Potential causes of asthma in the United Arab Emirates: drawing insights from the Arabian Gulf

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dalibalta ◽  
Fatin Samara ◽  
Haya Qadri ◽  
Hibatallah Adouchana
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Environmental Causes ◽  
Considerable Concern

Abstract There is considerable concern on the rise in the incidence of asthma worldwide with statistics in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) indicating that at least 13% of schoolchildren, particularly of Emirati descent, suffer from asthma. With its high rates of hospital admissions, negative socioeconomic impact and significant morbidity, this is a disease that requires optimal guidelines for control and awareness. In this article, we review the current knowledge of asthma in the UAE and draw on studies, especially from the surrounding region, to identify its contributing factors within this population. The most frequently identified agents pertinent to the UAE include outdoor and indoor environmental causes exacerbated by the country’s rapid urbanization, genetic factors aided in transmission by consanguineous marriage, the patient’s socioeconomic status and a rise in vitamin D deficiencies. This evidence aims to inform healthcare professionals and governmental agencies in order to best create guidelines for controlling the burden of this debilitating disease.

scholarly journals Global careers in the Arabian Gulf

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yehuda Baruch ◽  
Ingo Forstenlechner
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cultural Fit ◽  
Muslim Countries ◽  
Career Opportunities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of expatriation, both firm-initiated and self-initiated. The authors identified factors influencing the motives of expatriates to locate to the Arabian Gulf, and possible factors that may influence their decision to remain. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative approach, the authors conducted 123 semi-structured interviews with expatriates in the United Arab Emirates, from various backgrounds. These interviews are analyzed based on the thematic analytic approach. Findings The authors identified four clusters of reasoning for global assignments to the Gulf and the outcomes of the expatriation. Remuneration was the main motivator cited for the move, but an obstacle for returning to the home country. For Westerners, the second most important factor was career opportunities, whereas for expatriates from Muslim countries it was cultural fit. Practical implications The findings may be a valuable source of reference for individuals and for policy makers, employers, HR practitioners, and career counselors to provide an understanding of expatriation in emerging economies. Originality/value The paper uses evidence from the Gulf to bridge the gap between current knowledge of expatriation and the context of emerging economies.

scholarly journals Coastal Runoff in the United Arab Emirates—The Hazard and Opportunity

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 5406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdouli ◽  
Hussein ◽  
Ghebreyesus ◽  
Sharif
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Flood Control ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Climate Extremes ◽  
Storm Event ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Coastal Regions ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Coastal Watersheds

Properly quantifying the potential exposure of hyper-arid regions to climate extremes is fundamental to developing frameworks that can be used to manage these extremes. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), rapid growth may exacerbate the impacts of climate extremes through urbanization (increased runoff), population and industrial development (more water demand). Water resources management approaches such as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) application may help mitigate both extremes by storing more water from wet periods for use during droughts. In this study, we quantified the volumes of runoff from coastal watersheds discharging to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf that could potentially be captured to replenish depleted aquifers along the coast and help reduce the adverse impacts of urban flooding. To this aim, we first downloaded and processed the Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (IMERG) rainfall data for a recent wide-spread storm event. The rainfall product was then used as input to hydrologic models of coastal watersheds for estimating the resulting runoff. A multi-criteria decision analysis technique was used to identify areas most prone to runoff accumulation. Lastly, we quantified the volumes of runoff that could potentially be captured from frequency storms of different return periods and how rapid urbanization in the region may increase these runoff volumes creating more opportunities for the replenishment of depleted aquifers. Our results indicate that the average runoff from watersheds discharging to the ocean ranges between 0.11 km3 and 0.48 km3 for the 5-year and 100-year storms, respectively. We also found that these amounts will substantially increase due to rapid urbanization in the coastal regions of the UAE. In addition to water supply augmentation during droughts, potential benefits of application of MAR techniques in the UAE coastal regions may include flood control, mitigation against sea-level rise through subsidence control, reduction of aquifer salinity, rehabilitation of ecosystems, cleansing polluted runoff and preventing excessive runoff into the Gulf that can contribute to red tide events.

scholarly journals Importation of Entamoeba histolytica and predominance of Klebsiella pneumoniae in liver abscesses: a 7-year retrospective cohort study from the United Arab Emirates

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussam Mousa ◽  
Ghada Salameh Mohammed Al-Bluwi ◽  
Zainab Fathi Mohammed Al Drini ◽  
Huda Imam Gasmelseed ◽  
Jamal Aldeen Alkoteesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Liver Abscess ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Pyogenic Liver Abscess ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Liver Abscesses ◽  
Potential Risk Factors

Abstract Background There is a dearth of information on liver abscesses in the United Arab Emirates. Herein, we describe the clinical features of liver abscesses and determine their incidence rates and clinical outcomes. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of adult patients with a primary diagnosis of liver abscess at a major hospital over a 7-year period. Results Amongst 45 patients, 82.2% (37/45) had a pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) and 17.8% (8/45) had amoebic liver abscesses (ALA). Overall, patients were young (median age 42 years, IQR 35–52), mostly males (77.8%, 35/45) from the Indian subcontinent (55.6%, 25/45), presented with fever (88.9%, 40/45) and abdominal pain (88.9%, 40/45), and had a solitary abscess on imaging (71.1% (32/45). Crude annual incidence rates were 35.9/100,000 hospital admissions (95% CI 26.2–48.0) and 5.9/100,000 inhabitants (95% CI 4.3–7.9). All ALA patients were from the Indian subcontinent (100%, 8/8). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequent pathogen in PLA (43.2% [16/37], 95% CI 27.1–60.5%). The hospital stay was shorter in ALA (7.5 days, IQR 7–8.5) than in PLA (14 days, IQR 9–17). No deaths were recorded within 30 days of hospitalisation. Conclusions ALA was exclusively seen in migrants from the Indian subcontinent, suggesting importation. Further research to characterise K. pneumoniae isolates and assess potential risk factors is needed.

scholarly journals How has technology been used to deliver cardiac rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic? An international cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals conducted by the BACPR

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e046051
Author(s):  
Alasdair F O'Doherty ◽  
Helen Humphreys ◽  
Susan Dawkes ◽  
Aynsley Cowie ◽  
Sally Hinton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Rehabilitation Service ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Risk Patients

ObjectiveTo investigate whether exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation services continued during the COVID-19 pandemic and how technology has been used to deliver home-based cardiac rehabilitation.DesignA mixed methods survey including questions about exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation service provision, programme diversity, patient complexity, technology use, barriers to using technology, and safety.SettingInternational survey of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes.ParticipantsHealthcare professionals working in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes worldwide.Main outcome measuresThe proportion of programmes that continued providing exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation and which technologies had been used to deliver home-based cardiac rehabilitation.ResultsThree hundred and thirty eligible responses were received; 89.7% were from the UK. Approximately half (49.3%) of respondents reported that cardiac rehabilitation programmes were suspended due to COVID-19. Of programmes that continued, 25.8% used technology before the COVID-19 pandemic. Programmes typically started using technology within 19 days of COVID-19 becoming a pandemic. 48.8% did not provide cardiac rehabilitation to high-risk patients, telephone was most commonly used to deliver cardiac rehabilitation, and some centres used sophisticated technology such as teleconferencing.ConclusionsThe rapid adoption of technology into standard practice is promising and may improve access to, and participation in, exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation beyond COVID-19. However, the exclusion of certain patient groups and programme suspension could worsen clinical symptoms and well-being, and increase hospital admissions. Refinement of current practices, with a focus on improving inclusivity and addressing safety concerns around exercise support to high-risk patients, may be needed.

scholarly journals Early Diagnosis of Lung Cancer in the United Arab Emirates: Challenges and Strategic Recommendations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 671-678
Author(s):  
Humaid O. Al-Shamsi ◽  
Hassan Jaffar ◽  
Bassam Mahboub ◽  
Faraz Khan ◽  
Usama Albastaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
National Level ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Cause Of Deaths ◽  
Delayed Referral

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), lung cancer (LC) was the third leading cause of deaths due to cancer in 2017. Around 80% of the patients in the UAE are diagnosed at a late stage, rendering the treatment less effective in improving survival outcomes. Lack of awareness of disease symptomatology, deficient screening initiatives, misdiagnosis, and delayed referral to the specialist are contributing factors for delayed diagnosis. Effective screening at a primary care setting can be crucial for early diagnosis, referral to specialists, and enhancing patient outcomes. It is important to establish screening and referral guidelines through which each suspected case can be identified and provided timely intervention. Although the international screening and referral pathway framework are comprehensive, several regional barriers need to be addressed before they can be adapted at the national level. A group of LC experts from the UAE deliberated on issues like delayed diagnosis of LC and strategic recommendations for overcoming the challenges. The discussion was based on the review of the published evidence, international and regional guidelines for screening and early diagnosis of LC. Herein, we present a guideline, endorsed by the esteemed panel of experts, for aiding early diagnosis and optimizing the management of LC in the UAE.

scholarly journals Student Athletic Therapists' Knowledge of Opioids and Other Pain-Relieving Medications

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-119
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Vandertuin ◽  
Dalya Abdulla ◽  
Stephanie Lowther
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Correct Information ◽  
News Organizations ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
Considerable Pressure

Context In their role as health care providers, student athletic therapists (SATs) are responsible for the prevention and management of injuries. To fully understand an injury, SATs require knowledge of contributing factors, including medications and their use and misuse. Opioid misuse by athletes to manage pain has been documented in the literature, highlighting the importance of SATs being able to recognize opioid use and misuse. Opioids are known to alleviate pain, to impair cognition, and to have addictive qualities which prevents appropriate assessment and management of injuries. Objective The objective of this study was to understand SATs' knowledge of pain-relieving medication, particularly opioids. Design Qualitative study. Setting Semistructured interview. Patients or Other Participants SATs at an accredited institution in Canada. Data Synthesis Data were collected through interviews and transcribed. Themes were developed using triangulation that reflected the data Results Four themes were uncovered: (1) SATs had experienced both personal and professional use of opioids, which formulated their current knowledge; (2) SATs lacked appropriate knowledge of pain-relieving medications in general and of the potential consequences of their lack of knowledge; (3) SATs' knowledge stemmed from culture, social media, and news organizations; (4) SATs felt considerable pressure to provide correct information due to their autonomous role with a team. Conclusions SATs lacked enough knowledge to be able to appropriately recognize and advise athletes on pain-relieving medications, particularly opioids. SATs formulated their knowledge and opinions from sources that were not rooted in research and as such may transfer incorrect information to their athletes. SATs stigmatized athletes who were using pain-relieving medication, which may factor into inappropriate decisions regarding an athlete's care. Finally, SATs carried a significant burden to share correct information with their athletes and did not refer to outside sources (eg, physicians) when they were unsure of the information they were sharing with their athletes.

The Tomb at Tell Abraq (ca. 2100–2000 BC)

2019 ◽  
pp. 182-200
Author(s):  
Debra L. Martin ◽  
Kathryn M. Baustian ◽  
Anna J. Osterholtz
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Long Bones ◽  
Retrieval Strategies ◽  
Commingled Remains ◽  
Tell Abraq ◽  
Hands And Feet

The tomb at Tell Abraq (c. 2200–2000 BC) was the repository for over 400 individuals of all ages and sexes. Situated on the Arabian Gulf near Sharjah and Um al-Quwain in the United Arab Emirates, the tomb contained the commingled remains of at least 276 adults and 127 subadults. Of the subadults, there was a relatively high frequency of premature (28%) and newborn (9%) infants in the tomb. This overview provides the demographic structure of the tomb population based on a detailed MNI study and the complex nature of the mortuary program. Based on the overall MNI determined by the talus bone, observed versus expected ratios show that many long bones and hands and feet bones are underrepresented. We propose that these can be accounted for by other excavation and retrieval strategies. The mortuary program appears to be what Boz and Hager have described as being “primary disturbed.” Grossly underrepresented elements, such as the cranium, could have been removed and used in other contexts. This late Bronze Age tomb is unusual in many ways and does not fit any Umm an Nar patterns.

Computer Vision Syndrome among Internet Users

2012 ◽  
pp. 782-798
Author(s):  
Liang Hu ◽  
Fan Lu
Keyword(s):  
Computer Vision ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Computer Users ◽  
Computer User ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Computer Vision Syndrome ◽  
Computer Environments

The chapter is intended to introduce Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), a widely spreading but largely unknown epidemic among professional and ordinary computer users, especially internet users. Dr. Sheedy and Dr. Anshel are two leading researchers in the ergonomics and optometry fields, and CVS has been extensively studied in these fields. The authors have summarized their views about CVS, including five major symptoms of CVS, three key contributing factors of CVS, and basic preventive and treatment strategies. Future researches are needed to continue the advancement of current knowledge regarding computer screens, computer task, and computer environments, and to expand research in diverse computer user populations, especially younger computer users.

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