Breast cancer awareness among female university students in Ajman, UAE

Knowledge of female university students regarding breast cancer and its preventive measures and the main misconceptions regarding breast cancer were assessed. This cross-sectional study was conducted among female university students in three large Universities in Ajman, namely Gulf Medical University [referred to as U1], offering health related programs; Ajman University of Science and Technology [referred to as U2] offering mostly science and technology programs; and Preston University Ajman [referred to as U3] offering science programs. A validated, pilot-tested self administered questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. A score less than 60% was considered as inadequate knowledge. Data were entered in to Excel sheets and analyzed using PASW 19. The tests used were Independent Samples Kruskal-Wallis test and chi-square 2 test. Family history of breast cancer was reported by 9.2% [36] of the participants, which had affected mostly second degree relatives [63.9%]. None of the students had a personal history of breast cancer. The most widely known risk factors for breast cancer were previous cancerous growth in the breast [72.4%], family history of breast cancer [70.2%], radiation to chest [67.9%] and smoking cigarettes [65.3%]. The most frequent correct response about the warning signs of breast cancer [61%], was "Painless breast lump", next was "change in the size or shape of the breast" [60.2%. Among the participants, 53.8% had heard about Breast Self-Examination and 44.1% Clinical Breast Examination. Significantly higher knowledge scores regarding risk factors for breast cancer are noticed among participants from countries in the Americas, from universities offering only medical/ health related programs, and those having family history subgroups respectively. the most frequent misconceptions are "Treatment for breast cancer affects woman's feminity", "Herbal remedies and dietary supplements can treat breast cancer' and "There is little that I can do to prevent cancer" reported by 62.5%, 56.4% and 49.7% respectively. Inadequate knowledge [scores <60%] regarding breast cancer among a high proportion of female university students and on knowledge about the risk factors, warning signs and methods for early detection of breast cancer was observed. Most frequent misconception reported was "Treatment for breast cancer affects woman's feminity". Educational campaigns are necessary to fill the gap in knowledge

Micro-biota of vaginal infection among women in the reproductive age group: a hospital-based study

To study the prevalence of micro-organisms causing vaginal infection in women of child bearing age attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Department. This study was done with 479 patients in the age group of 15-45 years attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology OPD of Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman with various gynecological complains between January 2010 to December 2011. Sociodemographic details along with their reproductive history were recorded from the medical records. Vaginal swabs were taken from the patients irrespective of their marital status and sent for smear examination and culture identification. The presence of concomitant diseases in these patients was also recorded. Out of 479 patients studied, 50% were Asians followed by Middle East and African patients [47%] and Caucasians [3%]. Ninety percent of the patients were in the age group of 20-40 years. Eighty three percent were married and had children and the rest did not have any children. The majority of the women complained of vaginal discharge [83%], pruritus vulvae [45%], dysuria [18%], abdominal pain [16%] and vulvo vaginitis [5%]. Microbiology reports revealed normal flora in 29% of the specimens collected. The most common organism found was Candida species [51%] among the specimens. Bacterial infection was found in 36% cases, of which Gram negative cocci [Gonococci] were more prevalent than Gram positive cocci [Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species; 18%]. The incidence of Gram negative bacilli was 7% and that of the flagellates belonging to Trichomonas species was 13.5%. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were present in 9.4% and 3.3% patients respectively which did not show any correlation with the microbial flora. The vaginal infection was identified in 71% women in their reproductive age with or without disease symptoms. It is recommended that all women should get a periodic checkdone for any asymptomatic infection

Breast self-examination practice and breast cancer risk perception among female university students in Ajman, UAE

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. 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. 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. 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