence of allergies. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of allergies among undergraduate students of Gulf Medical University. This cross-sectional survey was carried out among undergraduate students of Gulf Medical University. A self administered questionnaire was used as research instrument for data collection. The demographic data and the allergy characteristics were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 19. descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. A total of 255 students [33.3% males and 66.7% females] were included. The commonest allergies among the students were allergic conjunctivitis [104 [40.8%]], allergic dermatitis [89[34.9%]], dust allergies [58 [22%]] and eczema in [38 [14.9%]]. A positive family history of allergies was reported by 62 [24.3%] for allergic dermatitis and 33 [12.9%] for allergic conjunctivitis. Allergies associated with pollen, food and drugs were less frequent allergy. Students with allergies reported interference with their daily activities, and academic, social and extra-curricular activities. Overall higher proportion of students had allergies especially among the African and Pakistani students. Adequate preventive strategies should be initiated to crumb this rising prevalence of allergies

Nasobronchial allergies among university students in Ajman, UAE

Objective: The prevalence of wheezing and allergies among the population in Arab countries are on a rise due to urbanization that resulted in substantial environmental changes. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms is about 14% among school children but data on adolescent groups in the Gulf region are lacking. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of wheezing and bronchial asthma among undergraduate students of Gulf Medical University

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students of Gulf Medical University using a self-administered questionnaire for data collection. The demographic data, the wheezing and bronchial asthma characteristics and family history were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 19

Results: Of the total of 255 students that were included, 120 [47%] had allergic rhinitis and 31 [12.2%] bronchial asthma. A total of 71 [27.8%] had symptoms of wheezing (females were 66% and males 34%; African [24%] and Pakistani [22.5%] nationals). Of the 71 students, 41 [57.7%] students experienced 1-3 episodes during the previous year, 13 [18.3%] and had episodes limiting their speech. Exercise-induced wheezing was experienced by 62 [24.3%] participants. The wheezing episodes were most frequent in January and March. A positive family history of wheezing was reported by 29[40.8%] of the students. 40.8% students reported that wheezing interfered with their daily and extra-curricular activities. Bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis had a positive association with family history [p<0.05]. Allergic rhinitis was frequent among Pakistani, African and Emirati nationals. Symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis had significantly affected the quality of life of the students

Conclusion: Strong family history was also noted for allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Asthma was associated with a high rate of allergic rhinitis symptoms. The prevalence of asthma in this study is within the reported prevalence ranges from UAE and many other parts of the world