Taoufik Zoubeidi
UAE University, Statistics, Faculty Member
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Learning outcomes assessment is an effective academic quality assurance tool that enables educators to review and enhance the alignment between planned, delivered, and experienced curricula. Accurately assessing what students know and are... more
Learning outcomes assessment is an effective academic quality assurance tool that enables educators to review and enhance the alignment between planned, delivered, and experienced curricula. Accurately assessing what students know and are able to do after completing a learning module is the first step to decide on the strategies to implement and the proper actions to take in order to ensure the continuous improvement of the student learning experience. This paper introduces a simple process for effectively assessing the intended program learning outcomes using assessment data collected at the course level. The process takes advantages of the assessment instruments used regularly by course instructors to assess their students in the classroom. This would help the program collect effective assessment data, while reducing the assessment load and not overwhelming faculty with extra assessment tasks.
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Research assessing the nutrition knowledge of postbariatric surgery patients is limited, although this category of patients is predisposed to malnutrition. In this pilot study, we explored postbariatric nutrition knowledge, satisfaction... more
Research assessing the nutrition knowledge of postbariatric surgery patients is limited, although this category of patients is predisposed to malnutrition. In this pilot study, we explored postbariatric nutrition knowledge, satisfaction levels with dietitian nutrition counseling, and decision to undergo bariatric surgery of 83 patients who attended a postbariatric outpatient nutrition clinic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross-sectional design involving gender-stratified random sampling method was used to recruit 83 postbariatric surgery participants. A self-administered questionnaire was employed to collect information about nutrition knowledge related to dietary recommendations after bariatric surgery as well as participant views on dietitian nutrition counseling, their decision to undergo bariatric surgery, and nutrition-related complications experienced after the surgery. The mean (SD) knowledge score of postbariatric diet was 9.7 (2.05) out of a maximum possible score...
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To study the prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) symptom patterns among women in the United Arab Emirates and to measure the debilitating nature of PMDD symptoms and sociodemographic correlates. This cross-sectional... more
To study the prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) symptom patterns among women in the United Arab Emirates and to measure the debilitating nature of PMDD symptoms and sociodemographic correlates. This cross-sectional sample study used the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus (MINI-Plus) and Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) to screen for presence and severity of PMDD symptoms in Arab women attending ambulatory health services in Alain city, Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for routine health care between May 2005 and September 2005. The study participants include 508 women (76% Emiratis, 15% Omanis, and 8% other Arabs) of childbearing age. In total, 94 women (18.6%) met MINI-Plus criteria for PMDD; of these, 21 (4.1%) met PSST criteria for severe symptoms, 29 (5.7%) for moderate symptoms, and 44 (8.7%) for mild or less symptoms. One woman (0.2%) with severe symptoms and 12 women (2.4%) with moderate symptoms had negative MINI-Plus s...
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No systematic studies have been carried out on the effects of toxic metals on childhood behavior in the Gulf Region including the UAE. The relationship between blood levels of heavy metals and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder... more
No systematic studies have been carried out on the effects of toxic metals on childhood behavior in the Gulf Region including the UAE. The relationship between blood levels of heavy metals and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were explored in school-aged children of UAE and it was found that increased blood concentrations of lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were significantly associated with ADHD. The findings suggest that monitoring for exposure to heavy metal levels and education on potential child health hazards related to them are indicated.
Research Interests: Psychology, Adolescent, Medicine, United Arab Emirates, Heavy metals, and 15 moreHumans, Child, Female, Male, Public health systems and services research, Odds ratio, Biological markers, Environmental Pollutants, Logistic Models, Environmental Exposure, Case Control Studies, Child preschool, Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and Paediatrics and reproductive medicine
In a clinical trial of two treatments, one goal of the experimenter is to design an experiment such that the number of patients assigned to the inferior treatment is minimized. A Bayesian formulation for this problem is studied. Treatment... more
In a clinical trial of two treatments, one goal of the experimenter is to design an experiment such that the number of patients assigned to the inferior treatment is minimized. A Bayesian formulation for this problem is studied. Treatment outcomes are assumed to be independent and normally distributed, with conjugate priors. The analysis is conducted in a large sample limit where sampling costs are scaled to zero. First we show there is little harm restricting attention to procedures that stop according to Kiefer and Sacks stopping rule. There are procedures in this class with risks that exceed the minimum Bayes risk by the cost of a fixed number of observations. Using this we then develop procedures with bounded deficiency. A Monte Carlo study shows that these procedures perform better than the pairwise procedure.Ph.D.Pure SciencesStatisticsUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/128296/2/8907179.pd
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We provide an overview of the state of the higher education system in the UAE, and investigate its capacity to supply Dubai’s economy with skilled labor and achieve the emirate’s strategic social development objectives. We examine various... more
We provide an overview of the state of the higher education system in the UAE, and investigate its capacity to supply Dubai’s economy with skilled labor and achieve the emirate’s strategic social development objectives. We examine various characteristics of the higher education sector and discuss their inherent strengths and weaknesses in light of Dubai’s labor market needs. Our findings reveal that the UAE higher education sector has witnessed an impressive growth since 1997 mostly led by a vigorous expansion of the private higher education sector. This situation led to a substantial growth in higher education opportunities for the UAE population. However, the lack of development of graduate studies and the lower quality of graduates, as perceived by both employees and employers, represent the main challenges to the capacity of the sector in fulfilling the needs of Dubai’s economy.
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Research Interests: Adolescent, Quality Control, United Arab Emirates, Environmental Sciences, Humans, and 15 moreChild, Female, Male, Middle Aged, Indoor air pollution, Adult, Particle Size, Cross Sectional Studies, Environmental, Environmental Exposure, Air Pollutants, Socioeconomic Factors, health status indicators, Medical and Health Sciences, and Population surveillance
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Objectives The association of obesity and family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) provides an opportunity for risk stratification and prevention, as these two conditions are the most well-known risk factors for T2DM. We aimed to... more
Objectives The association of obesity and family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) provides an opportunity for risk stratification and prevention, as these two conditions are the most well-known risk factors for T2DM. We aimed to test the feasibility and effects of a diabetes mellitus prevention education program designed for overweight and obese Emirati people with at least one parent with T2DM. Methods We conducted a pilot study using a pre-post design without a control arm at the Diabetes Center at Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, UAE. Overweight and obese subjects with at least one parent with T2DM were invited to participate. Three study assessments were conducted at baseline, three months, and six months including a questionnaire, anthropometry, and laboratory assessments. Interventions included three individualized or family-engaged counseling sessions based on the DiAlert protocol. The study outcomes included awareness of risks and prevention opportunities to T2DM, behavio...
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We develop fixed size confidence regions for estimating the fixed and random effects parameters of the mixed effects logistic regression model. This model applies to, among others, the study of the effects of covariates on a dichotomous... more
We develop fixed size confidence regions for estimating the fixed and random effects parameters of the mixed effects logistic regression model. This model applies to, among others, the study of the effects of covariates on a dichotomous response variable when subjects are sampled in clusters. Two sequential procedures are developed to estimate with a prescribed accuracy (confidence level) and fixed precision the set of fixed and random effects parameters and linear transformations of these parameters, respectively. We show that the two procedures are asymptotically consistent (i.e., the coverage probability converges to the nominal confidence level) and asymptotically efficient (i.e., the ratio of the expected random sample size to the unknown best fixed sample size converges to 1) as the width of the confidence region converges to 0. Suggestions to improve the performance of the procedures are provided based on Monte Carlo simulation and illustrated through a longitudinal clinical ...
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A B S T R A C T Children are frequently exposed to toxic metals in the environment, but a developing central nervous system is particularly vulnerable to its effects. This study examined the blood levels of heavy metals in children with... more
A B S T R A C T Children are frequently exposed to toxic metals in the environment, but a developing central nervous system is particularly vulnerable to its effects. This study examined the blood levels of heavy metals in children with learning disorder (LD) as compared to children without learning disorder in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Significantly high blood concentrations of seven heavy metals were found in children with learning disorder. Further analysis using forward stepwise logistic regression showed that molybdenum levels and family history of developmental problems were the best predictors of learning disorder. Our findings suggest the need for monitoring for toxic metals in the environment.
Objectives To assess the prevalence of overweight, obesity and Insufficient Sleep Duration (ISD) and to investigate their relationship with related lifestyle factors among school-aged students. Obesity in childhood and adolescence is a... more
Objectives To assess the prevalence of overweight, obesity and Insufficient Sleep Duration (ISD) and to investigate their relationship with related lifestyle factors among school-aged students. Obesity in childhood and adolescence is a serious health concern as it may have long term risk for overweight and obesity in adulthood. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of 1,611 students aged between 10 and 18 years from Al Ain city, United Arab Emirates. Data were collected using a multistage stratified random sampling method using a validated questionnaire and the level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 42.4%. ISD was 36.6% among students. Higher BMI was significantly related to being a male and inactive (95% CI=0.03–0.23), daily coffee consumption (95% CI=0.03–0.1), older age (95% CI=0.01–0.02), less average sleep duration (95% CI=−0.02 to −0.003) and spending more time on TV/videogames (95% CI=0.01–0.07). The likelihood of IS...
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Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in singleton pregnancies represent a high-risk scenario. The incidence, associated factors and outcomes of GDM in twin pregnancies is not known in the UAE. Methods This was five years... more
Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in singleton pregnancies represent a high-risk scenario. The incidence, associated factors and outcomes of GDM in twin pregnancies is not known in the UAE. Methods This was five years retrospective analysis of hospital records of twin pregnancies in the city of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Relevant data with regards to the pregnancy, maternal and birth outcomes and incidence of GDM was extracted from two major hospitals in the city. Regression models assessed the relationship between socio-demographic and pregnancy-related variables and GDM, and the associations between GDM and maternal and fetal outcomes at birth. Results A total of 404 women and their neonates were part of this study. The study population had a mean age of 30.1 (SD: 5.3), overweight or obese (66.5%) and were majority multiparous (66.6%). High incidence of GDM in twin pregnancies (27.0%). While there were no statistical differences in outcomes of the neonates, GDM mothers w...
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Background The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first country in the Middle East to report severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Serosurveys are essential to understanding the extent of virus... more
Background The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first country in the Middle East to report severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Serosurveys are essential to understanding the extent of virus transmission. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Methods Between 19 July and 14 August 2020, 4487 households were selected using a random sample stratified by region and citizenship of the head of household (UAE citizen or non-citizen). A cluster sample of 40 labour camps was selected. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, risk factors and symptoms compatible with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were collected. Each participant was first tested by Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay, followed, when reactive, by the LIAISON® SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG assay. Results Among 8831 individuals from households, seroprevalence was 10·4% [95% confidence intervals (CIs) 9·5–11·4], with h...
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Background: Risks of diagnostic radiation have become more notable lately, particularly in young children with chronic medical conditions. This study reports on the cumulative radiation from chest radiographs in children with asthma. Its... more
Background: Risks of diagnostic radiation have become more notable lately, particularly in young children with chronic medical conditions. This study reports on the cumulative radiation from chest radiographs in children with asthma. Its main purpose was to review our current practice and suggest minimizing the use of chest radiographs.Methods: The study was retrospective and conducted at a pediatric tertiary center. Eligibility criteria included children 2–15 y, admitted between January 2017 and December 2018 for asthma management.Results: Of the 643 children admitted as “asthma exacerbation,” 243 [40% females; age (mean ± SD) 5.4±3.3 y] met the study criteria for inclusion. Ninety-two (38%) children had a temperature of 38.8±0.7°C on the day of admission. Antibiotics were prescribed for 148 (61%) children, mainly for presumed pneumonia. Chest radiographs were requested for 214 (88%) children, mainly on the day of admission. Only 38 (18%) chest radiographs showed focal/multifocal p...
Background: Risks of cancer have become more notable lately, especially for young children with a chronic condition such as atopy. This study reports on cumulative radiation from chest radiographs in children with asthma. Its main aims... more
Background: Risks of cancer have become more notable lately, especially for young children with a chronic condition such as atopy. This study reports on cumulative radiation from chest radiographs in children with asthma. Its main aims were to consider our current practice, and suggest minimizing chest radiograph use in this vulnerable people. Methods: The study was retrospective and conducted at tertiary center. Eligibility criteria included children 2-15 y who were admitted between January-2017 and December-2018 for asthma management. Results: Of 643 children who were admitted as ‘asthma exacerbation’, 243 (40% females; age [mean±SD] 5.4±3.3 y) met the study criteria for inclusion. Ninety-two (38%) children had temperature 38.8±0.7oC on the day of admission. Antibiotics were prescribed for 148 (61%) children, mainly for presumed pneumonia. Chest radiographs were requested for 214 (88%) children, mainly on the day of admission. Only 38 (18%) chest radiographs showed focal/multifoca...
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To explore in Arab communities the prevalence, dynamics, and resources available to address the physical and psychological consequences that may arise from psychiatric disorders. An online survey of psychiatrists and primary care... more
To explore in Arab communities the prevalence, dynamics, and resources available to address the physical and psychological consequences that may arise from psychiatric disorders. An online survey of psychiatrists and primary care physicians from 17 Arab countries was conducted between September 2011 and June 2012. The survey serves as a needs assessment in a scientifically valid and culturally sensitive manner. Additionally, it focuses attention on the clinical strengths and weaknesses of Middle Eastern primary health care and mental health centers in identifying and treating trauma-related health and mental health issues. The 90 survey respondents comprised psychiatrists (n = 53) and primary care physicians (n = 37). They practiced in 3 clinical settings: primary mental health (27%), inpatient mental health (43%), and primary health care (29%). Traumas frequently reported by their patients were attributed to recent death of a close relative or friend (62.3%), domestic violence (41....
ABSTRACT
Research Interests: Statistics and Cumulant
Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the state of undergraduate business statistics education in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and assess its alignment with the best practices in equipping business graduates with... more
Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the state of undergraduate business statistics education in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and assess its alignment with the best practices in equipping business graduates with the knowledge and skills demanded by the labor market. Design/methodology/approach A survey of 108 instructors from 80 business schools in 17 MENA countries was conducted to gauge information on the delivery of business statistics courses. The survey results were benchmarked to a proposed framework for best practices in business statistics education. Findings The gap analysis identified deficiencies in the delivery of business statistics education in the region as compared to international best practices. This study revealed a need to revise statistics education as part of a comprehensive reform of business education with the aim to meet international quality standards in business education. Research limitations/implications The study relied on the ...
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Obesity is currently a rapidly growing global problem of epidemic proportions and is especially prevalent in economically developed countries such as the United Arab Emirates. Obese individuals are increasingly considering bariatric... more
Obesity is currently a rapidly growing global problem of epidemic proportions and is especially prevalent in economically developed countries such as the United Arab Emirates. Obese individuals are increasingly considering bariatric surgery as their preferred means of choice for the reduction of excess body fat. This study explored the psychological characteristics that may potentially complicate the surgical management of obesity. This was a cross-sectional study of Emirati patients attending a bariatric clinic at Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, between December 2010 and February 2012. Participants were assessed using standard clinical psychiatric interviews. Also used were screening instruments such as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI), and Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scale (MBSRQ-AS). A total of 105 patients, 70% of whom were female, participated i...
To study the prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) symptom patterns among women in the United Arab Emirates and to measure the debilitating nature of PMDD symptoms and sociodemographic correlates. This cross-sectional... more
To study the prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) symptom patterns among women in the United Arab Emirates and to measure the debilitating nature of PMDD symptoms and sociodemographic correlates. This cross-sectional sample study used the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus (MINI-Plus) and Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) to screen for presence and severity of PMDD symptoms in Arab women attending ambulatory health services in Alain city, Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for routine health care between May 2005 and September 2005. The study participants include 508 women (76% Emiratis, 15% Omanis, and 8% other Arabs) of childbearing age. In total, 94 women (18.6%) met MINI-Plus criteria for PMDD; of these, 21 (4.1%) met PSST criteria for severe symptoms, 29 (5.7%) for moderate symptoms, and 44 (8.7%) for mild or less symptoms. One woman (0.2%) with severe symptoms and 12 women (2.4%) with moderate symptoms had negative MINI-Plus s...
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Research Interests: Obesity, Biomarkers, Inflammation, Adolescent, Multidisciplinary, and 15 moreUnited Arab Emirates, Humans, Child, Female, Male, Young Adult, Vascular endothelium, PLoS one, C reactive protein, Adiponectin, Adult, Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Interleukin, and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1
Available evidence from the literature suggests that the prevalence of autistic disorder may be on the rise world wide, but no prevalence studies have been carried out till date in the Arabian Gulf region. A representative random sample... more
Available evidence from the literature suggests that the prevalence of autistic disorder may be on the rise world wide, but no prevalence studies have been carried out till date in the Arabian Gulf region. A representative random sample of 694 three-year-old United Arab Emirates ...
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ABSTRACT We consider the sequential procedures developed by H. Robbins and D. O. Siegmund [J. Am. Stat. Assoc. 69, 132-139 (1974; Zbl 0296.62072)], T. A. Louis [Biometrika 62, 359-369 (1975; Zbl 0321.62024)], and T. Zoubeidi [J. Statist.... more
ABSTRACT We consider the sequential procedures developed by H. Robbins and D. O. Siegmund [J. Am. Stat. Assoc. 69, 132-139 (1974; Zbl 0296.62072)], T. A. Louis [Biometrika 62, 359-369 (1975; Zbl 0321.62024)], and T. Zoubeidi [J. Statist. Plann. Inference 31, No. 3, 295-310 (1992; Zbl 0754.62062)] for comparing the means of two treatments. We let the procedures have equal power functions and compare their Bayes and minimax risks using the invariance property of their power functions. For each of several formulations of the problem we determine the most relatively efficient procedure and compute its expected total sample size.
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Food allergy is common in children, and its occurrence is strongly associated with other allergies including anaphylaxis. Both genetic (e.g., CD14, STAT6, IL-10, SPINK5, and FOXP3 genes) and environmental (e.g., early exposure to highly... more
Food allergy is common in children, and its occurrence is strongly associated with other allergies including anaphylaxis. Both genetic (e.g., CD14, STAT6, IL-10, SPINK5, and FOXP3 genes) and environmental (e.g., early exposure to highly allergic food) factors appear to contribute to food allergy. Cross-sectional study involved children in public primary schools in Al-Ain city (United Arab Emirates). 660 students from the chosen classes were provided with 35 questions to be answered by their parents with a response rate 60.2%. The objective of the study was to determine predictors for food allergy in children. Significant associations were found between childhood food allergy and a history of personal allergy (atopic dermatitis, asthma or allergic rhino-conjunctivitis) or immediate family members with food allergy or other allergic diseases. The best predictors for childhood food allergy were a personal history of asthma (p < 0.001), a personal history of atopic dermatitis (p <...
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Pneumonia is a common respiratory disease, which has a mortality rate of approximately 14% worldwide. The management of pneumonia is based on the patient and microbiological profile existing in the community. There is a paucity of data... more
Pneumonia is a common respiratory disease, which has a mortality rate of approximately 14% worldwide. The management of pneumonia is based on the patient and microbiological profile existing in the community. There is a paucity of data regarding patient demographics and the microbiological profile for pneumonia in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We conducted a retrospective analysis of in-patients with pneumonia in the UAE. Epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data was collected from patients over the age of 16 years admitted to a single university hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia between the years 1997 and 2002. Patients were categorised as having community acquired (CAP) or hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP). Among the 361 patients, 186 were females and 175 males. The mean age (+/- SEM) of the males was 59 +/- 1.6 years and of the females, 56.9 +/- 1.5 years. The annual hospital admission rate for pneumonia increased from 410 per million population in 1997 to 760 in ...
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Clinical and public health research depends on factors including national systems, socio-cultural influences, and access to organisations and individuals. As a 'new' country, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has yet to develop... more
Clinical and public health research depends on factors including national systems, socio-cultural influences, and access to organisations and individuals. As a 'new' country, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has yet to develop strong support for population research. However, there is interest in research. The challenges for quantitative and qualitative research include the varied composition and mobility of the UAE population, with limited health records and disease registries. Long-term follow-up of patients, and tracing foreign workers who may only be in the UAE for a few years, are two major obstacles for longitudinal studies. There can also be a reluctance shown by parts of the population to participate in studies, especially those that require responding to what is perceived as sensitive questions. Successful execution of population research in the UAE requires an understanding of socio-cultural aspects of the study population, and good communication between researchers a...
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ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop customer satisfaction indices for the services provided by inspectors in certain departments of Al-Ain Municipality, the United Arab Emirates. Design/methodology/approach – The... more
ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop customer satisfaction indices for the services provided by inspectors in certain departments of Al-Ain Municipality, the United Arab Emirates. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology is based on customer satisfaction models with SERVQUAL survey input to produce indices of satisfaction and the drivers and outcomes of satisfaction. The survey data were collected via a stratified random sample of the customers who visited Al-Ain Municipality Customer Service Center (AMCSC) in spring 2008. Structural equation models were fitted to the data and goodness-of-fit was assessed. Findings – The customer satisfaction indices and scores of customers’ trust were in the mid-eighties, indicating high levels of satisfaction and client trust. Research limitations/implications – The limitations of the current study include the small sample size and the use of one indicator of the latent variable trust. Further research may focus more on prioritizing future efforts, improving quality, and performing cross-institutional benchmarking. Practical implications – Opportunities for quality improvements were identified and some recommendations were provided. Originality/value – Although the results lead to the conclusion that high levels of satisfaction and client trust were attained, there is a room for improvement. The AMCSC has to continuously improve the quality of its services in order to realize its mission.