COVID-19 health awareness among the United Arab Emirates population

Abstract

In response to the global COVID-19 epidemic, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government is taking precautionary action to mitigate the spread of the virus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and practices toward COVID-19 among the general public in the UAE during the current outbreak. A cross-sectional online survey of 1356 respondents in the UAE was conducted during the epidemic outbreak between 9th to 24th June-2020. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: Socio-demographic, knowledge, practices. Independent-samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square and binary logistic regression was used. A p-value of (p < 0.05) was considered statistically significant. The total correct score of knowledge and practice questions was high 85% and 90%, respectively. Male’s sex, other marital status, and illiterate/primary educational levels had a lower level of knowledge and practices than others. Participants aged 18–29 had little higher knowledge than other ages but had a lower level in practices, people who live in Abu Dhabi had better knowledge and practices than other emirates, employed people had a lower level of knowledge but higher in practices. Binary logistic regression analysis presented that females, 18–29 years, and married participants significantly associated with a higher score of knowledge, while female, over 30 years old, the martial status of singles, college-level and higher, unemployed, were significantly associated with high mean practices score. This study provided a full screening of the knowledge and practices among a sample of residents in The UAE toward COVID-19, continuing to implement the health education programs pursued by the UAE is highly important to maintain the appropriate level of awareness among the public.

Covid-19 Confinement Changed Dietary Behaviour in Indonesia

“…Moreover, female was seemed to have higher knowledge and good practices toward COVID-19 than male. People with low education level seemed to have lower knowledge and good practices toward COVID-19 (Saeed, Elbarazi, Barakat, Adrees, & Fahady, 2021). Lower education level also seemed to reduce the importance of health in choosing food (Marsola, Cunha, de Carvalho-Ferreira, & da Cunha, 2020).…”

“…It could be affected by the characteristic of dominant respondent. Female and also people with higher education were tended to have good knowledge and practice toward COVID-19 (Saeed, Elbarazi, Barakat, Adrees, & Fahady, 2021). They also had higher health awareness in selecting food (Marsola, Cunha, de Carvalho-Ferreira, & da Cunha, 2020).…”

Evaluation of awareness and performance towards COVID-related disinfectant use: a comparative study between Jordan and United Arab Emirates

“…Additional studies focused on the awareness, attitude, and practices regarding COVID-19, diagnostic symptoms, side effects, sources of information, and general preventive measures (e.g. mask use, physical distancing, skin hygiene, and quarantine) among communities in Jordan and UAE [ 20 , 21 ]. Applying such a comparative study is highly recommended to assess the safe use of chemical-based personal disinfectants for the current and future pandemics in the Middle Eastern Arab countries.…”

A national survey of physiotherapists' assessment and management practices for patients with COVID-19 in acute and rehabilitation care in the United Arab Emirates

“…In a study based on 70 hospitals in the Netherlands, early physiotherapy interventions (mobilization and stimulation of activities) implemented on patients receiving intensive care have been found to minimize their chances of developing physical impairments [5]. While federal healthcare authorities and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have provided exhaustive guidelines for COVID19 infection control and medical management [6], specific protocols for physiotherapy interventions are still lacking. Given the significant impact of physiotherapy on the recovery of patients with COVID19, both in acute care settings and during rehabilitation, this survey was aimed at elucidating the practice patterns of physiotherapists in the UAE with a view towards developing evidencebased national physiotherapy guidelines for these patients.…”