Jarab Anan S, Al-Qerem Walid, Alzoubi Karem H, Al Mohammad Mariam, Abu Heshmeh Shrouq R, Al Hamarneh Yazid N, Mukattash Tareq, Khdour Maher
College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
PLoS One. 2025 Jan 31;20(1):e0316613. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316613. eCollection 2025.
To assess knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers to skin cancer screening among the general population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In this cross-sectional study, an online-based questionnaire was distributed via online social media sites such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and others to the residents of the UAE. The questionnaire evaluated socio-demographics, knowledge (8 items), attitudes (10 items), practices (14 items), and barriers (9 items) in the context of skin cancer screening. A binary logistic regression was conducted to assess variables associated with practice levels.
The study included 924 participants (51.9% females), with a median (IQR) age of 32 (22-44) years. Results showed a window for knowledge improvement [median = 4 (3-6) out of a maximum potential score of 8], unfavourable attitudes [median = 37 (33-39) out of a maximum potential score of 50], inadequate practices [median = 41 (31-45) out of a maximum possible score of 70]. The most common barriers to skin cancer screening were lack of knowledge about skin cancer (74.1%), lack of awareness of the need for skin cancer screening (72.2%), and absence of symptoms (54.1%). Older age (OR = 0.985, 95%CI: 0.971-0.998) and lack of health insurance (OR = 0.478, 95%CI: 0.301-0.758) were associated with lower screening practices. Female gender (OR = 1.833, 95%CI: 1.361-2.469), being married (OR = 1.415, 95%CI: 1.006-1.992), being a non-smoker (OR = 1.568, 95%CI: 1.045-2.352) or a former smoker (OR = 2.555, 95% CI: 1.082-6.034), and more favourable attitudes (OR = 1.071, 95%CI: 1.044-1.096) were associated with higher screening practices.
The UAE population exhibited moderate knowledge, unfavourable attitudes, and inadequate practices regarding skin cancer screening, with several barriers identified. Targeted online and in-person awareness campaigns are crucial for improving public understanding and attitudes, thereby enhancing screening practices, especially among older adults, males, smokers, and those without health insurance.
评估阿拉伯联合酋长国（阿联酋）普通人群对皮肤癌筛查的知识、态度、行为及障碍。
在这项横断面研究中，通过脸书、WhatsApp、推特等在线社交媒体平台向阿联酋居民发放基于网络的问卷。该问卷在皮肤癌筛查背景下评估社会人口统计学、知识（8项）、态度（10项）、行为（14项）及障碍（9项）。进行二元逻辑回归以评估与行为水平相关的变量。
该研究纳入924名参与者（51.9%为女性），年龄中位数（四分位间距）为32（22 - 44）岁。结果显示知识有提升空间[最高潜在得分8分，中位数 = 4（3 - 6）分]、态度不佳[最高潜在得分50分，中位数 = 37（33 - 39）分]、行为不足[最高可能得分70分，中位数 = 41（31 - 45）分]。皮肤癌筛查最常见的障碍是缺乏皮肤癌知识（74.1%）、未意识到皮肤癌筛查的必要性（72.2%）以及无症状（54.1%）。年龄较大（比值比 = 0.985，95%置信区间：0.971 - 0.998）和缺乏医疗保险（比值比 = 0.478，95%置信区间：0.301 - 0.758）与较低的筛查行为相关。女性（比值比 = 1.833，95%置信区间：1.361 - 2.469）、已婚（比值比 = 1.415，95%置信区间：1.006 - 1.992）、非吸烟者（比值比 = 1.568，95%置信区间：1.045 - 2.352）或曾经吸烟者（比值比 = 2.555，95%置信区间：1.082 - 6.034）以及更积极的态度（比值比 = 1.071，95%置信区间：1.044 - 1.096）与较高的筛查行为相关。
阿联酋人群在皮肤癌筛查方面知识水平中等、态度不佳且行为不足，同时发现了一些障碍。有针对性的线上和线下宣传活动对于提高公众认知和态度至关重要，从而改善筛查行为，尤其是在老年人、男性、吸烟者以及没有医疗保险的人群中。
