ContextThe prevalence of hypertension in developing countries is coming closer to values found in developed countries. However, surveys usually rely on readings taken at a single visit, the option to implement the diagnosis on readings taken at multiple visits, being limited by costs.ObjectiveTo estimate more accurately the magnitude and extent of the resource that should be allocated to the prevention of hypertension.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional survey with triplicate blood pressure (BP) readings taken on two separate home-visits.SettingRural and urban locations in three areas of Yemen (capital, inland and coast).ParticipantsA nationally representative sample of the Yemen population aged 15–69 years (5063 men and 5179 women), with an overall response rate of 92% in urban and 94% in rural locations.Main outcome measureHypertension diagnosed as systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg and/or self-reported use of antihypertensive drugs.ResultsHypertension prevalence (age-standardised to the WHO world population 2001) based on fulfilling the same criteria on both visits (11.3%; 95% Cl 10.7% to 11.9%), was 35% lower than estimation based on the first visit (17.3%; 16.5% to 18.0%). Advanced age, blood glucose ≥7 mmol/l or proteinuria ≥1+ at dipstick test at visit one were significant predictors of confirmation at visit 2. The 959 participants found to be hypertensive at visit 1 or at visit 2 only and thus excluded from the final diagnosis had a rate of proteinuria (5.0%; 3.8% to 6.5%) comparable to rates of the general population (6.1%; 5.6% to 6.6%), and of subjects normotensive at both visits (5.6%; 5.1% to 6.2%). Only 1.9% of Yemen population classified at high or very high cardiovascular (CV) risk at visit 1 moved to average, low or moderate CV risk categories after two visits.ConclusionsHypertension prevalence based on readings obtained after two visits is 35% lower than estimation based on the first visit, subjects were excluded from final diagnosis belonging to low CV risk classes.

Although globalization can contribute to increased blood pressure by spreading unhealthy behaviors, it also provides powerful means to tackle hypertension. The dissemination of information about and advice on cardiovascular prevention and facilitated contact with health services are valuable resources. To investigate the effects of urbanization, geographical area, and air temperature on hypertension burden and kidney damage, a survey was performed in 2008 with a door-to-door approach among urban and rural adult dwellers of three geographic areas (capital, inland, coast) of Yemen. Subjects (n=10 242) received two visits several days apart to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension. Proteinuria (dipstick test ⩾+1) was used as a marker of kidney damage. Prevalence rates were weighted to represent the Yemen population aged 15–69 years in 2008. Rates of hypertension and proteinuria progressively increased from the capital (6.4% 95% confidence level (CI) 5.8–7.0 and 5.1% 4.4–5.9, respectively), to inland areas (7.9% 7.0–8.7 and 6.1% 5.1–7.1), to the coastal area (10.1% 8.9–11.4 and 8.9% 7.3–10.4). When compared with urban dwellers, rural dwellers had similar hypertension prevalence (adjusted odds ratios (ORs) 1.03; 95% CI 0.91–1.17) but higher proteinuria rates (adjusted ORs 1.55; 1.31–1.85). Overall, home temperature was associated with a lower hypertension rate (adjusted OR 0.98; 0.96–0.99). This large population study reveals that the highest burden of hypertension and kidney damage is detectable in remote areas of the country.

BackgroundStudents’ perceptions of their learning environment, by defining its strengths and weaknesses, are important for continuous improvement of the educational environments and curriculum. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of their learning environment, among medical students in Malaysia. Various aspects of the education environment were compared between year levels and sex.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted at the Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia in 2012. A total number of 438 medical students participated in this study, and the response rate was 87.6%. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Comparisons of the mean scores of Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) subscales were calculated. The t-test was used to determine statistically significant differences.ResultsThe majority of the study participants were female, Malay, and from year 3 (68.7%, 65.3%, and 55.7%; respectively). Analysis of each of the 50 items of the DREEM inventory showed that 47 items scored ranged between 2.00 and 3.00, and three items scored below 2.00. These were identified as problem areas in this medical school that are required to be critically addressed. The overall score showed that the medical students’ perceptions were positive. The students’ perception toward educational environment was positive for all five DREEM subscales.ConclusionThe study found that, in general, the perceptions of the participants about the learning environment were positive. Nevertheless, the study also found there is a need for curriculum improvement in this school and identified priority areas for such improvement.

Little information is available on the meanings of proteinuria in low-resource settings. A population-based, cross-sectional survey was performed in Yemen on 10 242 subjects aged 15–69 years, stratified by age, gender and urban/rural residency. Hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) of ⩾140 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP of ⩾90 mm Hg, and/or self-reported use of antihypertensive drugs; diabetes is diagnosed as fasting glucose of ⩾126 mg dl−1 or self-reported use of hypoglycaemic medications; proteinuria is defined as ⩾+1 at dipstick urinalysis. Odds ratios (ORs) for associations were determined by multivariable logistic regression models. Prevalence (weighted to the Yemen population aged 15–69 years) of hypertension, diabetes and proteinuria were 7.5, 3.7 and 5.1% in urban, and 7.8, 2.6 and 7.3% in rural locations, respectively. Proteinuria and hypertension were more prevalent among rural dwellers (adjusted ORs 1.56; 95% confidence limit (Cl) 1.31–1.86, and 1.23; 1.08–1.41, respectively), diabetes being less prevalent in rural areas (0.70; 0.58–0.85). Differently from hypertension and diabetes, proteinuria was inversely related with age. Most importantly, 4.6 and 6.1% of urban and rural dwellers, respectively, had proteinuria in the absence of hypertension and diabetes. The approach of considering kidney damage as a consequence of hypertension and diabetes might limit the effectiveness of prevention strategies in low-income countries.

This article is qualitative-descriptive analytical research on multiple intelligences, a theory which Howard Gardner introduced. According to Howard Gardner's findings, the concept of multiple intelligences has been widely known and used in educational institutions. Multiple intelligences are also considered a theory that first recognized the diversity of human intelligence. With multiple intelligences, it can be said that no child is stupid. Therefore, each child is born with intelligence that is not always equal to each other. In Islam, the Quran is a complete guide for life. This research has discovered the powerful instruments to develop Qur'anic multiple intelligences in educational institutions through literature. With the thematic interpretation method (maudhui) approach, this study described the practical efforts, using the mindset of interpretation and reflection, to develop the concept of multiple intelligences based on the perspective of the Quran. After researching, collecting, and analyzing all terms in the Quran that relate to intelligence, it is found that the Quran is distinguishing the concept of multiple intelligences. It can be used further as a practical guide for educational institutions in developing the concept of multiple intelligences from the perspective of the Quran

The rapid growth of mobile technology has opened new opportunities for learners to engage in authentic learning activities. The aim of this systematic review is to provide a synthesis of research on mobile device-based authentic learning in educational environments. This review has analyzed 72 studies published between 2010 and 2019 (until mid-November) in terms of major research purposes, methodologies, research outcomes, subject matter domains, educational levels, educational contexts and geographical distributions. Three research questions guided the review process. The findings showed the major research purpose of a majority of the studies was about investigating the effects of mobile device-based authentic learning on students. Researchers have mostly used mixed-methods research to examine the learning phenomena with a majority of the studies reporting positive learning outcomes. The analysis showed that science and literacy are the most represented content areas, while most of the studies were carried out at the elementary school level. More research was conducted in informal contexts than any other contexts, and the most predominantly used mobile device type was tablet computers. The findings revealed that there is a disproportionate distribution of studies in the literature in terms of geographical contributions as studies tend to concentrate on specific countries or regions. Keywords: Authentic learning, mobile learning, situatedness, contextualization, mobile augmented, ubiquitous learning

Modern globalization with the spread of western culture and values obviously challenges the Islamic identity of Muslim youth which makes them following the alien culture and leave the Islamic one. The role of Islamic higher education is considered as one of the most crucial agent for countering this challenges. Therefore, the present study aims to explore the role of Institute for Islamic Studies and Practice (LPPI) UMY in developing the students’ Islamic identity. The study employed case study design using qualitative approach to capture the real-life context of LPPI UMY in playing its role. Through purposive sampling, head of LPPI UMY was selected as the informant in the study considering his role and experiences leading this institution for about ten years. The data were analyzed through thematic analysis to emphasize on pinpointing, examining, and recording patterns (or "themes") from the verbatim transcribed data. The findings revealed that LPPI UMY as an institution that mandated by university to manage and develop Al-Islam and Kemuhammadiyahan (AIK) for the entire academic community in UMY plays its role in developing the Students’ Islamic identity through two major programs; Learning and Guidance Programs. Learning programs are conducted as courses inside the faculty’s curricula and consists of four courses, AIK 1, 2, 3, and AIK 4. Guidance programs on the other hands are conducted as extracurricular and formulated in the form of The Scheme of Character Building through some stages of Islamic activities, as well as supported by other program such as Ramadhan activities.

The purpose of the research was to assess the current situation of the knowledge economy in the Yemeni universities (Public and private) from the point of view of their faculty members. A further investigation into the possible significant differences between faculty members’ views regarding the knowledge economy in both Yemeni public and private universities was also attempted. In order to achieve the objectives of the research, the researchers used the descriptive approach, and designed a questionnaire as the research tool which consisted of four main dimensions: research, development, innovation, education and training, ICT infrastructure, and governance. The validity and reliability of the tool were statistically checked, and data was analyzed using SPSS program. The study revealed the following results: -        The current knowledge economy at Sana’a University was rated as very low by the faculty members.-        The current knowledge economy at the University of Science and Technology was rated by the academic staff as medium.-        There were statistically significant differences between the opinions of the members of the research sample in favor of the University of Science and Technology. A number of recommendations and suggested areas for further research were proposed. Keywords: Knowledge economy, Research, Development, Innovation, Education and training, ICT infrastructure, Governance.