Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common problem in women and can have negative effects on physical, psychological, social and sexual health. There is limited evidence on its distribution and associated factors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of UI subtypes and to study the association of UI with selected sociodemographic, obstetric and gynaecological factors among women attending a tertiary care center in the UAE. A retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Ajman, UAE, utilising the medical records of women with documented or reported UI from January 2021 to January 2026. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, obstetric, and gynaecological data were extracted by a structured proforma and reviewed by a specialist. Associations between categorical variables and UI subtype were evaluated using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Among the 210 women included, the most common subtype was SUI (40.5%), followed by UUI (32.4%) and MUI (27.1%). Age was significantly associated with UI subtype (p = 0.012). SUI was more common in women aged 30–49 years and MUI in those aged ≥50 years. Subtype was also significantly associated with menopausal status (p = 0.012) and pelvic organ prolapse (p = 0.002). Nationality, BMI, parity, mode of delivery and pelvic surgery were not significantly associated. Early identification and focused evaluation may allow for timely intervention. More generalisable estimates of UAE will require prospective multicentre studies.

Background: Unplanned paediatric hospital readmissions are key indicators of healthcare quality, often reflecting issues in discharge planning and continuity of care. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted healthcare delivery and utilisation, yet its impact on paediatric readmission patterns in Australia remains unclear. Methods: A 5-year single-centre retrospective cohort study of 21,262 paediatric admissions and unplanned readmissions at a non-tertiary metropolitan Australian hospital between 21 March 2017 and 20 March 2023 was conducted. Admissions up to 20 March 2020 were classified as pre-pandemic, and those from 21 March 2020 as during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analysed patient characteristics, including gender, age, First Nations status, primary diagnosis, and socio-economic status, to identify UHR trends. Results: During the COVID-19 period, total paediatric admissions declined by nearly 30%, and the readmission rate decreased from 7.5% to 4.6% compared with the pre-pandemic period. Across both cohorts, higher readmission rates were observed among male patients, infants aged 0–12 months, and children from more socio-economically advantaged areas. Readmissions among First Nations children and those with communicable diseases declined during the pandemic period. Conclusions: A higher proportion of males and patients under 12 months of age had higher readmission rates across both periods. These findings highlight the need for targeted early intervention, age-specific discharge planning, and strengthened follow-up care for high-risk groups. Further research should extend the study period beyond the pandemic and include larger cohorts to better characterise long-term trends and improve generalisability.

Background: Rising global cesarean section (CS) rates have raised concerns about unnecessary interventions, emphasizing the need for informed maternal decision-making regarding modes of delivery. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over eight months among 466 pregnant women attending a tertiary care center in the United Arab Emirates. Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 29. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to assess awareness, preferences, and associations between sociodemographic factors and awareness levels. Results: Most participants were aged ≤30 years (54.1%), housewives (66.1%), and had secondary education (66.1%). The majority were multigravida (69.1%), and 26.6% had a previous CS. A large proportion of participants reported awareness of CS indications (94.8%), and over 90% identified risks associated with both vaginal and cesarean delivery. A large proportion (95.5%) identified faster recovery as a benefit of vaginal birth. Most participants reported having a preferred mode of delivery (88.4%), felt confident in decision-making (91.8%), and were willing to undergo CS if medically indicated (90.6%). Employment status was significantly associated with awareness level ( p = 0.007), while other sociodemographic variables showed no significant association. Conclusions: A large proportion of pregnant women demonstrated awareness of indications and risks related to modes of delivery and reported a preference for vaginal birth unless medically necessary. Strengthening antenatal education and promoting effective communication between pregnant women and health care providers.