ABSTRACT
Objectives: The present study assessed the prevalence of Breast Self-Examination [BSE] practice among female university students and identified the most important reasons for not performing BSE and also assessed their breast cancer risk perception
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among female students in three universities in Ajman namely, Gulf Medical University [Ul], offering health related programs, Ajman University of Science and Technology [U2] offering mostly science and technology programs, and Preston University Ajman [U3] offering science programs. A stratified random sampling procedure was adopted in recruiting the participants. Validated, pilot-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data related to socio-demography, information whether they practiced BSE, the frequency of BSE, timing of BSE in relation to menstruation, and if they were using any measure to remind themselves about the timing, factors that discouraged them doing BSE, whether they considered themselves to be at-risk of having breast cancer or not, how much the risk they attributed to. Data were entered in to Excel sheets and analyzed using PASW 19. The x2 test was used for testing the association
Results: The results shows that the majority of the participants were between 18-22 years of age [63.5%], from Eastern Mediterranean countries [72.2%] and unmarried [82%]. The family history of breast cancer was positive for 9.2% and was more common among second degree relatives [63.9%]. None of the students had a personal history of breast cancer. 89 [22.7%] reported 'ever practiced BSE', only 3.3% were practicing monthly, while 77.3% admitted that they were not practicing BSE. No significant association was noticed between family history of breast cancer and the practice of breast self-examination [P<0.9].No significant associations were noticed between BSE Practice and age, nationality, and university. Married female students had significantly higher frequency of BSE practice. With regard to the risk perception about breast cancer, [25%] thought that they were at risk. Higher frequency of BSE practice was seen among participants who perceived themselves to be at risk of breast cancer, but the difference was not significant
Conclusion: The study showed that the proportion of female university students who ever practiced or practiced BSE monthly was low. The most frequent discouraging factors for BSE were lack of knowledge on how to do BSE and the absence of advice of a doctor to do BSE. About one third of the respondents perceived themselves to be at risk for breast cancer and in about half of those the perceived risk was low
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine the profile of complications in patients with diabetes in the region of Ajman
Materials and Methods: Data was collected from GMC Hospital records of patients presenting with complications of diabetes from 1 January 2010 - 31 December 2010. Data analysis was done on SPSS and Chi square test was done to test associations
Results: Out of 162 patients, there were 15 patients with acute complications of which the most commonly observed was hyperglycemia [69.6%] and there were 90 patients with chronic complications of which CVD was the most frequently [48.8%]. It was also found that the age group with the most cases of acute and chronic complications were 20-39 years [66%] and 40-59 years [55.6%]. 24.7% out of 162 patients had co-morbidities, with the most common being liver disorders, followed by thyroid disorders and anemia
Conclusion: Most patients in our study presented with hyperglycemia and cardiovascular disease, with the former seen most commonly in the younger age group and the latter in the older age group. Also a significant number of patients with complications had high RBG and HbAlc levels. Therefore greater efforts are needed in controlling the blood glucose level in order to prevent long term complications
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the frequency of dysmenorrhea among women in the 16-25 age groups in Ajman
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was done in 300 female students from two universities in Ajman United Arab Emirates. The data was collected using a pilot tested, self administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the SPSS-19 and is presented mainly as tables and graphs. To verify associations the Chi square test was done
Result: The study found that the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among women within the age group of 16-25 years was 75%. Females with heavy menstrual flow with clots have higher prevalence of dysmenorrhea [91.7%] than women with slight and moderate menstrual flow [69.7%]. The most common symptoms reported by females suffering from dysmenorrhea are mild fatigue, moderate cramps, moderate back pain and mild premenstrual tension. Most common remedies taken for dysmenorrhea were taking rest [13%] and taking over the counter painkillers [41%]
Conclusion: The frequency of dysmenorrhea among women of age group 16-25 was high with three fourth of the study subjects reporting dysmenorrhea. Most common symptoms suffered were cramps followed by back pain and fatigue. Mostly dysmenorrhea was managed with over the counter pain killers
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To estimate the frequency of needle stick and sharp injuries [NSSI] among nurses in two hospitals in Ajman and to determine the nurses' awareness about the consequences and precautions regarding NSSI
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from July 2011 to March 2012 among registered nurses in two hospitals in Ajman, UAE, namely GMC Hospital and Sheikh Khalifa Hospital. A total of 186 respondents filled a self-administered questionnaire regarding their experience in handling needles and sharps and any encounter with a needle stick and/or sharps injury in the years of service in the current hospital. Their knowledge and awareness of consequences and prevention of NSSIs were also assessed. The data were expressed as frequencies and percentages
Results: Out of 186 nurses, 51 [29%] reported NSSIs. 26 [28.3%], were from GMC Hospital and 25[30.5%], were from Sheikh Khalifa hospital. 46 [29.1%], were females, while 5 [35.7%], were males. 28 [54.9%], had reported Needle Sticks and Sharps Injuries, while 23 [45.1%], did not report any history of injury. The most common instrument to cause injury were disposable syringes, 26 [51%], The majority of the nurses attributed NSSI to being rushed 22 [45.8%], and the majority of the NSSIs had occurred in the ward or at the bedside 13 [25.5%]
Conclusion: NSSIs are frequent in hospitals in Ajman. Most of these are sustained through disposable syringes, and the nurses perceived that being rushed was the cause. Most nurses understood that infection with HIVAIDS virus, Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus are possible consequences of NSSIs
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To explore the prevalence and determinants of UTI among diabetic and non-diabetic patients attending the Gulf Medical College Hospital and Research Center, Ajman, UAE
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional comparative study was conducted during February and March 2012. 400 adults [aged >20 years] attending the Internal Medicine Department outpatient in GMCHRC [200 diabetes mellitus patients and 200 non-diabetic patients] were included in the study. A validated pilot-tested questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection
Results: A positive association was found between diabetes mellitus and the development of urinary tract infections. Contributing factors that showed a significant association were age >40 years, female gender, lower education level, employment status, poor diabetic control, and age at diagnosis of diabetes [>60 years]
Conclusion: Factors such as diagnosis at older age, poor diabetes control, and socio-demographic factors like age, gender, education, and occupation were significantly associated with UTI
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To identify factors influencing the perceived academic performance among second and third year health sciences students in Ajman
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Gulf Medical University and Ajman University of Science and Technology during February and March, 2012. Incidental sampling was used in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 300 students aged 18 to 28 years
Results: The study population comprised 39.3% males and 60.7% females. 54.7% of the students were in the 18 to 20 year age group. 98 respondents were Arabs. 173 respondents were second year health science students, who formed the majority. 38.2% of students who spent more time in academic-related activities were better performers than those who spent less time on these activities [7.9%]. Chi square test showed a p value< 0.000 on association between time management skill and academic performance, which was found to be significant
Conclusion: Many academic and non- academic factors can influence academic performance by students. Of these factors, time management skill was statistically the most significant factor influencing perceived academic performance
The results suggest a guideline for student counselors and for students to improve or maintain the academic performance of the latter in educational institutions