ABSTRACT
Increase in cosmetic and prescription use of lenses is proportional to lens- related complications. Lens users in the UAE are particularly at risk of infection due to the foreign bodies and dust particles in the air during occurrences of sandstorms. To estimate the prevalence of contact lens use among university students, to assess the frequency of complications in contact lens users based on the type of lenses used, to assess the level of compliance amongst users regarding hygiene practices and to compare the frequency of complications between contact lens users and non-users. A cross sectional study was done among 241 students of Gulf Medical University, Ajman. The study included students from all the different faculties. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed, after approval by the Ethical Committee. All the data obtained from the questionnaires were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS 20 software. Of the students participating 26.3% were contact lens users. Of the contact lens users, 41% used daily wear contact lenses. Contact lens users suffered most frequently from red eyes, dry eyes, burning and itching. 23.2% non-contact lens users showed dry eyes. 73.3% of contact lens users were found to practice safe hygiene and handling of contact lenses. Contact lens use is not highly prevalent amongst students. The most common eye complications experienced by the students were red eyes, dry eyes, burning and itching. Dry eyes were a frequently experienced symptom by both non-contact lens users and contact lens users. The majority of the students practiced safe handling
ABSTRACT
To assess the level of knowledge of students aged 13-19 years in selected Iranian schools in UAE about diabetes and to identify probable misconceptions with regard to this disease among the participants. A cross sectional study was done including 200 female and male students in the age group between 13 to 19 years in selected Iranian schools. A scoring system was used by which a score of 1 or zero was given to each correct or incorrect response respectively. The total correct score was used as criteria to assess the total knowledge of students that was categorized into three parts [good, average and low]. The knowledge was also categorized into 5 domains [general knowledge, epidemiology, risk factors/ complication, investigation/ screening and lifestyle/ treatment]. Because of variation in number of items included in each domain, percentage of correct responses for these domains were compared The percentage of correct knowledge scores for the general knowledge, epidemiology of diabetes, risk factors/ complication, investigation/ screening and lifestyle/ treatment domains are 60.5%, 47.8%, 52.5%, 51.5% and 56.4% respectively. Poor knowledge scores is identified among 18% of the participant [n=34]. Poor knowledge scores are most commonly observed in males compared to females [2%Vs 14%], and in younger age adolescents [> 15 Yrs] compared to older age [> 15 Yrs]. The most common misconception is that diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar and sweets. High lack of knowledge in all knowledge domains. Poor knowledge is observed in 18% of the adolescents. Most common misconception is that sugar intake cause diabetes