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. 2025 Jan 31;20(1):e0316613.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316613. eCollection 2025.

Public knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers to skin cancer screening in the United Arab Emirates

Anan S Jarab  1   2 , Walid Al-Qerem  3 , Karem H Alzoubi  4   5 , Mariam Al Mohammad  1 , Shrouq R Abu Heshmeh  2 , Yazid N Al Hamarneh  6 , Tareq Mukattash  2 , Maher Khdour  7
Affiliations

Public knowledge, attitudes, practices, and barriers to skin cancer screening in the United Arab Emirates

Anan S Jarab et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, practice, and barriers to skin cancer screening among the general population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: 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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Major sources of information about skin cancer.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Reasons for performing skin self-examination.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Awareness of risk factors for skin cancer.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Awareness of signs and symptoms associated with skin cancer.
Fig 5
Fig 5. The barriers to skin cancer screening.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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