- Home
- Search Results
Search Results
Filter :
FILTER BY keyword:
- Qatar [8]
- primary care [3]
- COVID-19 [2]
- breast cancer screening [2]
- Arab women [1]
- Arabic women breast cancer screening [1]
- CHI [1]
- Epidemiology [1]
- Middle East [1]
- PHC [1]
- Primary Health Care [1]
- Qatar females [1]
- breast cancer [1]
- breast cancer awareness and knowledge [1]
- breast self-examination [1]
- centralized health intelligence [1]
- clinical breast examination [1]
- cold chain [1]
- communicable diseases [1]
- electronic medical records [1]
- epidemiology [1]
- errors and deviations [1]
- health data [1]
- health intelligence [1]
- health needs [1]
- immunization [1]
- mammogram [1]
- noncommunicable diseases [1]
- pharmacy [1]
- primary health care center [1]
- [+] More [-] Less
FILTER BY author:
- Mohamed Ghaith Al-Kuwari [6]
- Ahmad Haj Bakri [4]
- Mujeeb Chettiyam Kandy [3]
- Nabila Al-Meer [3]
- Rajvir Singh [3]
- Salha Bujassoum Al-Bader [3]
- Tam Truong Donnelly [3]
- Abdelhamid Kerkadi [2]
- Al-Hareth Al Khater [2]
- Ara Darzi [2]
- Ivo Vlaev [2]
- Jazeel Abdulmajeed [2]
- Maha Yousef Abdulla [2]
- Mariam Malik [2]
- Mervat Rady [2]
- Mohamed Ahmedna [2]
- Mohamed Al-Kuwari [2]
- Mohamed Ghaith Al Kuwari [2]
- Paul Gately [2]
- Suhaila Ghuloum [2]
- Al-Hareth Al-Khater [1]
- Amal Al Yafei [1]
- Amal Mohammed Al-Yafei [1]
- Amanda Patterson [1]
- Aziza Al-Saadi [1]
- Aziza Al-saadi [1]
- Azza Mustafa Mohammed [1]
- Chiragkumar N Gohel [1]
- Enayat Hanafi Salem [1]
- Enayat Salem [1]
- [+] More [-] Less
FILTER BY date:
FILTER BY language:
FILTER BY content type:
FILTER BY publication:
FILTER BY affiliation:
- 1College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, QA [1]
- 1Department of Public Health, Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control Section, Supreme Council of Health, Doha, Qatar [1]
- 1Faculty of Medicine, The University of Calgary, P.O. Box 23133 Doha, Al Rayyan Campus, Al Forousiya Road, Qatar [1]
- 1Full Professor, Faculty of Nursing; Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada [1]
- 1University of Calgary-Qatar, Al Rayyan Campus, Al Forousiya Road, PO Box 23133, Doha, Qatar [1]
- 2Al-Amal Hospital, Doha, Qatar [1]
- 2Assistant Chairman, Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar [1]
- 2Family and Community Medicine Department, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Doha, Qatar [1]
- 2Hamad Medical Corporation [1]
- 2Leeds Beckett University, UK [1]
- 3Director of Health Lifestyle Programs and Preventive Medicine, Aspetar, Doha, Qatar [1]
- 3Medical Research Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar [1]
- 3Primary Health Care [1]
- 3Program Director Hematology and Oncology, Chair person of ICC –AAH, Hamad Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar [1]
- 3Warwick University, GB [1]
- 4Director of Healthy Lifestyle Program, Public health consultant, Aspetar, P.O. Box 29222, Doha, Qatar [1]
- 4Head of Child Health Service, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Doha, Qatar [1]
- 4Supreme Council of Health, Primary Healthcare, Doha, Qatar [1]
- 4Supreme Education Council of Qatar, QA [1]
- 4University of Calgary, Qatar [1]
- 5Aspetar, QA [1]
- 5Department of Nursing, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar [1]
- 5Qatar Supreme Council of Health, Primary Health Care Department, P.O. Box 3050, Doha - Qatar [1]
- 6Deputy Chief for Continuing Care Group, Hamad Medical Corporation & SCH Nursing Affairs, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar [1]
- 6Hamad Medical Corporation, QA [1]
- 7Imperial College, UK [1]
- 7Senior Consultant Biostatistician, Hamad Medical Corporation. P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar [1]
- Directorate of Operations, Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar. [1]
- Directorate of Preventative Health, Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar [1]
- Directorate of Strategy Planning and Health Intelligence, Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar [1]
- [+] More [-] Less
FILTER BY article type:
FILTER BY access type:
Type of COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Errors and Deviations at the Primary Health Care Vaccination Sites in the State of Qatar 2021-2022
Objective This research aimed to assess coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine administration errors at Primary Health Care Centres (PHCC) in Qatar and provide corrective measures to enhance patient safety based on the Centre for Communicable Diseases recommendations.
Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the electronic medical records of patients receiving COVID-19 vaccines at PHCC between 23 December 2020 and 31 December 2021. Demographic information vaccine details administration dates lot numbers and vaccination sites were extracted. A descriptive analysis was performed to calculate the percentages of common vaccine administration errors outlined by the CDC.
Results PHCC administered 2797941 and 694643 vaccine doses in 2021 and 2022 respectively. The primary error category was data quality with the highest observed error being a discrepancy between vaccine expiration dates and actual dates (3.1% in December 2022). In 2021 all error percentages within data quality were below 0.37%. Notably the most prevalent vaccine administration deviation in 2021 was interval rule 2 where the second dose was administered more than 42 days after the first dose. The highest deviation (1.59%) was reported in November.
Conclusions Vaccination remains crucial for disease prevention necessitating accurate vaccine administration processes. The study underscores the importance of effective implementation and monitoring of vaccination programmes. PHCC’s strategies including ongoing training adherence to guidelines and a monitoring dashboard contributed to better error understanding. This approach facilitated targeted training and communication efforts to enhance patient safety and minimise potential harm. The findings highlight the significance of continuous improvement in vaccine administration to ensure the success of public health interventions.
A Pilot Study On Cognitive-behavioral Approach For Combatting Childhood Obesity In Qatar
Levels of overweight and obesity have reached alarming proportions in Qatar and other Gulf nations. In Qatar the need to establish national strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity was recognized in the National Health Strategy 2011-2016 which stresses the need for prevention. The treatment and prevention of childhood obesity is largely through lifestyle changes- encouraging health eating and physical activity. However changing such behaviors is complex and requires integrated approaches to tackle such a multifaceted problem. In this study we sought to implement and evaluate a novel weight management program for Qatari school children at the vulnerable age of 9-12 years. The program uses a cognitive-behavioral approach that involves developing social and emotional competences promotion healthy dietary habits and development of physical literacy while enlisting family involvement in an attempt to maintain long term weight loss. This study also sought to take things further by integrating cutting edge insights from behavioral economics. The pilot study was conducted by an interdisciplinary team of collaborators from Qatar (Qatar University Supreme Education Council Aspire Hamad Medical Corporation) and external partners (Imperial College and Leeds Metropolitan University/MoreLife UK). The study was branded Agdar/أقدر and involved development of intervention materials questionnaires neuropsychological measures and other study components such as training manuals and virtual world program. A sample of 100 overweight or obese Qatari children (age 9-12) from 5 independent schools participated in the intervention along with a control group. The intervention was conducted in Arabic and consisted of three phases (1) intensive weight loss camps (2) after-school clubs as consolidation phase and (3) a maintenance phase using virtual world program. Variables measured included anthropometric (BMI Fat composition and Waist circumference and Blood pressure) Lifestyle (Physical Activity and Dietary questionnaires) and Psychometric assessments (Self-esteem Subjective well-being and Impulsivity including heart monitoring). Overall 100% of children who participated in the camp lost weight with a significant reduction BMI-SDS (p<0.001). The camp led to a significant improvement in subjective wellbeing in all five dimensions (p<0.01). The afterschool clubs showed a synergistic effect on children who lost weight at camp where further weight loss was achieved in the after school club phase. The overall percentage BMI-SDS reduction (-8.7%) was significantly higher than the required reduction for health benefits in both adolescents (-3%) and adults (-5%). Girls continued to outperform boys in terms of weight loss reduction and maintenance (-11.9 vs. -5.6% respectively). This success occurred despite pre-camp surveys showing nearly two thirds of children not meeting their daily requirements of fruits and vegetables while consuming calorie-dense fast foods and over half of the participants not engaging in physical activity. Physiological parameters such as standard deviation of the heart beat-to-beat intervals used as proxy for impulsivity correlated significantly with BMI-SDS (p<0.035). Children with a higher BMI were less able to withhold their choices (proxy for impulsivity) and the physiological control of their heart rate correlated with this. These findings could help in segmentation of intervention participants into groups to which tailored programs could enhance impact on behavior change.
Effect of Intensive Weight Loss Camp and Maintenance Clubs on Overweight School Children in Qatar
Obesity and overweight continue to raise in Qatar due to a confluence of factors such as genetics overeating inactivity tradition of food-centered social events convenience and advertising of energy-dense fast foods and hot climate making outdoor activities impractical most of the year. Estimates by experts within and outside Qatar point to an extremely high rate of obesity and overweight in Qatar with the World Health Organization placing the rate at 78%. This places Qatar among the top of countries worldwide in the overall prevalence of obesity and overweight. Childhood obesity in particular has also been rapidly increasing with the combined rate of obesity and overweight hovering around 40% up from below 30% less than ten years ago. This trend is alarming due to the increased risks for obesity-related conditions such as diabetes coronary heart diseases and lower quality of living. Hence comprehensive obesity prevention interventions are needed to stem the rise of obesity among Qatari children. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated weight loss intervention incorporating lifestyle education physical activity and behavioral psychology nudges among Qatari school children. The intervention was designed to integrate family and school support and fit within Qatari school system calendar and schedule. The study was branded Agdar/أقدر and conducted by an interdisciplinary team of collaborators from Qatar (Qatar University Supreme Education Council Aspire Hamad Medical Corporation) and external partners (Imperial College Leeds Metropolitan University/MoreLife UK).
In the first year of a three-year intervention study four randomly chosen schools in Qatar participated in the intervention with a total of 941 Qatari children (316 girls and 625 boys) between 9 to 12 years of age of whom 430 children were qualified to participate in the study. A group of four other randomly chosen schools served as control. Out of 430 qualified children one hundred children (50 boys and 50 girls) with BMI in the 95th percentile from the intervention schools were enrolled in a two phase weight loss intervention. Phase 1 consisted of an intensive weight loss camp with a highly structured set of activity which combined a range of physical activity lifestyle learning dietary control behavioral nudge techniques and social activity. The second phase consisted of a ten week after school sessions on lifestyle education and weight management for those children who successfully completed camp. These after school/community clubs were run on school premises to facilitate integration in school schedule. The two phases were designed to be complementary: the camp helps children lose weight and introduces them healthy lifestyle behavior whereas the after school phase embeds/consolidates the knowledge already learnt and helps in long term weight management. During the camp children participated in a range of structured interactive and skill based activities including a mixture of water based activity contact games and electives where the children were able to choose from a range of physical activities. At camp participants were subjected to a series of assessments including anthropometric (Weight Height BMI Waist Circumference Blood pressure) Lifestyle and Physical Activity Questionnaires (diet and physical activity) and Psychometric assessment (self-esteem and subjective well-being). During the clubs only anthropometric measurements took place to ensure the children get the most out of the sessions focusing on reward and recognition and celebrating success regardless of the magnitude of the health improvement. This phase was designed to provide children and parents with the tools know-how and the confidence to carry on with the new healthy lifestyle at home as means to ensure durable weight management.
Data show that out of the 941 children in intervention schools 430 children or 45.7% were either overweight or obese having BMI in the top 95th centile by age. This rate is higher than the 42% we observed in a pilot study conducted by our team in 2014 and the 40% prevalence of overweight and obesity among children reported by other studies.
A total of 100 children aged 9–12 completed the camp with a significant reduction in percent BMI SDS of 12.5% (p < .001). The average percent BMI SDS reduction was higher for girls than that of boys (11 vs. 14%). This percent BMI SDS reduction is four times the minimum BMI SDS reduction (3%) required for health benefits in adolescents. The camp also resulted in a significant improvement in self-esteem (p < .001) with females edging males in terms of improvement in self-esteem. A slight but not significant improvement in subject wellbeing was also observed between the start and end of camp (p = 0.128).
These improvements in percent BMI SDS reduction (weight loss) and self-esteem occurred in a group that reported an unhealthy lifestyle profile with respect to physical activity and diet. In fact participant responses painted a profile characterized by little or no physical activity (1 to 2 times/week) with two thirds of participants reporting fewer than 3 occasions of physical activity in their previous week. Participants' diet was characterized by low intake of fruits and vegetables and high intake of calorie-dense foods including sweets soft drinks and fast foods. Girls reported eating more fruits than boys but they seem to indulge more frequently in sweets.
As the camp phase resulted in a significant weight loss among all participants (100% of participant lost weight at variable levels) particularly girls who were more serious in participation the clubs were found to help participants in weight management. After an initial weight gain during a 3 week period between camp and club phases (percent BMI SDS reduction down to 10%) participants were able to recover and maintain their post camp levels of BMI SDS reduction. Correlations on data suggest that the more clubs participants (particularly boys) attended the more likely they were to lose weight during the club phase (p = .028).
In summary the intervention camp was effective in significantly reducing the weight of all participants despite its short duration of 11 days. After school clubs showed effectiveness in maintaining or further enhancing weight loss achieved in the camp and in engaging parents. The synergistic effect of the camp and after school/community clubs suggests promising potential for successful incorporation of this integrated intervention into the school curriculum especially since the camp occurs during mid-year school break and the after school clubs during school days. The succeeding cohorts will provide further data for validation of this potential. The one year follow up data are being collected to assess the durability of weight changes and the stickiness of behavioral changes induced by the different phases of this intervention.
Status of cold chain management among health care providers in Qatar: Primary health care center-based intervention study
Objective: The study aimed to measure the status of cold chain management among primary health care professionals at primary healthcare centers (PHCC) in Qatar.
Methods: A cross-sectional design with pre-post-intervention study was conducted and 570 primary health professionals were selected from 21 PHCCs using random sampling. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the status of cold chain system of healthcare workers before and after educational intervention.
Results: Of the 570 subjects 492 (86.3%) participated in the post-intervention evaluation. cold chain management before the intervention six elements were present in all of the PHCCs (100%) eight were present in >80% another eight were present in 60–80% while 13 were present in < 60%. These figures improved to 8 13 4 and 10 respectively after the intervention.
Conclusion: In Qatar The current status of cold chain status among primary healthcare workers had significantly improved after intervention. The practices of health professionals were also found to be adequate. Therefore it is recommended that all health professionals working in PHCCs should receive mandatory cold chain management training to ensure delivery of safe and effective vaccines in Qatar.
Keywords: KAP cold chain primary health care center immunization PHC Qatar
Transforming Primary Healthcare Services with Centralized Health Intelligence: A Case Study from Qatar
Centralized Health Intelligence (CHI) represents an ecosystem where data technology and expertise converge to elevate the standards of healthcare services. In this case study we explore the pivotal role of CHI in reshaping the healthcare paradigm at the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) in Qatar. Adopting clinical information systems led to a wealth of data necessitating the transformation of the conventional health information management team into the Business and Health Intelligence (BHI) Department. The establishment of a centralized enterprise data warehouse (EDW) and the use of business intelligence tools by the BHI Department further contributed to improved data governance. A meticulous Centralized Health Intelligence Framework was devised to ensure the effective use of PHCC's data assets. This framework encompasses policies and procedures related to data stewardship information needs assessment data classification data privacy and data literacy requirements. Through this study we demonstrate how PHCC has harnessed CHI to redefine healthcare delivery by providing relevant stakeholders with easy access to advanced data analytics and data-driven decision-making tools. Implementing CHI infrastructure presents many challenges including financial technical and organizational hurdles. Despite these challenges CHI significantly benefits relevant stakeholders by providing enhanced access to health data fostering active engagement. However addressing data comprehension security and privacy concerns remains critical.
Study exploring breast cancer screening practices amongst Arabic women living in the State of Qatar
Breast cancer is a public health threat in the State of Qatar. It is the most common cancer and the incidence rate is increasing. It has been found that women often present with breast cancer at advanced stages in Qatar. Early detection of breast cancer is an important prognostic factor and breast cancer screening has been found successful in decreasing mortality rates. The percentage of women in Qatar engaging in screening activities is alarmingly low. A study has been designed to examine barriers and facilitators that are potentially influencing women in participating in breast cancer screening activities. Understanding these barriers and facilitators is essential in order to create a culturally appropriate and effective intervention that can encourage women in Qatar to participate in screening activities. In this paper the background to the study is presented which highlights the magnitude of the breast cancer problem in Qatar and offers the rationale and information for this potentially groundbreaking study.
Epidemiology of scorpion sting and snakebite cases in Qatar 2018–2022: A primary care-based study
Background: Envenomation caused by snakebites and scorpion stings is a neglected disease responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. In Qatar little information is available on the epidemiological aspects of snakebites and scorpion stings. This study describes the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of patients treated for scorpion stings or snakebites at Qatar’s Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC).
Methods: A retrospective data analysis was applied to investigate the number of scorpion stings and snakebites reported at the PHCC health centers between January 1 2018 and December 31 2022. The data were electronically extracted from the medical records of the registered population at PHCC.
Results: 581 scorpion stings and 21 cases of snakebites were reported between January 1 2018 and December 31 2022. The highest number of scorpion stings reported in 2020 was 141 cases. The distribution of scorpion stings was higher among males than females with rates of 86% and 14% respectively and the highest number of cases occurred in the age group of 19–39 years. Among the total cases Bangladeshi and Qatari were the most affected with a rate of 41% and 14% respectively. The western region had the highest incidence of scorpion stings at 7.47 per 10000 persons.
Conclusion: According to this research the western region had the highest occurrence of scorpion stings cases primarily among Bangladeshis and Qataris particularly in the age group of 19–49 years. This study also found similar patterns in snakebite cases. Consequently this study emphasizes the need for increased investment in antivenom and the training of healthcare professionals to address scorpion stings effectively.
Promoting screening to reduce breast cancer mortality among Arab women: What do healthcare professionals need to do?
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among Arab women. Early detection of breast cancer through regular screening activities improvement of the quality of screening activities and enhanced treatment have been found to decrease mortality rates. However alarmingly low participation rates in breast cancer screening activities have been reported among Arab women. Drawing on the findings of our recent study in Qatar and a comprehensive literature review of studies in this paper we recommend several categories of intervention strategies to promote early detection of breast cancer among Arab populations. These include: (1) Providing public education about breast cancer and cancer screening methods; (2) Encouraging primary care physicians to incorporated BC screening recommendations into their daily practice and routine with their female patients; (3) Deliver interventions that minimize cognitive barriers at the individual level; (4) Incorporate access-enhancing strategies; and (5) More intervention and evaluation studies are needed to develop culturally sensitive interventions and assess the cost-effectiveness and long-term sustainability of the intervention programs.
Status of cold chain management among health care providers in Qatar: Primary health care center based intervention study
Objective: The study aimed to assess cold chain management status among health care professionals at primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Qatar. Methods: A cross-sectional design with pre-post intervention study was conducted in 21 PHCCs. A structured cold chain checklist was used to collect data regarding the status of cold chain management system in the centers before and after educational intervention. Results: Prior to the intervention six key criteria for cold chain management were present in all 21 PHCCs (100%) eight were present in >80% another eight were present in 60–80% while 13 were present in < 60%. Post intervention these figures improved to 8 13 4 and 10 respectively. Conclusion: In Qatar cold chain management system practices among primary health care workers were generally positive. These practices significantly improved following an educational intervention within the targeted primary health care centers. Therefore it is recommended that all health care professionals working in PHCCs should receive mandatory cold chain management training prior to their initiation of clinical practice to ensure delivery of safe and effective vaccines in Qatar.
Understanding the epidemiological characteristics of the primary healthcare corporation-based COVID-19 swabbed persons in Qatar, 2020
Background: In March 2020 Qatar started reporting increased numbers of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). National preventive measures were implemented and a testing plan was developed to respond to the pandemic with the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) as the central element. PHCC is the main public primary healthcare provider in Qatar and it operates in 27 health centers with around 1.4 million registered individuals as of January 1 2020. The latter population was distributed across four main nationality groups; Middle Eastern and North African (51.5%) Asian (41.2%) African (2.4%) and others (5.1%). At the primary healthcare level in Qatar this study describes the epidemiological characteristics of individuals registered at PHCC who had contracted COVID-19 in 2020 during the first wave before the vaccination phase and examines the factors associated with the positivity rate.
Methods: Retrospective data analysis was conducted for persons screened for SARS-CoV-2 in primary healthcare health centers in Qatar between March 11 and December 31 2020. The study analyzed the demographic characteristics of the tested persons and noncommunicable disease burden positivity rate by month nationality and age-group and the factors associated with the positivity rate.
Results: Between March 11 and December 31 2020 PHCC tested 379247 persons for SARS-CoV-2 with a median age (IQR) of 32 (21–42) years. Of these 57.0% were from the Middle East and North Africa and 32.5% were originally from Asia. Overall 10.9% had diabetes mellitus and 11.3% had hypertension. The epidemiological curve showed a steep increase in the positivity rate from March till May 2020 at the highest rate of 37.5% in May 2020. The highest positivity rate was observed among Asian males at 15.7%. The positivity rate was the lowest among the age-group aged 60 years and above. It was almost the same among the tested persons for SARS-CoV-2 in the three main age groups (0–18 19–39 40–59) at 10.1% 12.3% and 12.2% respectively. In a multi regression model being a male was associated with a higher risk (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.13–1.17). Asians were at higher risk than those originally from the Middle East and North Africa (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.27–1.32). COVID-19 infection was higher among those presenting clinical symptoms than asymptomatic individuals (OR. 4.52; 95% CI 4.42–4.64).
Conclusion: The epidemic among the PHCC-registered population predominantly affected younger ages and males namely coming from Asia. At the primary healthcare level the COVID-19 infection rate was higher among those who presented with clinical symptoms. The lowest positivity rate among individuals >60 years may reflect the effectiveness of public health measures related to the high-risk group. Scaled-up testing at the primary healthcare level helped to detect more cases during the peak of the first wave and was reflected in a steady increase in the positivity rate flattened later due to the established public health measures.
Epidemiological health assessment in primary healthcare in the State of Qatar- 2019
Background: In the public sector in Qatar the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) is the major provider of primary healthcare services to families. Therefore the PHCC conducted the first epidemiological health assessment to understand the burden of diseases and their subsequent risk factors impacting its registered population to design better services implement it and allocate resources to respond to the population health needs.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adopted among all PHCC registered populations between September 1 2018 and August 31 2019. The study target population was all persons residing in Qatar aged 0+ years and registered at the 27 health centers affiliated with the PHCC; excluding patients with an expired residence permit on August 31 2019 and craft male workers were provided their primary healthcare services at the Qatar Red Crescent health facilities. The data were extracted from patients’ electronic medical records (EMR).
Results: The burden of type 2 diabetes hypertension and dyslipidemia were the highest among the population of the central region at 13.9% 15.7% and 11.1% respectively. Tobacco consumption among males was higher than females and ranged from 25.4% to 27.8% with the highest rate in the northern region. Obesity rates ranged between 34.7% and 37.0% among the total population registered with the lowest rate in the central region while 39.9% of females in the northern region had a body mass index above 30 kg/m2. Exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months was significantly lower than that at 4 months across all regions. Children in the northern region had the highest rate of overweight/obesity based on Z-scores. The western region population had the highest number of communicable diseases notifications.
Conclusion: Understanding the patterns of disease in the local population will enable the PHCC to plan a clear set of services that meet the population's health needs which include tailored health education and promotion components.
Breast cancer screening among Arabic women living in the State of Qatar: Awareness, knowledge, and participation in screening activities
Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the State of Qatar and the incidence rate is rising. Previous findings indicate women in Qatar are often diagnosed with breast cancer at advanced stages and their participation rates in screening activities are low.
Purpose: To investigate within the State of Qatar Arabic women’s knowledge regarding breast cancer and breast cancer screening (BCS) methods and their participation rates in BCS. This paper reports on the results of a cross-sectional survey.
Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional interview survey was conducted with 1063 Arabic women (Qatari citizens and non-Qatari Arabic-speaking residents) 35 years of age or older from March 2011 to July 2011.
Results: Of the 1063 women interviewed (87.5% response rate) 90.7% were aware of breast cancer; 7.6% were assessed with having basic knowledge of BCS 28.9% were aware of breast self-examination (BSE) 41.8% were aware of clinical breast exams (CBE) and 26.9% were aware of mammograms. Of the women interviewed 13.8% performed BSE monthly 31.3% had a CBE once a year or once every two years and 26.9% of women 40 years of age or older had a mammogram once a year or once every two years. Participation rates in BCS activities were significantly related to awareness and knowledge of BCS education levels and receiving information about breast cancer self-examination or mammography from any of a variety of sources particularly physicians.
Conclusions: Study results demonstrate that despite the existent breast cancer screening recommendations less than one-third of Arabic women living in Qatar participate in BCS activities. Public health campaigns encouraging more proactive roles for health care professionals regarding awareness and knowledge of breast cancer BCS and the benefits of early detection of breast cancer will help increase screening rates and reduce mortality rates among Arabic women living in the State of Qatar.