Prevalence and correlates of conduct disorder among inmates of juvenile detention centres, United Arab Emirates

The prevalence of conduct disorder was assessed in 77 young people in 4 juvenile detention centres in the United Arab Emirates [UAE]. The prevalence of conduct disorder was 24.7%, and recidivism, as indicated by repeat admissions to the centres, was found to be associated with conduct disorder. Having a diagnosis of conduct disorder was associated with a lower educational and occupational level of the father, as well as living with a single parent or relatives. Among UAE nationals, conduct disorder was also associated with having a mother who was a non-UAE national

Some risk factors for hypertension in the United Arab Emirates

A case-control study evaluated the relationship between hypertension and socioeconomic and lifestyle factors in Al-Ain city.The survey included 426 hypertensive adults aged 20-65 years attending urban and semi-urban clinics and a randomly selected sample of 436 normotensive controls. Hypertension among cases was higher for men, age 40-49 years, non-UAE nationals, urban living, currently married, having children, illiterate, administrative/professional job, living in traditional house and low income. There were significant differences between cases and controls with regard to obesity, raised cholesterol level, low physical activity and family history of heart disease, kidney disease or diabetes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that obesity, medium/high income, history of diabetes, low physical activity and having 3+ children were significantly associated with hypertension

Prevalence and correlates of childhood fears in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

The prevalence of fear was explored in 340 adolescents in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. More than 50% reported feeling extremely frightened of 6 out of 60 fear items surveyed. These items were: someone dying in the family [66.5%], parents getting divorced [65.3%], the devil [63.8%], breaking a religious law [61.5%], being kidnapped [53.2%] and being adopted [49.9%]. The level of fear showed a significant positive correlation with female gender, parental death/divorce, living with a single parent/relatives, living in low income families and an adverse home environment. Nearly half of the children reported that the fear caused considerable distress and interfered with daily activities

Childhood behavioural disturbance in a community sample in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates

The prevalence of behavioural and emotional problems was evaluated among 620 United Arab Emirates nationals aged 6-18 years using the Rutter Parent Questionnaire. Of these children, 11.8% scores above the cut-off point indicating behavioural disturbance. The prevalence of conduct problems was greater among boys, while emotional problems were more common among girls. Certain unspecified chronic life difficulties, parental distress in relation to their children, family history of psychiatric illness and alcohol or drug use in a family member were associated with behavioural disturbance, but no significant association was found with gender, socioeconomic status, family size or recent life events. Our findings suggest that behavioural disturbance exists among a substantial number of school-aged children in the community

Management of post traumatic stress disorder using the technique of debriefing

A comprehensive treatment programme for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] using the technique of "debriefing" is presented. "Debriefing" attempts to prevent the development of the initial response pattern of the individual to "symptoms" and then into a "disorder". The individual usually perceives their "experience" following the traumatic event as "abnormal reactions", and in debriefing, this is reframed as "normal reactions" to an abnormal event. The emphasis on the reactions as normal, prevents cognitive re-appraisal of oneself as abnormal when they experience the symptoms. The primary aim is to reduce the negative impact of the event and to speed up the recovery process