Studying family function in two Arabic countries-Egypt and United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT

The family is an important determinant in health and illness. If the family is functiong properly, this may be reflected in a good health of family members. On the other hand family may be source of stress and illness to its members if it is dysfunctional. Considering such background, assessment of family function is of a great relevance for family physician while he/she is caring the patient and family. This study was conducted to provide a database regarding family function and factors that might affect in two Arabic countries [Egypt and United Arab Emirates]. This study has taken place in two Arabic countries [Egypt and United Arab Emirates]. The purpose of selecting these countries was as a research project based on the interest of two organizations where the researcher was working. It is a cross-sectional study. The subjects for this study were 1018 cusotmers attending in two Family Practice Centers [El Mahsma Family Practice Center [EFPC] which is affiliated to Faculty of Medicine-Suez Canal University [FOM-SCU]-Ismailia-Egypt] and Ras Al Khaimah Family Practice Center [RAK-FPC] belonging to RAK Medical District-UAE. The studied population were selected randomlly among the customers attending FPCs who aged >/= 14 years old. A pilot study was carried out to test the measurement tool. The measurement tool was the Family Function Questionnaire [APGAR] developed by Smilkstein. This tool was tested and validated in other studies. Statistical Package for Social Science [SPSS] was used for data entry and statistical analysis. Chi square and Fisher exact tests were used to test the significance. Also, multivariant logistic regression analysis was used to test association of family dysfunction with the studied variables. p value <0.05 was considered significant. The study showed that, the average score of the studied population was 6.96 +/- 2.3 [total score=10]. A higher score was reported among customers attending EFPC [7.2] comparable with [6.6] in RAK-FPC. About 38.8% of the customers have got family dysfunction [either moderate or severe]. Family dysfunction was reported more among customers attending RAK-FPC [45.8%] comparable with those in EFPC [35.4%]. After adjustment using stepwise logestic regression analysis, the following variables were linked to family dysfunction among the studied population Being older in the age [>/= 45 years]; completed secondary/university education; having inadequate monthly income and existence of health problems among the family members. The present study concluded that, family dysfunction is a considerable problem among customers attending family practice centers. It was significantly associated with some socio-demographic variables such as age, education, income and existence of reported health problems among family-members. The family Apgar questionnaire is a simple and useful instrument to screen out family dysfunction. Family physician is keeping a good doctor-patient relationship with practice population. Therefore, he/she is in a unique position to include such screening activity in daily practice aiming at providing comprehensive and high quality care