ABSTRACT
Background: data on the use of emergency medical services [EMS] by patients with cardiac conditions in the Gulf region are scarce, and prior studies have suggested underutilization. Patient perception and knowledge of EMS care is critical to proper utilization of such services
Objectives: to estimate utilization, knowledge, and perceptions of EMS among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Methods: we conducted a multicenter prospective study of consecutive patients admitted with STEMI in four government?operated hospitals in Abu Dhabi. Semi?structured interviews were conducted with patients to assess the rationale for choosing their prehospital mode of transport and their knowledge of EMS services
Results: of 587 patients with STEMI [age 51 +/- 11 years, male 95%], only 15% presented through EMS, and the remainder came via private transport. Over half of the participants [55%] stated that they did not know the telephone number for EMS. The most common reasons stated for not using EMS were that private transport was quicker [40%] or easier [11%]. A small percentage of participants [7%] did not use EMS because they did not think their symptoms were cardiac?related or warranted an EMS call. Stated reasons for not using EMS did not significantly differ by age, gender, or primary language of the patients
Conclusions: EMS care for STEMI is grossly underutilized in Abu Dhabi. Patient knowledge and perceptions may contribute to underutilization, and public education efforts are needed to raise their perception and knowledge of EMS
ABSTRACT
In most Arab countries, including Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates [UAE], cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy seen in women. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether or not cervical cancer screening [CCS] is important in the detection of precancer and early cervical cancers, and if so, to understand how it can most effectively be implemented in the UAE. Before introducing any CCS programme, it is important to determine [1] the knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] of physicians involved in the screening programme, [2] the actual prevalence of the precancer and cancer of the cervix, and [3] the choice of treatment modalities available. These factors will determine the likely effectiveness of screening. As in other Arab countries, women in the UAE have little awareness of Papanicolaou's stain test [also known as the Pap smear], and so many have never undergone this test. This is critical, as many patients present with advanced-stage disease in countries where awareness is low. Our observations indicate that there are significant gaps in the KAP of primary health care physicians with regard to CCS. Additionally, standards in colposcopy and cytology services are severely lacking, despite good treatment modalities. Based on this study, it is imperative that physicians receive training and that quality control measures be implemented prior to the introduction of CCS, to ensure that the programme can succeed in the UAE. In this way, the experience of the UAE should serve as a learning model for other countries in the Arab world, where CCS and prevention programmes have yet to be initiated