Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...
Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...
Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...
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Project No. 240 (2007)Knowledge <strong>and</strong> Attitude Towards Common Hereditary Hemolytic Anemia <strong>and</strong>HIV Infection Among High School Students Grade 12 in Al Ain City, UAEStudent Authors: Sumayya Saleh Ebrahim Al-Hamrooni, Salama Jamal Hussain BinRefea, Fatima Saleh Mohammed Al-Shehhi, Khulood Abdulla Salem Al-MazrooeiFaculty Supervisors: Dr. M. Grivna, Dr. P. Barss, Pr<strong>of</strong>. N. NagelkerkeAbstract:Objectives: Hereditary hemolytic anemia (HHA), consisting <strong>of</strong> G6PD deficiency,thalassemia <strong>and</strong> sickle cell anemia, has been considered as a major health problem inmany countries including the United Arab Emirates, nevertheless, the prevalence is notdecreasing due to lack <strong>of</strong> knowledge <strong>of</strong> these diseases among UAE population.Because <strong>of</strong> the high prevalence in UAE, effective strategies are needed to prevent itsspread to the future generation. The aim <strong>of</strong> this study is to measure the knowledge<strong>and</strong> the attitude <strong>of</strong> high school students, grade 12 toward the common HHA (G6PDdeficiency, thalassemia <strong>and</strong> sickle cell anemia) in the country, as a step towarddecreasing the prevalence <strong>of</strong> those diseases among the population. It also aims tocompare there view on premarital screening.Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in four government highschools (males <strong>and</strong> females) in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. Multistage stratifiedr<strong>and</strong>om sampling was used. Structural, self administered questionnaire was used as amain data collecting instruments. Data analysis was done using SPSS.Results: A total <strong>of</strong> 374 students were involved in the study. The students haveinsufficient knowledge about hereditary hemolytic anemia. However, they have agood attitude towards the genetic counseling <strong>and</strong> premarital screening <strong>of</strong> thosediseases. Regarding HIV, most <strong>of</strong> the students think that it is a more stigmatizingdisease <strong>and</strong> they showed a positive attitude towards its premarital screening.Conclusion: This study is one <strong>of</strong> the few studies that were conducted to assess theknowledge among high school students grade 12 about hereditary hemolytic anemiawhich is a common issue in the UAE. The results supported our hypothesis that themajority <strong>of</strong> the students have poor knowledge about hereditary hemolytic anemia.However, they have a positive attitude towards HHA <strong>and</strong> HIV premarital screening.
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