Unequal burdens: Gender disparities in COVID‑19 health and psychosocial outcomes in the United Arab Emirates
1
Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
2
School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
3
Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Gender disparities in COVID‑19 outcomes remain underexplored in the UAE despite global evidence of unequal physical, psychological, and social impacts. Existing UAE studies on COVID‑19 knowledge, severity, mental health, and vaccine hesitancy seldom examine gender‑specific differences. This study consolidates multiple UAE‑based surveys to provide the first integrated assessment of gendered COVID‑19 impacts in the Arab region offering critical insights to guide equitable and gender‑responsive public health policy.
METHODS:
Data were pooled from four surveys conducted in the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic to assess gender differences in selected outcomes including knowledge, vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19 severity, anxiety and psychological distress among healthcare workers (HCWs), and anxiety among adults). Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between gender, age, and the selected outcome variables.
RESULTS:
Males had a significantly higher risk (71%) of experiencing moderate/severe COVID-19 symptoms compared to females (63%). After hospital discharge, a higher proportion of females reported multiple post-COVID-19 ailments than males, with a gender gap of 22%. Among HCWs, females demonstrated lower knowledge levels (19% gender disparity) and higher vaccine hesitancy (20% gender gap). Anxiety and psychological distress were also more prevalent among females. Logistic regression analyses confirmed that females had higher odds of reporting vaccine hesitancy (OR:2.02), low knowledge of available vaccines (OR:1.97), long COVID-19 symptoms (OR:2.88), work limitation due to physical health after discharge (OR: 2.25), anxiety among adults (OR:1.46), and anxiety among HCWs (OR:1.86), even after adjusting for age, marital status, and educational level.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study highlights clear gender disparities in COVID-19 outcomes. While males were more likely to experience severe disease, females had higher rates of mental health problems, post-discharge functional limitations, and long-term symptoms in the UAE, consistent with international evidence. These findings support the need for gender-responsive public health policies, post-COVID care and mental health interventions.
Gender disparities in COVID‑19 outcomes remain underexplored in the UAE despite global evidence of unequal physical, psychological, and social impacts. Existing UAE studies on COVID‑19 knowledge, severity, mental health, and vaccine hesitancy seldom examine gender‑specific differences. This study consolidates multiple UAE‑based surveys to provide the first integrated assessment of gendered COVID‑19 impacts in the Arab region offering critical insights to guide equitable and gender‑responsive public health policy.
METHODS:
Data were pooled from four surveys conducted in the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic to assess gender differences in selected outcomes including knowledge, vaccine hesitancy, COVID-19 severity, anxiety and psychological distress among healthcare workers (HCWs), and anxiety among adults). Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between gender, age, and the selected outcome variables.
RESULTS:
Males had a significantly higher risk (71%) of experiencing moderate/severe COVID-19 symptoms compared to females (63%). After hospital discharge, a higher proportion of females reported multiple post-COVID-19 ailments than males, with a gender gap of 22%. Among HCWs, females demonstrated lower knowledge levels (19% gender disparity) and higher vaccine hesitancy (20% gender gap). Anxiety and psychological distress were also more prevalent among females. Logistic regression analyses confirmed that females had higher odds of reporting vaccine hesitancy (OR:2.02), low knowledge of available vaccines (OR:1.97), long COVID-19 symptoms (OR:2.88), work limitation due to physical health after discharge (OR: 2.25), anxiety among adults (OR:1.46), and anxiety among HCWs (OR:1.86), even after adjusting for age, marital status, and educational level.
CONCLUSIONS:
The study highlights clear gender disparities in COVID-19 outcomes. While males were more likely to experience severe disease, females had higher rates of mental health problems, post-discharge functional limitations, and long-term symptoms in the UAE, consistent with international evidence. These findings support the need for gender-responsive public health policies, post-COVID care and mental health interventions.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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