Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on health and well-being in the United Arab Emirates.

Background: Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic are thought to have impacted both the physical health and well-being of individuals where lockdown was applied. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was one of the leading countries in implementing the international guidelines to limit the intensely contagious nature of the outbreak. Aim: To identify the impact of COVID-19 on changes to exercise and general physical activity habits, changes to the consumption of various foods and potential weight gain, as well as any differences in smoking habits among individuals residing in the UAE during the COVID-19 quarantine. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical study that used a quantitative electronic questionnaire sent by the Ministry of Health and Prevention to individuals on its platform in order to collect data on the physical health and well-being of a UAE sample population. A total of 2,362 responses were received to specific questions on physical activity, eating habits, and tobacco use for the period before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to display the sample's demographic data and the changes in physical health and well-being. Paired t-test was used to show the changes in dietary habits. Results: This study reveals concerning changes in health risk behaviors during the COVID-19 lockdown in the UAE. Physical activity levels declined across mild, moderate and vigorous ranges in most participants. Alarmingly, sedentary behavior dramatically increased with 71% of participants spending an average of 4-8 h per day sitting and over 54% of participants spending more than 4 h watching TV on an average day during lockdown. Fast-food consumption and snacking rose, hence weight gain was observed in over 53% of participants. Smoking habits, especially among cigarette smokers, may have worsened, with 45.2% reporting an increase in cigarette smoking, 16.8% declaring an increase in shisha smoking and 35.3% reporting an increase in smoking other tobacco products. These unfavorable behaviors during confinement could have serious long-term health consequences. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that long periods of home quarantine may have led to unhealthy consequences that increase the risk of developing disease. This study therefore aims to highlight these health impacts, and recommend strategies and policies that can encourage healthy habits.

QUALITY AND USE OF FREE SMOKING CESSATION APPS FOR SMARTPHONES.

OBJECTIVES: Smartphone Apps are one of the tools available to support patients who wish to quit smoking. Content analysis studies have indicated multiple deficiencies within these Apps including minimal use of evidence-based research and Nicotine Dependence Treatment Provider (NDTP) in App development. The aim of this study was to determine quality and features of smoking cessation Apps available on Android® and iOS® platforms. METHODS: The first fifty free smoking cessation Apps available for download using the search term smoking cessation on Google Play Store and Apple App Store were chosen. Each of these Apps was analyzed and categorized based on ratings, target audience age, language, and a variety of tracking functionalities noted on the Apps. Indications and suggestions regarding either the use of NDTP or evidence-based behavior change protocols were noted. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the features of smoking cessation Apps on Android and iOS. Only 15 percent of all Apps analyzed on both platforms indicated some involvement of NDTP and there was no difference between the two platforms. More than 50 percent of Apps studied were downloaded over half a million times and the average user rating was 3.89/5.00 for Android and 3.72/5.00 for iOS with no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Most smoking cessation Apps in both platforms offer basic tracking functionalities with limited motivational tips. Only a handful of Apps have moved beyond this role and while their development is applaudable much innovation remains.

Oral cancer prevention and early detection: knowledge and practice among Saudi Arabian healthcare practitioners.

PURPOSE: Despite the crucial role that healthcare practitioners (HCPs) have in preventing and detecting oral cancer (OC), studies suggest that dentists and physicians do not adequately detect early stage OC which is attributed to their attitude and knowledge. This Saudi Arabian study aims to assess HCP's knowledge and practice vis-à-vis OC's risk factors and patient evaluation. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A questionnaire was distributed to HCPs in six different Saudi Arabian settings. A total of 16 items representing a mixture of OC's risk and non-risk factors were measured. FINDINGS: The study found that only 20.9 percent of HCPs could distinguish 11 items or more correctly. Additionally, when HCPs obtained the patient's medical history, no more than 32.3 percent routinely assessed ten important OC issues. Almost 36 percent of HCPs thought that attending to too many patients prevented them from taking proper medical histories, and 37.6 percent admitted that more training in preventing and detecting OC is needed. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Since there is no effective automated system to reach Saudi Arabian practitioners, the number of practitioners involved in this study is limited. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The knowledge and practice of HCPs with relation to OC do not appear to be sufficient and HCPs should have better and more training in OC prevention and early detection. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: It appears that Saudi Arabian HCPs do not adequately participate in OC's prevention and early detection. It is suggested that continuous education strategies in Saudi Arabia should be reassessed and emphasis given to OC diagnosis.

Perceptions of healthcare practitioners in Saudi Arabia regarding their training in oral cancer prevention, and early detection.

PURPOSE: Healthcare practitioners (HCPs) have a major responsibility in the prevention and early detection of oral cancer (OC). Accordingly, adequate training in this area will positively enhance healthcare practitioners' accountability towards their patients. The present study was conducted in Saudi Arabia with the objective of assessing HCPs' opinion vis-a-vis OC prevention and early detection. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A cross-sectional survey was distributed among HCPs in six different settings in Saudi Arabia. FINDINGS: Totals of 41.2 per cent and 63.4 per cent of HCPs thought that they are adequately trained to perform an OC examination and to palpate the lymph nodes, respectively. Similarly, 33.2 per cent and 25.8 per cent thought that they are adequately trained to provide tobacco and alcohol cessation education for their patients, respectively. Of HCPs, 45.1 per cent thought they had a low level of knowledge and training in OC prevention and the early detection thereof, 53.6 per cent agreed that their knowledge about OC was not current, and 82 per cent were comfortable with referring suspicious lesions to specialists. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: It appears that the current knowledge and training in OC prevention and early detection among HCPs in Saudi Arabia is not up to the desired level. Accordingly, it is suggested that OC prevention and early detection should be given the necessary attention when establishing new continuous education strategies in Saudi Arabia.

The long term effects of early analysis of a trauma registry.

BACKGROUND: We established a trauma registry in 2003 to collect data on trauma patients, which is a major cause of death in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aim of this paper is to report on the long term effects of our early analysis of this registry. METHODS: Data in the early stages of this trauma registry were collected for 503 patients during a period of 6 months in 2003. Data was collected on a paper form and then entered into the trauma registry using a self-developed Access database. Descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: Most were males (87%), the mean age (SD) was 30.5 (14.9). UAE citizens formed 18.5%. Road traffic collisions caused an overwhelming 34.2% of injuries with 29.7% of those involving UAE citizens while work-related injuries were 26.2%. The early analysis of this registry had two major impacts. Firstly, the alarmingly high rate of UAE nationals in road traffic collisions standardized to the population led to major concerns and to the development of a specialized road traffic collision registry three years later. Second, the equally alarming high rate of work-related injuries led to collaboration with a Preventive Medicine team who helped with refining data elements of the trauma registry to include data important for research in trauma prevention. CONCLUSION: Analysis of a trauma registry as early as six months can lead to useful information which has long term effects on the progress of trauma research and prevention.