Search Results (25)

In today’s digital world where presence is often equated with personal visibility, the choice of Emirati women to remain faceless on social media presents a powerful counter narrative—one that reveals the complexities of identity, modesty and belonging in a hyperconnected multicultural society. This study takes a closer look at how these women manage their online identities by intentionally choosing not to show their faces on Instagram. Using digital ethnography and thematic analysis, this article explores how they navigate the balance between global expectations of self-expression and the traditional values of modesty and honor. Over a three-month period, the study observes their activity on Instagram, analyzing shared images to see how facelessness becomes a form of agency. The findings highlight the tension between Western-centric paradigms of identity and selfhood, proposing digital veiling as a transferable framework for understanding how modesty, discretion and agency are negotiated across digital cultures. This article contributes to the broader conversation on digital identity, gendered representation and intercultural negotiation by foregrounding the silent yet strategic practices of women who remain unseen but not unheard. Full article

Divorce represents a significant life transition with implications for emotional well-being, social integration, and economic security. This study examines the post-divorce experiences of women in Abu Dhabi, focusing on four challenges: financial insecurity, emotional distress, co-parenting difficulties, and struggles in forming new relationships. Drawing on data from the 5th Cycle of the Abu Dhabi Quality of Life Survey (n = 4347), the study explores how these challenges affect indicators such as life satisfaction, mental health, social trust, and financial stability. The findings show financial insecurity is the most prevalent and detrimental issue, particularly among older and less-educated women. Co-parenting stress peaks among women aged 35–49, while non-Emirati women report heightened financial vulnerability. Emotional distress is associated with poor sleep, reduced trust, and digital coping behaviors. Older women face greater social reintegration challenges. Religious practice emerges as a frequent coping mechanism, especially among those experiencing stigma and isolation. Guided by the Stress Process Model, the study highlights the interplay of social and psychological stressors and offers practical insights for psychiatric and mental health practitioners supporting women through family disruption. Full article

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women globally and remains a prevalent malignancy among Emirati women. This study assessed the quality of life of Emirati women with cervical cancer and identified key factors influencing their well-being to inform targeted interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 72 Emirati women diagnosed with cervical cancer utilizing the Arabic-translated European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CX24). Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, independent-sample t-tests, and, where assumptions were violated, Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests. Results: The mean global health status/QoL score was 64.4 (SD ± 20.4), indicating moderate well-being. The cognitive (69.9 ± 23.5) and role functioning (65.1 ± 25.0) scores were relatively high, whereas the social functioning score was lower (61.8 ± 25.2). Fatigue (41.5 ± 27.5), sleep disturbance (40.7 ± 31.3), and pain (39.4 ± 27.6) were the most prevalent symptoms. Radiotherapy negatively impacted sexual enjoyment (p = 0.019), whereas lower income and metastases were associated with worse symptom burden. Higher education, employment, and physical activity correlated positively with functional well-being. Conclusions: Early-stage diagnosis, financial stability, and physical activity were key predictors of better QoL. Addressing financial disparities, managing symptoms, and improving survivorship care are essential. Full article

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the pharyngeal airway dimensions of individuals with different skeletal patterns in a cohort of the Emirati population. The specific aim was to assess the relationship between pharyngeal airway dimensions and anterior facial height in relation to different skeletal patterns. This retrospective study was conducted on a sample of 103 CBCT scans of adult Emirati subjects categorized into three groups according to their skeletal classification as indicated by the ANB angle: Class I (n = 35), Class II (n = 46), and Class III (n = 22). All CBCT scans were taken using an i-CAT CBCT imaging machine (Imaging Sciences, Hatfield, PA, USA). The age range of the patients was 19 to 68 years (62 women and 41 men). ANOVA, t-tests, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney tests were employed for comparing means among groups. The correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the association between variables. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. This study revealed significant associations between various airway parameters and cephalometric measurements. Positive correlations were observed between nasal cavity volume and nasopharynx volume, as well as anterior facial height. Oropharynx volume exhibited positive correlations with hypopharynx volume and total airway volume, and negative correlations with overjet, ANB angle, and patient age. Hypopharynx volume correlated positively with total airway volume and the most constricted area of the airway (MCA). Total airway volume showed positive correlations with MCA and anterior facial height. MCA had negative correlations with ANB angle and patient age. Nasopharynx volume was significantly larger in the skeletal Class I group than in the Class II or Class III groups, while the other airway parameters showed no significant differences among the groups (p > 0.05). Several airway parameters showed a correlation with anterior facial height among the different skeletal patterns. Nasopharyngeal airway volume was significantly larger in the skeletal Class I group than in Class II and III groups in the studied sample. Full article

The imperative for an ongoing review and comprehension of the challenges and methodologies for enhancing diversity and inclusion of women in senior leadership within higher education is well-documented. This study aims to illuminate the perspectives of Emirati women regarding their leadership trajectories, evaluating the effectiveness of current policies, the obstacles encountered, and strategies to advance women’s leadership in higher education. Utilizing a concurrent mixed-methods approach, we collected and analyzed both quantitative and qualitative data from 103 female Emirati leaders in higher education institutions across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The findings reveal a prevailing sentiment among participants that policies intended to promote Emirati women’s inclusion in senior leadership roles are mostly ineffective. Key challenges identified include barriers to career progression, disparities in institutional support, and pervasive gender biases. However, participants also offered insights into potential strategies to enhance the inclusion of Emirati women in leadership positions, including leadership training programs, robust policy development, and initiatives to improve work–life balance, networking opportunities, and reward systems. Full article

Introduction: PCOS, a common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age, affects fertility and increases the risks of other diseases. Early detection, risk factor assessment, and intervention are crucial to prevent long-term complications. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using a pre-validated questionnaire at two medical colleges in the UAE and Oman. The first study (UAE) results are already published. Here, we present the findings of the second study (Oman) and compare them. Results and Discussion: The prevalence of PCOS was 4.6% (n = 7) in Oman and 27.6% (n = 69) in the UAE using the NIH criteria. The most common symptoms were irregular periods, acne, and thinning of hair. Students showed acne as the most prevalent symptom of clinical hyperandrogenism. Omani students showed significantly more acne [70.1% (n = 108) vs. 41.6% (n = 104)], while Emirati students showed a higher prevalence of hirsutism [32% (n = 80) vs. 23.3% (n = 36)]. A higher number of students had irregular periods 30.8% (77/150) in the UAE, although the difference was not statistically significant. The prevalence of PCOS was significantly higher in Emirati medical students than in Omani students (p < 0.05). The prevalence was also lower among medical students in Oman compared to an unselected population, reported by a study that included all consecutive women between 12 and 45 years of age attending a hospital. An increased trend in unhealthy lifestyle practices was observed in the recent study. Obesity was a strong predictor of PCOS symptoms across the populations in both countries (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of PCOS and clinical signs of hyperandrogenism vary significantly between countries in the MENA region. There is a need to identify specific risk factors associated with PCOS in different populations, explore the genetic basis, and undertake collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals from various disciplines to raise awareness about PCOS and its associated risks. Full article

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a higher susceptibility to infections compared to those without PCOS. Studies evaluating antibiotic use based on PCOS status are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to (i) assess the associations between self-reported PCOS and antibiotic use, and (ii) whether PCOS treatment and the age at PCOS diagnosis modified the associations above. This cross-sectional analysis used the United Arab Emirates Healthy Future Study (UAEHFS) conducted from February 2016 to March 2023 involving 2063 Emirati women aged 18–62 years. We performed ordinal logistic regressions under unadjusted and demographic-health-characteristic-adjusted models to obtain the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to analyze PCOS and antibiotic use. Subgroup analyses were performed by treatment status and age at diagnosis. We found that women with PCOS were 55% more likely to frequently take a course of antibiotics in the past year (aOR 1.55; 95% CI 1.26–1.90). Similar likelihoods were also found among those being treated for PCOS and those without treatment but with a PCOS diagnosis at ≤25 years. Our study suggests that PCOS was associated with an increased use of antibiotics among Emirati women. Understanding the frequent antibiotic use susceptibility among those with PCOS may improve antibiotic use surveillance and promote antibiotic stewardship in these at-risk individuals. Full article

This narrative review explores the barriers and facilitators that migrant women face globally. The review explored a range of studies conducted in various countries, including the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It also specialises in the experiences of migrant women living in Sydney, Australia, and women living in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE. Cervical cancer ranks as the fourth most prevalent form of cancer among women worldwide. It is the fourteenth most common cancer among women in Australia and the fourth most common cancer in the UAE. Despite the availability of vaccinations and cervical screening initiatives in many countries, including the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, and the UAE, migrant women living in these countries continue to experience considerable health gaps when accessing cervical cancer screening services. Addressing these disparities is crucial to ensuring everyone has equal healthcare access. An electronic search was conducted using three databases to identify articles published between 2011 and 2021. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research studies were included in the search. The identified factors were classified into categories of barriers and facilitators of cervical screening uptake, which were then sub-categorized. This narrative review examines the awareness of cervical cancer and screening behaviours, attitudes, barriers, and facilitators associated with cervical cancer screening. According to the study, several factors pose significant obstacles for migrant women worldwide, particularly those living in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Sydney, Australia, and Emirati and non-Emirati women (migrant women) residing in RAK when it comes to undergoing cervical cancer screening. These barriers include inadequate knowledge and emotional, cultural, religious, psychological, and organisational factors. On the other hand, social support, awareness campaigns, and the availability of screening services were found to promote the uptake of cervical cancer screening. The findings from this review suggest that healthcare providers should adopt culturally sensitive approaches to enhance awareness and encourage participation in screening programs among migrant women. Based on the findings of this narrative review, it is strongly suggested that healthcare providers and policymakers prioritise developing culturally sensitive screening initiatives for migrant women. It is essential to address the psychological and emotional barriers that prevent migrant women from accessing screening services. This can be accomplished by offering education and awareness campaigns in their native languages and implementing a community-based approach to encourage social support and increase awareness of cervical cancer and screening services. Furthermore, healthcare providers and organisations should provide educational tools that address common misconceptions based on cultural and religious factors that prevent women from accessing screening services. Full article

The benefits of being physically active during pregnancy are widely acknowledged. It is important for the prevention of chronic diseases and the promotion of good health for mothers and children. However, physical activity by women in the UAE is notoriously low and reduced further during pregnancy. The same can be said regarding research about the knowledge and understanding of the benefits and risks associated with exercise as a predictor of behavior. We aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes towards physical activity during pregnancy amongst Emirati women. A cross-sectional digital survey was designed to assess knowledge and attitudes and distributed to women, aged 18–40 years, using non-randomized, purposeful snowball sampling. A total of 1538 women were recruited. Most participants were aged 20–29 years (53.5%), were Emiratis (88.9%), and had no history of chronic disease (68.6%). The participants self-reported very low levels of PA (75.5%) and had a below-average level of knowledge overall (40.6 ± 20). Younger ages (p < 0.001), lower educational levels (p = 0.004), being employed (p = 0.014), and having a history of chronic disease (p = 0.016) were significantly associated with lower mean knowledge scores, while being married (p = 0.003) was significantly associated with higher scores. The participants also exhibited a positive attitude towards physical activity during pregnancy by selecting answers that they supported it. To encourage physical activity, women living in the UAE could benefit from clear advice about safe physical activity during pregnancy. Full article

While past studies have considered the relationship between art and architecture, art and society, or society and architecture, few consider all three, let alone when discussing these subjects in the United Arab Emirates. This article presents the evolution of the art scene in that country’s three largest emirates, from its foundation as a federation through today, as a reflection of local societal truths. Since its early days, each concerned emirate—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, has developed an art scene unique from the others, and each one has been housed in different kinds of mostly vernacular—though sometimes academic—architecture. Through data collection of the various types of architecture employed in each emirate, this article explores possible reasons why each state has its own art scene, and what can explain this phenomenon. Abu Dhabi, the wealthy capital, has “starchitect” designed institutions; the more avant-garde Dubai employs recycled industrial hangars (or structures made to look as such); while the more traditional Sharjah repurposes historical structures for artistic use. Over time, each emirate begins to borrow different architectural tendencies hitherto mostly seen in the other states, demonstrative of the constant competition the three emirates have with each other. Beyond the local implications, these structures provide a rich discussion on what is considered vernacular in a modern context, as well as where the definition of one stops and the other begins. Full article

The prevalence of obesity and overweight has been rapidly increasing and is significantly higher among adult females in the Arab States. The aim of the present study was to explore pregnant Emirati women’s perception of their weight, their knowledge of the healthy gestational weight gain, and the possible weight-related pregnancy complications. A total of 526 self-administered questionnaires were obtained with a response rate of 72%. The majority (81.8%, n = 429) entered pregnancy as overweight or obese. The percentage of pregnant women who underestimated their weight category was 12.1% in normal weight participants, 48.9% in overweight participants, and 73.5% in obese participants (p < 0.001). The overweight and obese participants were 13 times more likely to underestimate their weight status and 3.6 times more likely to correctly select their healthy gestational weight gain. Women’s awareness of pregnancy-related complications due to weight varied from 80.3% for diabetes to 44.5% for fetal complications; their awareness of breastfeeding difficulty was the lowest at 2.5%. Moreover, there was a misconception about personal BMI and the appropriate range for gestational weight gain (GWG). Healthy lifestyle counselling urgently needs to be addressed in preventative health programs such as pre-marital and preconception counselling. Full article

Background: The growing prevalence of obesity and related type 2 diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions in the UAE. Physical inactivity is one of the possible factors linking obesity to diabetes and other related complications. However, the molecular mechanisms through which physical inactivity is contributing to increased obesity-related pathologies are not clear. Aims: to measure the effects of increased physical activity on obesity and related metabolic risk factors. Materials and Methods: We investigated the effects of physical activity on body weight, waist circumference (WC) and metabolic risk factors in 965 community free-living Emirati subjects. Physical activity, dietary intake, antioxidant enzymes and markers of oxidative damage and inflammation were measured both at baseline and follow up. A validated questionnaire was used to assess occupation and leisure-related physical activity. We compared metabolic risk factors between subjects stratified by physical activity levels. The Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to determine the independent effects of increased physical activity on presence and absence of obesity, body weight and waist circumference (WC) change at follow up. Results: A total of 965 community free-living subjects [801 (83%) females, mean (SD) age 39 ± 12 years] were recruited and followed up with for a period of 427 ± 223 days. Using WHO cut-of-points for body mass index (BMI), 284 (30%) subjects were overweight and 584 (62%) subjects were obese, compared to 69 (8%) at normal body weight. We found men to be more physically active than women at both leisure and work times. BMI, hip circumference, total body fat, HDL and inflammatory markers (us CRP, TNF) were significantly higher in female subjects, whilst fat free-mass, WC, blood pressure and HbA1c were higher in male subjects (p < 0.05). Hypertension and diabetes were more common in male subjects compared to female subjects (p < 0.05). Increased physical activity both at baseline and follow up were associated with decreased BMI, WC and inflammatory markers, including us-CRP and TNF. Increased physical activity was associated with significant decrease in abdominal obesity in female subjects and general obesity in both male and females after adjusting for important prognostic indicators [hazard ratio (95% CI): 0.531 (0.399, 0.707); p < 0.001; 0.475 (0.341, 0.662); p < 0.001 respectively]. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that increased physical activity may decrease the risk of obesity and also mitigate the associated oxidative damage and inflammatory responses. Full article

To examine the quality of life (QoL) of Emirati women with breast cancer (BC) and determine its relationships with their sociodemographic characteristics and clinical factors. The study will play a leading role in providing information about the QoL of Emirati women with BC and will help in recognizing the aspects of QoL in BC survivorship that requires special attention. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 Emirati women using a multistage stratified clustered random sampling. The participants were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire composed of sociodemographic variables, reproductive characteristics, and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Cancer-Specific version (EORTC QLQ-C30, v.3.0) and the EORTC QoL Breast Cancer-Specific version (EORTC QLQ-BR23) translated into Arabic. Emirati BC survivors reported good QoL overall. The most bothersome symptoms were sleep disturbance, fatigue, pain, hair loss and arm symptoms. Emirati women scored average on all functional scales, which indicates mediocre functioning, but high on the symptom scales, which indicates worse symptoms. Factors associated with a decline in the domains of QoL included higher age, lower income, and history of metastases, mastectomy, and lymph node dissection. Full article

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multiplex of risk factors that predispose people to the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), two of the major non-communicable diseases that contribute to mortality in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). MetS guidelines require the testing of fasting samples, but there are evidence-based suggestions that non-fasting samples are also reliable for CVD-related screening measures. In this study, we aimed to estimate MetS and its components in a sample of young Emiratis using HbA1c as another glycemic marker. We also aimed to estimate the associations of some known CVD risk factors with MetS in our population. Methods: The study was based on a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data of 5161 participants from the UAE Healthy Future Study (UAEHFS). MetS was identified using the NCEP ATP III criteria, with the addition of HbA1c as another glycemic indicator. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c were used either individually or combined to identify the glycemic component of MetS, based on the fasting status. Multivariate regression analysis was used to test for associations of selected social and behavioral factors with MetS. Results: Our sample included 3196 men and 1965 women below the age of 40 years. Only about 21% of the sample were fasting at the time of recruitment. The age-adjusted prevalence of MetS was estimated as 22.7% in males and 12.5% in females. MetS prevalence was not statistically different after substituting FBG by HbA1c in the fasting groups (p > 0.05). Age, increased body mass index (BMI), and family history of any metabolic abnormality and/or heart disease were consistently strongly associated with MetS. Conclusion: MetS is highly prevalent in our sample of young Emirati adults. Our data showed that HbA1c may be an acceptable tool to test for the glycemic component of MetS in non-fasting samples. We found that the most relevant risk factors for predicting the prevalence of MetS were age, BMI, and family history. Full article

(1) Background: Breast cancer (BC) shows significant epidemiological differences between Eastern and Western countries. These may arise from socio-cultural factors influencing how healthy young women perceive this condition, their risk of getting cancer, and the implications for preventive screening behaviors. In this study, the illness perceptions, individual risk perception, compared risk, and beliefs about preventive behaviors for BC of female university students were compared using an anonymous online survey between a European country (Portugal) and the United Arab Emirates. (2) Method: A structural equation model (SEM) was developed to investigate the hypothetical relationship between illness perceptions and compared risk as predictors of perceived risk for BC. (3) Results: There were significant differences between the study variables. The SEM was invariant, but the differences between regression coefficients in both countries were highly statistically significant. Mediation analyses revealed a significant indirect effect of compared risk on individual risk and a significantly stronger direct effect for the Emirati sample. (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest that cultural research may help to explain factors that may shape social comparison of individual risk characteristics and influence perceived risk. Moreover, providing culturally appropriate strategies to be designed and implemented can promote early detection behaviors for BC. Full article