non-Qatari Arab Research Articles

Muslim women's attitudes toward infant feeding in Qatar: An exploration using the Iowa infant feeding attitude scale

BackgroundMaternal attitude toward infant feeding is an important determinant of breastfeeding. The Islamic faith encourages breastfeeding, yet many Muslim women do not breastfeed as per the World Health Organization recommendations. In the Middle East, research has not addressed attitudes toward infant feeding among Muslim women. Assessing women's attitudes toward infant feeding choices is crucial to improve breastfeeding rates among Muslim women. AimThe aims of this study are to (a) examine postpartum Muslim women's attitudes toward infant feeding, (b) identify the determinants of these attitudes, and (c) determine whether attitudes can predict breastfeeding intention among Muslim women. A secondary aim is to examine the psychometric attributes of the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale among Muslim women. MethodA convenience sample of postpartum Muslim women (N = 414) were recruited between November 2019 and January 2020 in a large maternity facility in Qatar. A pre-developed questionnaire and the IIFAS were used to collect data. Both Arabic (n = 228) and English (n = 186) versions of the IIFAS were distributed postnatally to measure Muslim women's attitudes towards breastfeeding. A total attitude score was computed with higher scores indicating a more positive attitude toward breastfeeding. FindingsThe mean age of participants was 30.3 ± 5.2 years; 65.2% had a university degree and only 20.5% were employed. The mean attitude score was 61.8 ± 7.8. A significant association was found between the IIFAS attitude score and ethnicity, favouring Non-Qatari Arab women who had significantly higher attitude scores (p < .001). Women with full-time or part-time work had significantly higher scores than those not working (p = .008, p = .023). Older women had significantly lower attitude scores (adjusted slope = -0.230, p = .008). Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient of the Arabic and English versions of the IIFAS ranged from 0.69 to 0.80. ConclusionEthnicity, employment status, and age are determinants of infant feeding attitudes among Muslim women. In Qatar, Muslim women's attitudes related to breastfeeding trend toward positive; however, attitude is not a predictor of antenatal breastfeeding intention. Further research employing a larger sample with a focus on a culturally sensitive approach is recommended. The IIFAS has a moderate reliability level and needs to be culturally adapted to be used among a Muslim population.

Perceived Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening among Eligible Adults in Qatar and the Associated Factors: A Cross- Sectional Study

In Qatar, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer and is projected to be more than triple by 2035. Therefore, CRC periodic screening is vitally important because early detection will improve the success of treatment. In 2016, Qatar established a population-based screening program for CRC targetting average-risk adults. This study aimed to determine the perceived barriers to undergo CRC screening in eligible adults in Qatar and the associated factors. This was a cross-sectional study of individuals aged 50-74 years who have been never screened, across six primary health centers between September 2018 and January 2019. A non-probability sampling method was used to recruit participants. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and analytic statistics were applied. A total of 188 individuals participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 58.3 (SD ±6.4) years. Most participants were females (54.5%) and non-Qatari Arabs (54.3%). The top five reported barriers to CRC screening were: not at risk due to absence of symptoms (60.6%), not at risk due to absence of family history (55.1%), not at risk due to adopting a healthy lifestyle (52.7%), lack of time (41%), and lack of reminders by healthcare workers (39.4%). Bivariate analyses identified statistically significant associations between certain barriers and female gender, nationality, and educational level (primary school and below). The present study identified several barriers to undergoing CRC screening among eligible adults in Qatar. Such results provide a basis for tailoring of future educational campaigns that are relevant, specific, and appealing to such a cohort.<br />.

The prevalence, mortality rate and functional outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage according to age sex and ethnic group in the state of Qatar

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) using stroke database from the main tertiary hospital in Qatar (Hamad General Hospital) over the period of Dec 2013 to Oct 2017. MethodsThe prevalence of ICH was calculated based on age groups and ethnicity (Qatari nationals, non-Qatari Arab, South east Indian (SI) and Far East Asians (FE)). Thirty-day case fatality rate, poor clinical outcome at discharge (modified Rankin scale (mRS):3−6) and poor long-term outcome (mRS at 90 days: 3−6) were calculated per each age group sex and ethnicity. ResultThere were 653/4039 (16 %) with ICH. The median age was 53 (IQ range: 45–64) with a male/female ratio: 557/96 (85.3/14.7 %). The 30-day mortality rate was 14.7 % (96/653), poor outcome at discharge (mRS 3−6): 66.8 % (436/653) and poor long-term outcome (mRS 90 days:3−6) 50.1 % (199/397). The prevalence of ICH in Qatar was 24.9 per 100 000. The highest mortality rate was seen in the elderly (≥ 70 years old) (16/67 (23.9 %)) and young group (48/291 (16.5 %)).The most common ethnic group among our ICH population are the following: FE (40.59 per 100 000), Qatari (25.26 per 100 000) and SI ethnic group (24.97 per 100 000). In multiple logistic regression analysis only, old age (≥ 70 years old) was associated with 30 days mortality (adj OR: 2.51, 95 % CI: 1.14–5.54, P = 0.023). Similar regression analysis was also observed that age ≥ 70 years old (adj. OR: 4.18, 95 % CI: 1.27–13.77, P = 0.019), sex (male) (adj. OR: 0.21, 95 % CI: 0.08−0.56, P = 0.002), and ethnicity (SI vs Qatari: adj. OR: 4.08, 95 % CI: 1.28–12.92, P = 0.017); (FE vs Qatari: adj. OR: 2.22, 95 % CI: 0.65–7.67, P = 0.203) are statistically associated with poor outcome. ConclusionThe prevalence of ICH was high in the elderly and in the FE, Qatari, and SI ethnic group. Further studies are needed to better understand the differences in ICH prognosis in multiethnic groups.

The Reproductive Agency Scale (RAS-17): development and validation in a cross-sectional study of pregnant Qatari and non-Qatari Arab Women

BackgroundSustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 prioritizes women’s empowerment and gender equality, alone and as drivers of other SDGs. Efforts to validate universal measures of women’s empowerment have eclipsed efforts to develop refined measures in local contexts and lifecycle stages. Measures of women’s empowerment across the reproductive lifecycle remain limited, including in the Arab Middle East.MethodsIn this sequential, mixed-methods study, we developed and validated the Reproductive Agency Scale 17 (RAS-17) in 684 women having a normal pregnancy and receiving prenatal care at Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar. Participants varied in age (19–46 years), trimester, gravidity (M3.3[SD2.1], range 1–14), and parity (M2.1[SD1.5], range 0–7). Using qualitative research and questionnaire reviews, we developed 44 pregnancy-specific and non-pregnancy-specific agency items. We performed exploratory then confirmatory factor analyses (EFA/CFA) in random split-half samples and multiple-group CFA to assess measurement invariance of the scale across Qatari (n = 260) and non-Qatari Arab (n = 342) women.ResultsNon-Qatari women agreed more strongly than Qatari women that every woman should have university education, and working outside home benefitted women. Qatari women agreed more strongly than non-Qatari women that a woman should be free to sell her property. Qatari women reported more influence than non-Qatari women in decisions about spending their money (M4.6 versus M4.4), food they can eat (M4.4 versus M4.2), and rest during pregnancy (M4.5 versus M4.2). Qatari and non-Qatari women typically reported going most places with permission if accompanied. A 17-item, three-factor model measuring women’s intrinsic agency or awareness of economic rights (5 items) and instrumental agency in decision-making (5 items) and freedom of movement (7 items) had good fit and was partially invariant across groups.ConclusionsThe RAS-17 is a contextual, multidimensional measure of women’s reproductive agency validated in pregnant Qatari and non-Qatari Arab women. This scale integrates pregnancy-specific and non-pregnancy-specific items in dimensions of intrinsic agency and instrumental agency relevant to Arab women of reproductive age. The RAS-17 may be useful to screen for low reproductive agency as a predictor of maternal and perinatal outcomes. The RAS-17 should be validated in other samples to assess its full applicability across the reproductive life cycle.

Colorectal cancer awareness and its predictors among adults aged 50–74 years attending primary healthcare in the State of Qatar: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThe current study aimed to assess the awareness of colorectal cancer (CRC) symptoms and risk factors among the at-risk population visiting the primary healthcare (PHC) centres in Qatar. The secondary...

Preferred Gait Characteristics in Young Adults in Qatar: Physiological, Perceptual, and Spatiotemporal Analysis

Preferred walking speed (PWS) is considered a robust measure for assessing mobility and overall health. Healthy reference data are unavailable for Qatar. The aim of this study was to investigate PWS and underlying gait parameters around PWS among healthy young adults living in Qatar. PWS was assessed for 18 Qataris (9 females) and 16 non-Qatari Arabs residing in Qatar (9 females). Within- and between-gender group comparisons were carried out using Mann–Whitney U-tests. Metabolic cost of transport, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and spatiotemporal parameters were compared between Qatari and non-Qatari groups of similar gender at seven speed levels relative to PWS using two-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs). Similar comparisons were done at two absolute speeds using Mann–Whitney U-tests. While PWS did not differ significantly between the female groups, it was on average 19% slower for the Qatari males as compared to non-Qatari males. At similar relative speeds, differences appeared solely in physiological parameters between female groups. Only spatiotemporal differences were revealed between the male groups where longer stride and support phase durations and slower stride frequencies characterized the Qatari male group. It is suggested that differences in PWS could be due to potential cultural factors (e.g., cultural clothing) differentiating the Qatari and non-Qatari groups. PWS values reported in this study also appear systematically lower when compared to Western references found in the literature. Findings suggest that the assessment of normative gait values needs to take both cultural habits and geographic disparity into account.

Stigma associated with mental illness and its treatment in the Arab culture: A systematic review.

Mental health has not had the same public profile as physical health. This has contributed to the stigma associated with mental illness and to its treatments. Research investigating how the traditions and values amongst those with an Arab heritage contribute to stigmatizing beliefs, attitudes or actions in the provision of mental healthcare has not been widely reported. To systematically review the literature and summarize the findings of studies reporting stigmatizing beliefs, actions and attitudes toward treatment of people with mental illness in the Arab population. PubMed, Ovid, Psycharticles and Embase were used to identify original studies of non-institutionalized Arab adults or children reporting findings relevant to stigma toward mental illness. A manual search of the bibliography of all selected original studies was also undertaken. Independent data extraction was performed by two reviewers, who then met to compare data and reach consensus. Findings were classified as stigmatizing beliefs, actions or attitudes toward mental health treatments. A total of 33 articles were retrieved for full review. Those utilizing qualitative methodology provided insight into the many ways mental illness is viewed and defined among those with an Arab heritage. Among the studies using quantitative methodology, most compared stigmatizing beliefs, attitudes toward mental health treatments or stigmatizing actions among different Arab populations, some also investigated correlations between characteristics of the Arab population tested with stigmatizing beliefs, actions and attitudes toward mental health treatments. Findings from studies undertaken in Qatar reported greater stigmatizing beliefs, actions or attitudes toward mental health treatments among Qatari versus non-Qatari Arabs. A large diversity in the stigmatizing beliefs, actions and attitudes toward treatment of mental illness within the Arab population were identified. The influence of cultural variations on stigma should be explored further and used to tailor anti-stigma interventions in this population.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection: Molecular Epidemiology, Genotyping, Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors among Arab Women in Qatar.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections are known to cause cervical cancer worldwide, however, limited information is currently available on prevalence, types distribution and risk factors for HPV infection in the Arab countries. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study exclusively of women of Arabic origin residing in Qatar (n = 406) who were selected from the Women’s Hospital at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Health Centers of the Primary Health Care Corporation in Doha, Qatar over the period March 2013 to August 2014. Socio-demographic, behavioral and clinical data were collected. Four hundred and six cervical smears and 292 blood samples were included in the study. HPV typing was done using HPV type-specific primers-based real-time PCR, and Sanger sequencing. HPV-IgG and IgM were quantified using ELISA assays. The prevalence of HPV infection amongst Qatari and non-Qatari Arab women were 9.8% and 6.1%, respectively and 7.6% and 16.7% in women with normal and abnormal cytology, respectively. HPV 81 was the most commonly found genotype in women with normal cytology (34.5%), whereas HPV 81, 16 and 59 in women with abnormal cytology (25.0% each). All the HPV DNA positive women were seronegative and HPV-IgG prevalence was higher in Qatari women than in non-Qatari Arab women. None of the studied factors had any significant association with HPV-DNA positivity or HPV-IgG seropositivity. The overall identified HPV DNA prevalence and HPV seroprevalence among Arab women in Qatar were on the low side compared to global levels.

Attitudes toward science among grades 3 through 12 Arab students in Qatar: findings from a cross-sectional national study

ABSTRACTThis study assessed students’ attitudes toward science in Qatar. A cross-sectional, nationwide probability sample representing all students enrolled in grades 3 through 12 in the various types of schools in Qatar completed the ‘Arabic Speaking Students’ Attitudes toward Science Survey’ (ASSASS). The validity and reliability of the 32-item instrument, encompassing five sub-scales, have already been shown to be robust. The present analysis focused on responses from 1978 participants representing the students who completed the ASSASS in Arabic. Descriptive statistics were computed and a competing pair of multiple indicators multiple causes models is presented that attempt to link patterns in students’ responses to the ASSASS with a set of indicators. The final model retained student age, gender, nationality (i.e. Qatari vs. Non-Qatari Arab), and school type as indicators. Findings from this study suggest that participants’ attitudes toward science decrease with age, and that these attitudes and related preferences are influenced by students’ nationality and the type of school they attend. Equally important, the often-reported advantages for male over female precollege students in terms of attitudes toward science were much less prominent in the present study.

The hopeless age? A qualitative exploration of the experience of menopause in Arab women in Qatar

Objective The aim of this study was qualitatively to describe and examine the expectations and experiences of the midlife transition in Arab women living in Qatar.Method Six focus groups were conducted with Arab women living in Qatar: three groups of local Qatari women, and three groups of non-Qatari Arab women originating from neighboring countries. A purposive sample of 41 pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women aged 40–60 years participated. The semi-structured group format encouraged discussion around knowledge about menopause; physical, emotional and social experiences related to menopause; and cultural differences that may exist related to menopause.Results The majority of women considered menopause as a maturing experience, although the term ‘menopause’ was considered to have negative connotations. Postmenopausal women described menopausal symptoms consistent with general knowledge, but many premenopausal women were unaware of symptoms, even if they knew someone who had experienced menopause. Postmenopausal women were more socially active than before and were able to participate in religious activities that they previously could not attend during menses. How a woman experienced menopause depended on the husband’s level of support, and some women believed that Western women did not have the appropriate support from husbands and families that Arab women have; they felt this lack of support could lead to negative outcomes such as being at an increased risk for suicide caused by depression during menopause.Conclusion Qatari and non-Qatari women had many similarities in how they perceived and experienced menopause, although they collectively believed that the experiences of Western women are different.

The role of vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis in breast cancer

Epidemiological studies suggest an association between vitamin D and calcium intake and breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the association of breast cancer with vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis according to menopausal status and to examine vitamin D and bone mineral density (BMD) levels in breast cancer patients. This was an observational cohort hospital-based study. It included 635 patients with breast cancer. Socio-demographic information, type of consanguinity, menopause status, medical history, lifestyle habits, dietary intake, BMD measurements and vitamin D levels were collected. Descriptive and univariate analyses were performed. Of the studied patients, 36.1% were Qataris, 63.9% non-Qatari Arabs, 40% premenopausal women, 20.9% university graduates and 37.2% housewives. Overall, 31.8% of breast cancer women were affected with osteopenia/osteoporosis. Vitamin D deficiency (10.7% vs. 7.9%) and severe vitamin D insufficiency (39.2% vs. 32.5%) were higher in postmenopausal women than premenopausal women (P < 0.001). Low physical activity (< 30 min/day) was observed among vitamin D deficient (46.8%) and osteoporotic (45%) women. Dietary intake of vitamin D was significantly lower in vitamin D deficient women; these included dairy products (33.1%), milk (38.6%), seafood (39.6%), (P < 0.001) and for osteoporotic women, dairy products (46%), calcium (21.3%), milk (36.1%), yoghurt (37.6%), cheese (37.6%) and sea food (34.7%) (P < 0.001). The present study findings revealed a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis in breast cancer patients. Also, the dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium was significantly lower in breast cancer women.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of ante-partum hemorrhage among Arab women in an economically fast growing society

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of antepartum hemorrhage (APH) in the third trimester of Arab women residing in Qatar and their neonatal outcome. A prospective hospital-based study was conducted in the Women's Hospital and Maternity Clinics. The study was based on pregnant women in the third trimester from the first week of January 2010 to April 2011. A total of 2,056 pregnant women, who had any kind of maternal complications, were approached and 1,608 women (78.2%) expressed their consent to participate in the study. The questionnaire covered variables related to socio-demographic factors, family history, medical history, maternal complications and neonatal outcome. Multiple logistic regressions were used to describe the association between socio-demographic factors and APH. The overall prevalence of APH among Arab women residing in Qatar was 15.3% with 6.7% among Qatari's and 8.6% among non-Qatari Arab women; the difference in ethnicities was not significant. Among maternal socio-demographic characteristics, lower education (primary or below AOR 1.72; 95%CI 1.22-2.43, and intermediate education AOR 1.41; 95%CI 0.88-2.26; P=0.005) compared to university education was significantly associated with APH. As for maternal biological characteristics, family history of G6PD (AOR 1.87; 95% CI 1.18-2.95; P=0.007) and family history of Down's Syndrome (AOR 1.88; 95%CI 1.35-2.62; P=<0.001) were significantly associated with APH at the multivariable level; family history of hypertension (OR 1.78; 95%CI 1.30-2.44; P<0.001) was significant at the univariate level. Neonatal outcomes as a result of APH included increased risk of Apgar score at 1 minutes <7 (AOR 1.44; 95%CI 1.12-2.02; P=0.04) and minor congenital anomaly (AOR 2.82; 95%CI 1.39-5.71; P=0.004). Qatar has a high prevalence of APH. Poor education, family history of hypertension, G6PD and Down's syndrome were found to be significantly associated with increased risk of APH in Qatar. Neonates of APH are at significantly increased risk of adverse outcome. Thus it is essential that obstetricians are alerted to these risk factors for early detection and to decrease the negative effects of APH.

PW01-102 - Ethnic differences on the knowledge, attitude and beliefs towards mental illness in a traditional fast developing country

The aim of the study was to examine the ethnic differences in knowledge, attitude and practice towards mental illness in a sample of Qatari and non-Qatari Arabs. This is a cross sectional survey conducted in Primary Health Care centers, Qatar from October to June 2009. A representative sample of 3000 Qatari and non-Qatari Arabs above 20 years of age were approached and 2514 subjects (83.8%) gave consent to participate in this study. More than non-Qatari Arabs, a significant proportion of Qataris thought that mental illness can be a punishment from God (44.5% vs 50.6%; p=0.002) and that people with mental illness are mentally retarded (35.1% vs 45.1%; p<0.001). Qatari nationals had a poor knowledge about causes of mental illness compared to non-Qatari Arabs such as a belief that mental illness is due to possession of evil spirits (40.5% vs 37.6%) and psychiatric medication will cause addiction (61% vs 57.3%). The study revealed that there is an ethnic diversity within Arab societies in their knowledge, attitude and practice towards mental illness.

Acute and transient psychotic disorders in a rapidly developing country, State of Qatar

Little is known about acute and transient psychotic disorders, which is a diagnostic group, introduced with International Classification of Disease, 10th revision. It is an interesting area of research receiving a lot of attention. The aim of the study was to find the incidence of acute and transient psychotic disorders in the population and determine its sociodemographic features in the State of Qatar. Design. This is a retrospective descriptive study. Setting. The study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry of the Rumaillah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. All Qatari, non-Qatari Arabs, and expatriate patients who were hospitalized with psychotic disorders in the inpatient wards or treated in the outpatient clinics of the Department of Psychiatry over a 7-year period were enrolled in the study. Data were collected from the medical records of patients. The study was conducted from August 1, 1996, to January 1, 2004, amongst the patients with acute and transient psychotic disorders. The diagnostic classification of definite psychotic disorders was made in accordance with criteria based on the International Classification of Disease, 10th revision (ICD-10). A total of 174 patients were treated during a 7-year period. Among them, 69% were males and 31% females. No cases were found in children aged less than 15 years. The highest frequency (43.7%) was found in the early adulthood (16-29 years of age). The incidence of acute and transient psychotic disorders was higher in the expatriates (66.7%). More than half (63.8%) of the patients were employed. Most of the cases (35.6%) had acute schizophrenia-like psychotic disorders (F23.2). There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of acute and transient psychotic disorders between males and females, Qatari and non-Qatari Arabs, and single and married. The study found markedly lower incidence rate of acute and transient psychotic disorders in females than males. The highest frequency was found in the early adulthood (16-29 years). No cases were found in children aged less than 15 years. It is important to find ways to promote healthier lifestyles in this population in order to prevent the onset of psychotic disorders.