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Introduction: Seasonal influenza remains a challenge in the United Arab Emirates, and vaccination is an important preventive measure. However, fear of needles may be an obstacle in vaccination efforts. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine, in a non-clinical sample obtained from the UAE, how much of an impact fear of needles has on the decision to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. Methods: In the period September-December 2022, 372 participants were surveyed on their willingness to be vaccinated, their level of vaccine knowledge, and their level of fear of needles. Logistic regression models were used to assess the impact of fear of needles and vaccine knowledge on the decision to accept the seasonal influenza vaccine. Results: Fear of needles and vaccine knowledge are significant predictors in the decision to receive the vaccine. There were no gender or ethnic differences in fear of needles, but there were differences in the decision to receive the vaccines, with women and non-Arabs being more hesitant. Conclusion: Fear of needles may be an important variable to account for in public policies designed to improve vaccination rates in the UAE. For public health policy in the UAE, this implies that authorities must dedicate efforts to manage fear of needles in the general population. Efforts to address fear of vaccines in the general population must be made with proper training of nurses. Alternatively, authorities may need to seek oral alternatives for the administration of the seasonal influenza vaccine.
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Aims: Hand hygiene (HH) is an essential practice to evade the transmission of germs and minimize community-acquired infections. This study assesses the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of HH and other health and safety measures before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. in university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted between December 2022 and March 2023, targeting university students from all disciplines and study levels. A 44-item questionnaire was used which included student demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practice of HH, as well as the anticipated risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Participants consented before commencing the questionnaire, and the collected data were analysed using the student's t-test and ANOVA test, as required. Results: A total of 378 responses were received nationwide, with a valid response rate of 98%. The HH knowledge revealed an average score of 62%, which was significantly higher in students with moderate family income. Additionally, the average attitude score was 74.7%, as measured on the Likert scale, and the score lacked any correlation with the other variables. HH practice showed an average score of 86.8%, which was correlated with the students' gender and field of study. Conclusions: This study showed a moderate level of knowledge, a good attitude, and good practice around HH and other safety measures among the UAE's university students. Socioeconomic status, gender, and field of study influenced the study outcomes. This study highlights the need for effective awareness campaigns to reinforce students' health and safety, especially for male and non-health science students, in order to protect against communicable diseases.
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BACKGROUND: Smartphone addiction is a common phenomenon worldwide and within the UAE. It is related to many factors, including gender and ethnicity, and can lead to mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. This study investigates these factors concerning smartphone addiction among young adults in the UAE. METHODS: 421 participants answered a questionnaire of validated and reliable scales measuring smartphone addiction, cyberbullying experiences, mental health, and demographic information. The average age of the participants was 21 years, and the age groups were divided into two groups. Group 1 consists of participants who are 20 years or younger, and group 2 consists of participants aged 21 or older. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between smartphone addiction with both anxiety and depression. A positive correlation was also found between cyberbullying victims, anxiety, and depression. Females were found to have higher levels of anxiety and smartphone addiction in comparison to males. CONCLUSION: Smartphone addiction is a problem that connects to disorders like anxiety and depression. Conversely, cyberbullying is not directly related to smartphone addiction but is also strongly related to anxiety and depression.