Women's knowledge, perception, practice, and experience of using of skin-lightening products in the United Arab Emirates (UAE): A cross-sectional survey

Background

Skin lightening products (SLPs) are popular among women for medical and non-medical reasons. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the extent of SLP use among women, identify their sources of information, explore factors associated with SLP use and SLP related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among women in the UAE.

Methods

A structured questionnaire in English and Arabic was distributed to women in the UAE. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, knowledge (10 items), attitudes (10 items), practices (9 items), and four additional questions on SLP use. Adequate KAP scores were defined as a score of ≥70% out of the maximum score for each KAP section. Chi-square tests were used to test associations between demographic characteristics, dichotomized KAP scores, and SLP use.

Results

The study included 370 participants, 50% of the respondents were aged 18-24, and 40% were from the Middle East, 64.8% were unmarried, 91% had university degrees, and 50% had healthcare related profession. Among the respondents 25% use SLPs, the majority use SLPs for non-medical reasons. Employment status is significantly associated with SLP use. The percentage of participants with a knowledge, attitude, and practice score of ≥70% is 66.48%, 76.75%, and 74.72% respectively. Type of profession was significantly associated knowledge and practice. In addition, nationality was also associated with practice.

Conclusion

This study highlighted knowledge, attitude and practice gaps and varied levels of SLP-related KAP among women in the UAE. To promote the rational use of SLPs, educational campaigns and stricter regulations are necessary.

A Comprehensive Review on the Impacts of Smoking on the Health of an Individual

Long-term smoking for several years has been known to cause severe ailments in humans from the beginning. Even after knowing that this dangerous addiction is a life-threatening deal, still, ironically, the prevalence of smoking is more or less not getting reduced to a desirable extent. Those who smoke are becoming miserable because of their habit of smoking. Still, on the other hand, due to passive smoking, many more innocent lives are also adversely affected for no fault. This aspect of smoking, i.e., passive or second-hand smoking, is a fearful complication of smoking which is seldom seen with other modes of addiction. Time and again, numerous researches have highlighted the adverse effects of smoking on the human body and the interference it does bring in one's life. Smoking contributes to the deterioration of many preexisting ailments and depletes many valuable aspects of the human body. Smoking thus has a devastating effect on almost all of the tissues of our body and thus exerts its effect on nearly all the major organs. This review article is made by analysing various findings from many researches conducted across the globe by having a thorough search of Pubmed database, which in turn is the main methodology of the article. This review article aims to provide a simple and subtle understanding of the ill effects of smoking on the human body by serving the readers with a readymade platter of comprehensive knowledge about smoking coupled with efforts to eliminate the associated myths.

An Overview on the Potential Hazards of Pyrethroid Insecticides in Fish, with Special Emphasis on Cypermethrin Toxicity

Simple Summary

Pyrethroid insecticides are extensively used in controlling agricultural insects and treatment of ectoparasitic infestation in farm animals. However, the unhygienic disposable and seepage of pyrethroids from the agricultural runoff will lead to contamination of the aquatic ecosystems, which will, in turn, induce harmful toxic effects in the exposed living aquatic organisms, including fish. Cypermethrin (CYP) is a commonly and widely used type II pyrethroid insecticide with known dangerous toxic effects on the exposed organisms. Serious hazardous effects of these toxicants have been reported in several fish species leading to high mortalities and economic losses of the exposed fish.

Abstract

Pesticides are chemicals used to control pests, such as aquatic weeds, insects, aquatic snails, and plant diseases. They are extensively used in forestry, agriculture, veterinary practices, and of great public health importance. Pesticides can be categorized according to their use into three major types (namely insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides). Water contamination by pesticides is known to induce harmful impacts on the production, reproduction, and survivability of living aquatic organisms, such as algae, aquatic plants, and fish (shellfish and finfish species). The literature and information present in this review article facilitate evaluating the toxic effects from exposure to various fish species to different concentrations of pesticides. Moreover, a brief overview of sources, classification, mechanisms of action, and toxicity signs of pyrethroid insecticides in several fish species will be illustrated with special emphasis on Cypermethrin toxicity.

Identification of alcohol problem among long route bus drivers and staffs of Dharan, eastern Nepal: Assessing from the CAGE and DSM-IV tools

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use remains a major cause of preventable death worldwide occurring prematurely. Despite its global burden, alcohol still is a legal drug. Various studies have also shown that factors like education, occupation, influence from films and family, for stress relief, pleasure during alcohol use, better self-esteem, and occupational boredom are associated with alcohol use. The consumption of alcohol, even in relatively small amounts, increases the risk of being involved in a crash for motorists and pedestrians. It is also associated with impaired judgments and so is often linked to road traffic accident.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the prevalence, type of alcohol use, and the associated factors for the initiation of alcohol use among bus drivers and staffs of long route bus of Dharan. To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding alcohol use for their willingness to quit it with medical help.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cross-sectional survey was conducted in 250 long route drivers and staffs in Dharan Bus Park in 2016 with the help of a self-designed questionnaire in Nepali language. The sample size was preliminarily estimated on the basis of the prevalence of alcohol use. The "Alcohol consumer" refers to drivers who used alcohol at least once in the previous year.

RESULTS

Alcohol dependency among Hindu was found to be significantly more than other religious group. The prevalence of alcohol consumption was found to be 78%. About 51% drivers are likely to have alcohol problems, 39% are alcohol abuser, and 45% are alcohol dependent.

CONCLUSION

Drinking and driving increase the vulnerability to injury and death on the road. The study creates awareness among drivers about the harmful use of alcohol and psychosocial consequences.

Every caesarean section must count

Caesarean section rates (CSR) have climbed over the last three decades but some authors have argued that there is no reason to count them, claiming that this practice may lead to inappropriate attempts to lower CSR. However, there are many adverse effects of CS and these are short, medium and long-term for both mother and baby. There is likely to be an optimal CSR which gives the best perinatal outcomes and unless each caesarean counts, and is counted, CSR will be higher than they need to be for best perinatal outcomes.

Antioxidant-induced stress

Antioxidants are among the most popular health-protecting products, sold worldwide without prescription. Indeed, there are many reports showing the benefits of antioxidants but only a few questioning the possible harmful effects of these "drugs". The normal balance between antioxidants and free radicals in the body is offset when either of these forces prevails. The available evidence on the harmful effects of antioxidants is analyzed in this review. In summary, a hypothesis is presented that "antioxidant-induced stress" results when antioxidants overwhelm the body's free radicals.