Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...

Project No. 224 (2006)Consumption of Fish among Emirati Women of Childbearing Age in Al Ain withSpecial Reference to the Consumption of Canned Tuna with Potential HighMercury ContentStudent Authors: Asma Ahmed Rashed Al-Nuaimi, Hussa Sultan Yousef Al-Zaabi,Reem Matar Hamad Al-Mehairi, Zainab Ibrahim Abdulla QassimiFaculty Supervisors: Dr. J. Schneider, Dr. J. Al Mutawa, Prof. N. NagelkerkeAbstract:Objectives: With the perception of high consumption of fish among the population ofUAE, to study the consumption of fish by Emirati women of childbearing age in Al AinCity with reference to its mercury content.Methods: The study design is a cross- sectional descriptive survey of 125 Emiratiwomen attending Preventive Medicine and Primary Health Care centers in Al-Ain.Interview-administered questionnaires were used, data entered by Access andanalyzed in SPSS.Results: Response rate was 100%. Regarding fresh fish, 98% consume fresh fish and2% don’t. The results showed an intake of Shark for more than twice a week, whichexceeds the FDA recommendation, was (10%) and for Albacore (19%). On the otherhand, Swordfish was eaten less than twice a week (10%). About canned fish, (78%)were eating canned fish and (22%) were not eating. Unexpectedly the type of tunaconsumed (White and Light) was equally the same (34%). And (24%) were havingboth types. The degree of knowledge of participants about heavy metal exposure(Mercury) was low. Its relation with the education level was significant with a P valueof (0.03).Conclusion: The study revealed a high level of consumption of fish by Emirati womenin Al-Ain without recognizing its potential harm. Nevertheless they are totally awareabout the benefits that they can get from eating fish. The public health should play abig role in providing information for these women regarding the proper intake of fishand its relevant mercury level.