RESUMEN
Objectives: Spousal concordance is defined as similar behaviours and associated health statuses between spouses. This study aimed to identify the concordance of diabetes mellitus [DM] and related variables among genetically unrelated couples in Ajman, United Arab Emirates [UAE]
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 270 married women attending either the Mushairef Health Center or the Gulf Medical College Hospital in Ajman between May and November 2012. A validated questionnaire was designed to determine sociodemographic characteristics and a history or family history of DM, hypertension, coronary artery disease or dyslipidaemia among the women and their husbands. The weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood sugar and glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] levels of all women were measured
Results: Of the women, 39.3% of those with diabetic husbands and 39.9% of those with non-diabetic husbands were diabetic themselves [P >0.050]. The prevalence of DM spousal concordance was 17.8%. A history of hypertension, coronary artery disease and dyslipidaemia was significantly more frequent among women whose husbands had a history of the same conditions [P = 0.001, 0.040 and 0.002, respectively]. Spousal concordance of abnormal glycaemia among non-diabetic women with diabetic husbands was significant [P = 0.001]. Having a diabetic husband [P = 0.006] and being obese [P = 0.009] were the only significant predictors of hyperglycaemia among non-diabetic women after controlling for confounding factors
Conclusion: There was significant concordance of abnormal glycaemia among non-diabetic women with diabetic husbands. The spouses of diabetic patients may therefore be a target population for regular hyperglycaemia and DM screening
RESUMEN
The aim of this study was to assess female university students' knowledge of breast cancer and its preventative measures and to identify their main misconceptions regarding breast cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2011 and June 2012 and included female students from three large universities in Ajman, United Arab Emirates [UAE]. A stratified random sampling procedure was used. Data were collected through a validated, pilot-tested, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included 35 questions testing knowledge of risk factors, warning signs and methods for the early detection of breast cancer. Participants' opinions regarding breast cancer misconceptions were also sought. Results: The participants [n = 392] were most frequently between 18 and 22 years old [63.5%], non-Emirati [90.1%] and never married [89%]. A family history of breast cancer was reported by 36 [9.2%] of the students. The percentage of participants who had low/below average knowledge scores regarding risk factors, warning signs and methods for early detection of breast cancer was 40.6%, 45.9% and 86.5%, respectively. Significantly higher knowledge scores on risk factors were noticed among participants with a family history of breast cancer [P = 0.03]. The misconception most frequently identified was that "treatment for breast cancer affects a woman's femininity" [62.5%]. A profound lack of knowledge about breast cancer was noted among female university students in the three UAE universities studied. The most prominent gaps in knowledge identified were those concerning breast cancer screening methods
RESUMEN
Obesity is known to be a significant risk factor for metabolic disorders including increase in blood pressure. Body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC] and Waist/Hip ratio [WHR] are simple and effective indicators of obesity. The objectives of this study were to examine the relationships between obesity anthropometric indicators and hypertension and to identify the best anthropometric indicator/s that can predict hypertension risk among youth in the UAE. A 110 first year students in a Medical University in Ajman., UAE, during the year 2009-2010 were included in a cross-sectional study. The height, weight, WC, hip circumference and blood pressure were measured and the BMI and WHR were calculated for each student and used in the analyses. The mean values for BMI, WC, hip circumference and WHR, were significantly higher in the Pre/Hypertensive group compared to normal blood pressure group. The risk of Pre/hypertension was significantly increased by 4.3 times for participants who had general obesity [BMI >/= 30] or abdominal obesity [identified from high WC]. Highly significant correlations were noticed between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and all anthropometric indicators except that for Hip circumference and systolic blood pressure. Step-wise linear regression model showed that when all obesity indicators were studied together, the waist circumference was the only indicator which showed significant relationship with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Waist circumference is the best anthropometric indicator that can predict hypertension risk among youth in the UAE
RESUMEN
To examine the relationships between infant feeding patterns with the risk of Acute Respiratory Infections [ARI] and to assess the importance of some factors that can increase such risk. A case-control study was carried out during the period between February 1[st] 2005 and May 1[st] 2005. The study included 137 infants who were hospitalized in the Children Welfare Teaching Hospital for ARIs, and 157 control subjects who were selected randomly from healthy infants attending 2 primary health care centers in Al-Karkh sector of Baghdad for immunization. The study showed that formula fed infants had 2.7 times higher risk [CI: 1.6-4.68] for ARIs compared to breast fed infants. Also, short duration of breastfeeding [<3 months] increased the risk by 1.4 times [CI: 0.89 - 2.23]. Additional factors found to have significant relationship with the risk of ARIs were male gender [OR=2.0, CI: 1.3-3.3], low educational level of mothers [OR= 6.4, CI: 3.2-12.7] and of fathers [OR =4.5, CI: 2.27- 8.78], crowded residence [OR=4.5, CI: 2.6-7.8], positive history of ARIs in household members in previous 2 weeks [OR=5.5, CI:3.3-9.3], family history of asthma [OR=2.6, CI:1.4-4.9], and daily smoking of >/= 7 cigarettes close to the infant [OR=2.0, CI: 1.1-3.4]. Age, birth order, delayed immunization and malnutrition, were found to be non significant risk factors for increasing infant's risk for ARIs. Multiple logistic regression showed that on adjusting for the effect of all studied variables, factors that significantly increase the risk of ARIs [in descending order for OR] were positive history of ARIs in household members during the previous 2 weeks, low educational level of mothers, infants age [4-6 months Vs <4 months], short duration of breastfeeding, living in crowded residence, and positive family history of asthma or allergy. Breastfeeding offers protection against ARIs