Assessing the Knowledge of Environmental Risk Factors for Cancer among the UAE Population
A Pilot Study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15512901 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Samrein B M Ahmed (0000-0001-9773-645X, University of Sharjah, corresponding author), Sara Amer (0000-0002-7381-5361, University of Sharjah), Amal Hussein (0000-0002-0708-8119, University of Sharjah), Drishti D Kampani (0000-0002-7802-5764, University of Sharjah), Nour Al Hasham (University of Sharjah), Mohamad Assker (0009-0000-9929-7059, University of Sharjah), Nour Shawa (University of Sharjah), Dima Saleh (0009-0004-5259-3298, University of Sharjah), Khalid O Alfarouk (0000-0001-8656-6117, Alfarouk Biomedical Research LLC, Temple Terrace, FL 33617, USA) |
| Year | 2020 |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 9 |
| Pages | 2984-2984 |
| Publication date | 2020-04-25 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph17092984 |
| PMID | 32344867 |
| OpenAlex | W3020274439 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 33 |
The incidence of cancer is increasing worldwide as well as in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Currently, researchers are advocating not only for prevention programs but also for early detection. In this study, we aimed to assess the general awareness of cancer among the UAE population, with a focus on environmental risk factors. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 385 participants. A total of 91.2% of the study population identified cancer as the leading cause of death, while 64.6% of the subjects were able to identify the key causes of cancer. A total of 87.3% and 70.5% of the participants were able to define tobacco and alcohol, respectively, as cancer-causing agents. Most of the study population failed to identify cancer-related infectious agents and incense smoke as carcinogens. Respondents in the medical professions had the highest knowledge score when compared with respondents with a non-medical profession and unemployed participants ( p < 0.0005). To fill the gaps in cancer-related knowledge, participants were asked about their preferred method for cancer education, and 83.9% of the participants favored the media as a source of information. Conclusively, our findings indicated a gap in cancer knowledge among UAE residents, which highlights the importance of educational campaigns by health authorities; a follow-up study evaluating the success of educational campaigns is also warranted
Cancer · Cancer prevention · Environmental health · Family medicine · Incidence (geometry · Population · Global Cancer Incidence and Screening · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Medicine
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Breast cancer presentation delays among Arab and national women in the UAE
Tobacco Health Risk Awareness among Socially Disadvantaged People—A Crucial Tool for Smoking Cessation
Awareness of alcohol as a risk factor for cancer is associated with public support for alcohol policies
Public awareness of risk factors for cancer among the Japanese general population
Screening for prevention and early diagnosis of cancer
Alcohol in the Islamic Middle East
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,5 |
| Citation span | 2022 - 2026 (5) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |