Emiratis more depressed than expats: Survey

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Emiratis more depressed than expats: Survey
Dubai Health Authority announces findings of a health survey

Dubai - 13,289 residents took part in the second Dubai Health Authority survey

by

Asma Ali Zain

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Published: Wed 1 Jun 2016, 7:18 PM

Just how healthy are the people of Dubai?
A survey that gives a clear picture of the health of Dubai residents and will help shape the emirate's future health strategy was released on Tuesday.

Findings of the survey
 > Emirati nationals were more depressed than expatriates. 96 females out of 10,000 suffered from depression as compared to 13 out of 10,000 males.
> 21.9% of the people were smokers (24.8% men and 4.2 p% women).
> Those involved in vigorous physical activity were 10.8% males and 2.2% females
> 3.5% were found to suffer from hypertension and more women (5.1%) suffered from the disease than men (3.2%).
> More Emiratis (18.9%) suffered from hypertension out of which 20% were men and 18% are women.
> It was found that more expat women (6.6%) suffered from hypertension than expat men (3.9%).
> 50.5% said they eat fruits once every day and 29.9% said they eat fruits twice a day
> While 42.7% eat vegetables once a day and 32.2 % eat vegetables twice a day.
> 36.1% of the people suffered from borderline obesity; while 11.9% were obese.
> Emirati elderly (14.7%) suffered from high cholesterol, 27.4 suffered from hypertension.
> Many Emirati elderly (35%), require help in taking part in daily activities, 16.4% require help bathing, 14% require help in changing clothes and 8.1% need help in eating
> For a female elderly, a son/daughter/maid (30.7%) provided more care than husband while for a male elderly, (34.8%) were taken care of by wives.
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA), releasing the Dubai Health Survey on Tuesday, said the focus was on reduction of chronic diseases and improving vaccination as well as programmes for the elderly.
According to the survey, 30 per cent of the deaths in Dubai in 2014 were due to heart diseases. The survey questioned 3,298 Emirati and expatriate families (13,289 people).
The survey has found that Emirati nationals were more depressed than expatriates and majority has hypertension..
"We have identified programmes that we can implement to reduce certain diseases such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and improve vaccination programmes," said Dr Manal Al Taryam, Chief Executive Officer, Primary Healthcare Services Sector at the authority.
"Some of the programmes are already in place and are part of the Dubai Health Strategy 2021," she said.
The results were from a survey commissioned by the authority in partnership with the Dubai Statistics Centre.
"We will also focus on reducing obesity and improving lifestyle of the community."
The survey included Dubai residents from all nationalities and ages to learn about their social and health conditions.
This is the second Dubai Health Survey; the first was conducted in 2009.
"Compiling such information is important as it is will guide the authority in creating its future strategies and plan effective initiatives, that aim to find solutions and raise awareness about relevant health issues in Dubai," Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General of DHA said.
The survey focused on lifestyle, healthcare services, chronic diseases, vaccination coverage and elderly care.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com


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