ABU DHABI // A lack of basic knowledge by Emiratis when it comes to health issues such as how best to treat a common cold, and everyday food choices including labelling and portion sizes is causing concern among doctors.
Poor ‘health literacy’ affects people’s ability to make healthy choices, meaning easily treatable conditions are often ignored while questionable advice from family members, peers and even social media is preferred to medical professionals.
Dr Hassan Galadari teaches at UAE University as well as practicing at his dermatology clinic in Dubai. He sees many Emirati patients who are confused by common misconceptions about health, including that hair loss is linked to the type of water you wash in and that dry skin means the body is dehydrated.
“There are a number of patients who still are not aware that the majority of colds are caused by viruses and ask for antibiotics and so forth. In addition, there is a great reliance on the use of social media and forums online that are not of any medical or health merit.”
Jawaher Adhuoori, a graduate of public health and nutrition at Zayed University, led a series of analytical testing and interviews to assess the health knowledge of 86 female Emirati students.
Less than half (48 per cent) had a reasonable level of knowledge based on an understanding of food labels, despite the majority studying public health and nutrition (78.6 per cent).
Among those who had “inadequate” understanding, there was a correlation with family education levels; 91 per cent had a father who had a lower education level than the student and 71.4 per cent had a mother who had a lower education level.
The students with “potentially adequate” levels of knowledge were mostly those who had experienced conditions such as diabetes in their family, suggesting a greater level of education from real life experience. For the next round, researchers will be given access to male students.
Dr Ludmilla Scott, Assistant Professor in the College of Natural and Health Sciences, said research around the world has shown that basic health education, including an understanding of simple things such as food labelling and portion size, is key in the prevention and management of disease.
With the increasing incidence of chronic illness the region must address the issue, she said.
“Since young people in the Gulf region are increasingly chronically ill, it is important to start evaluating health literacy in younger populations and not simply those already using the healthcare system,” she said.
Ms Adhuoori agreed, adding that people’s ability to make healthy choices is “not getting enough attention in the Middle East”.
“Even though the chronic diseases that are related to lifestyle are increasing every day ... To solve the problem we need to stop fixing the symptoms and look at the root of the problem, which is low health literacy.”
Dr Scott said health care providers and schools must play a role in changing this lack of basic knowledge among Emiratis.
“We need to engage public health policy makers to join our efforts and ... design policies that will provide health care systems and providers with a framework for health literacy to improve health outcomes, and reduce health care cost, while empowering communities to take an active role in their health and wellness.
“Health literacy should also be integrated in school curricula considering the high number of obesity and related health issues in our younger populations.”
mswan@thenational.ae
