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Exploring the role of healthcare organisations in increasing women’s participation in breast-screening in the United Arab Emirates

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Abstract

The study explored the role of healthcare organisations in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, in improving women’s breast cancer awareness and screening participation in a multi-cultural society. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight representatives from five healthcare organisations involved in breast cancer campaigns in RAK including hospitals, clinics, and universities. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The organisations’ campaigns focused on breast cancer awareness, providing free doctor consultations or clinical breast examinations, and where possible, offering free or subsidised screening or health checks. Breast campaigns and free screening were often limited to October, breast cancer awareness month, but breast screening clinics held more frequent awareness campaigns year-round to focus on increasing screening participation. Collaboration between institutions helped strengthen campaigns along with multiple advertising mediums to reach more women. The representatives believed that campaigns have resulted in greater breast cancer awareness and proactive attitudes among women. There were a variety of strategies used in breast cancer campaigns in RAK, and the involvement of nurses and collaboration between organisations can help strengthen breast cancer campaigns.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the staff from RAK Hospital, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, and Al Qasimi Foundation. They would like to thank Ms. Susan Aiken (RAK Hospital), Dr. Suhail Osmani (RAK Medical and Health Sciences University), and Caitrin Ann Mullan and Holly Cook (Al Qasimi Foundation).

Funding

This study was funded by Sheik Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research [2018-2019], Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, 75 East street, Lidcombe, Sydney, NSW 2141, Sydney, Australia

    Dania Abu Awwad, Syeda Zakia Hossain, Martin Mackey & Patrick Brennan

  2. College of Nursing, Ras Al Khaimah Medical & Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

    Shukri Adam

Authors
  1. Dania Abu Awwad
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  2. Syeda Zakia Hossain
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  3. Martin Mackey
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  4. Patrick Brennan
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  5. Shukri Adam
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Syeda Zakia Hossain.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the University of Sydney’s Human Research Ethics Committee (2019/505) and Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University Ethics Committee (128-2019-F-N).

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Abu Awwad, D., Hossain, S.Z., Mackey, M. et al. Exploring the role of healthcare organisations in increasing women’s participation in breast-screening in the United Arab Emirates. J Canc Educ 37, 755–762 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-020-01877-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-020-01877-0

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