Assessing knowledge of, and attitudes to, HIV/AIDS among university students in the United Arab Emirates

© 2016 Haroun et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Background: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is among the top two regions in the world with the fastest growing HIV epidemic. In this context, risks and vulnerability are high as the epidemic is on the rise with evidence indicating significantly increasing HIV prevalence, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. Objective: The aim of the survey was to assess HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes related to HIV/ AIDS among a wide group of university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, a total sample of 2,294 students (406 male; 1,888 female) from four universities in three different Emirates in the UAE were approached to take part in the study. Students self-completed a questionnaire that was designed to measure their knowledge and attitudes to HIV/AIDS. Results: The overall average knowledge score of HIV.AIDS was 61%. Non-Emirati and postgraduates demonstrated higher levels of knowledge compared to Emirati and undergraduate students respectively. No significant differences between males and females; and marital status were found. Eighty-five percent of students expressed negative attitudes towards people living with HIV, with Emirati and single students significantly holding more negative attitudes compared to non-Emiratis and those that are married respectively. Conclusions: The findings provide strong evidence that there is a need to advocate for appropriate National HIV/AIDS awareness raising campaigns in universities to reduce the gaps in knowledge and decrease stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS

Pediatric falls from windows and balconies: incidents and risk factors as reported by newspapers in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract Background Falls of children from heights (balconies and windows) usually result in severe injuries and death. Details on child falls from heights in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are not easily accessible. Our aim was to assess the incidents, personal, and environmental risk factors for pediatric falls from windows/balconies using newspaper clippings. Methods We used a retrospective study design to electronically assess all major UAE national Arabic and English newspapers for reports of unintentional child falls from windows and balconies during 2005–2016. A structured data collection form was developed to collect information. Data were entered into an Excel sheet and descriptive analysis was performed. Results Newspaper clippings documented 96 fall incidents. After cleaning the data and excluding duplicate cases and intentional injuries, 81 cases were included into the final analysis. Fifty-three percent (n = 42) were boys. The mean (range) age was 4.9 years (1–15). Thirty-eight (47%) children fell from windows and 36 (44%) from balconies. Twenty-two (27%) children climbed on the furniture placed on a balcony or close to a window. Twenty-five (31%) children were not alone in the apartment when they fell. Twenty-nine children fell from less than 5 floors (37%), 33 from 5 to 10 floors (42%) and 16 from more than 10 floors (21%). Fifteen children (19%) were hospitalized and survived the fall incident, while 66 died (81%). Conclusions Newspapers proved to be useful to study pediatric falls from heights. It is necessary to improve window safety by installing window guards and raising awareness

Assessing Knowledge of, and Attitudes to, HIV/AIDS among University Students in the United Arab Emirates

AbstractBackgroundThe Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is among the top two regions in the worldwith the fastest growing HIV epidemic. In this context, risks and vulnerability are high as theepidemic is on the rise with evidence indicating significantly increasing HIV prevalence,new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.ObjectiveThe aim of the survey was to assess HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes related to HIV/AIDS among a wide group of university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).MethodsIn a cross-sectional survey, a total sample of 2,294 students (406 male; 1,888 female) fromfour universities in three different Emirates in the UAE were approached to take part in thestudy. Students self-completed a questionnaire that was designed to measure their knowledgeand attitudes to HIV/AIDS.ResultsThe overall average knowledge score of HIV.AIDS was 61%. Non-Emirati and postgraduatesdemonstrated higher levels of knowledge compared to Emirati and undergraduate studentsrespectively. No significant differences between males and females; and maritalstatus were found. Eighty-five percent of students expressed negative attitudes towardspeople living with HIV, with Emirati and single students significantly holding more negativeattitudes compared to non-Emiratis and those that are married respectively.ConclusionsThe findings provide strong evidence that there is a need to advocate for appropriateNational HIV/AIDS awareness raising campaigns in universities to reduce the gaps inknowledge and decrease stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS

Students’ Correct Responses to the Knowledge of Transmission and Treatment of HIV by Group.

<p>Students’ Correct Responses to the Knowledge of Transmission and Treatment of HIV by Group.</p

Characteristics of Study Population.

<p>Characteristics of Study Population.</p

HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Stigma Score by Group.

<p>HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Stigma Score by Group.</p