Tobacco use and associated factors among school students in Dubai, 2010: intervention study

Tobacco smoking is an emerging problem among adolescents in the United Arab Emirates [UAE]. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of current tobacco use and its associated factors among school students in Dubai Emirate and to determine the impact of an intervention programme on knowledge and attitudes towards tobacco use. A school-based intervention programme was carried out among 2457 students aged 10-20 years and data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire. Of the students, 14.6% were tobacco users, mostly cigarettes [11.2%] and waterpipes [2.2%]. The most common self-reported reasons for smoking were for the experience [29.4%], for stress relief [22.5%] and because their peers smoked [21.9%]. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the predictors of tobacco use were: male, higher age, UAE national, higher school level, government school, low knowledge about tobacco and family history of smoking. There were significant improvements in knowledge and attitudes scores after the health education intervention programme

Health status assessment among population in Al Khawneej region, Dubai: chronic conditions and some associated factors

Assessment of the population health status is required to determine priority population health needs, identify populations most at-risk and refine health service planning Aim of the study: to assess the health status of the population in Al kawaneej region [Dubai] in terms of some chronic conditions [diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hpercholestelemia and overweight and obesity] and to determine some associated factors. A cross sectional study was conducted in Al Khawneej region. Household survey was conducted to compromise all available adult individual aged 18 years or more at the time of the survey. The total number O participants reached 210. The participants were subjected to the following tools: interview questionnaire, measurement of weight and height, blood pressure, laboratory investigations which include the fasting blood sugar, blood cholesterol level, and triglyceride level and low density lipoprotein. The ordering of the studied health problems as follow, the overweight and obesity came first in the health problems of the people of this region, it was 71.4%[44.3% and 27.1%], 60.5% had a high level of Low density lipoprotein, high blood cholesterol level was detected in 40.5% of the participants, it was found that 25.7% suffered from hypertension, while the diabetes mellitus was accounted for 13.3%. Stepwise logistic regression revealed that age 40 years or more was the predictor for diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, furthermore obesity was also the predictor for hypercholesterolemia, while the low 'educational level was associated with overweight and obesity. The survey pointed out that the problem of the overweight and obesity came first in the health problems of the people of this region, followed by a high level of Low density lipoprotein, high blood cholesterol level, hypertension, and then diabetes mellitus. We are in crucial need for an intervention program to reduce these risk factors and to enhance healthy life style which including dietary pattern and physical activity

Probability of contraceptive continuation and its determinants

Probability of contraceptive continuation and factors associated with discontinuation were assessed in a retrospective study of women's records in Alexandria. Contraceptive continuation rates were 88/100, 75/100 and 56/100 women at 6, 12 and 24 months respectively. Reasons for discontinuation included side-effects and health concerns [30.4%], accidental pregnancy and personal reasons [6.4%] and desire for pregnancy [5.4%]. Women who were older and who had several children were most likely to continue contraceptive use. Three significant predictors of discontinuation were side-effects and health concerns, age of the woman and contraceptive method. Women should be fully informed of the contraceptive methods available and their side-effects, and counselling programmes should be offered, particularly during the first 2 years of use

Ovarian cancer in Alexandria from 1988 to 1997: trends and survival

The trend of incidence of ovarian cancer was studied, the 5-year survival rate calculated and prognostic factors for survival determined. Data were collected from the Alexandria Cancer Registry and medical records in various hospitals. A total of 358 cases of ovarian cancer were diagnosed from 1988 to 1997. A significant increasing trend in incidence of ovarian cancer from 1.23/100 000 in 1988 to 3.16/100 000 in 1997 was found. The overall 5-year survival rate was 46%. The 5-year survival rates for tumour stages I to IV were 85%, 71%, 41% and 22% respectively, which was statistically significant. Survival rates with poorly differentiated tumours were significantly worse than with moderate or well differentiated tumours

Self-efficacy for dietary behaviour concerning heart disease among Alexandria school pupils

A study of 1134 preparatory-school pupils was conducted to measure children's self-efficacy for selecting healthy food for the heart, to examine the relationship between self-efficacy and self-reported usual food consumption and to estimate test-retest reliability. Results revealed an acceptable estimate of internal consistency of dietary self-efficacy [Cronbach alpha = 0.76]. Over half the students exhibited a moderate level of self-efficacy and 42% a high level. Test-retest reliability of the scale was good [r = 0.65, Cronbach alpha = 0.79]. Usual food choice was the first best predictor of dietary self-efficacy [r = 0.44], followed by sex [boys had higher self-efficacy than girls] and then knowledge [r = 0.37].The three factors contributed to explain 25% of the variance

Assessment of nutritional knowledge and practices of physicians and nurses working in MCH clinies at different primary health care facililties in Alexandria

A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the nutritional knowledge and practices of physicians and nurses working in MCH clinics in different PHC facilities in Alexandria. Six MCH clinics were selected randomly, one clinic from each district. A total sample of 188 [137 physicians and 51 nurses] were included in the study. A special designed questionnaire was constructed and included data about nutritional knowledge in general, nutritional knowledge during pregnancy, lactation and breast feeding practices. The results indicated that there was a significant relation between degree of qualification and level of knowledge. Physicians showed higher nutritional knowledge than nurses. Only 11.7% of the studied sample achieved a very good level [>/= 75%]. About 83% of interviewed physicians and nurses reported incorrect answer as regards the cut-off level of haemoglobin in pregnant women. Inspite of the fact that recommendations towards successful breast feeding is distributed in maternity services, about 20% of the sample reported that they advise a lactating woman to feed her baby on schedule and not to feed him / her during night hours. Exclusive breast feeding is recommended during first four months of delivery, however over 70% of interviewed sample reported that they advise a lactating woman to give her baby fluids in form of water, juices and herbs besides breast milk in the first four months after delivery. Based on the results of the present work, it is a necessity to carry on an extensive nutritional education training programme for physicians and nurses working in MCH clinics