Microscale Audits of the Built Environment and the Challenges for Pedestrians in 4 Residential Areas in Oman.

Background: Ensuring a livable and healthy built environment that addresses challenges of climate change and the pandemic of noncommunicable diseases should include creating an environment support of physical activity. This study aims to build local evidence on improving the residential areas by assessing the built environment of 4 residential areas in Oman.

Methods: This study uses the Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes-Mini, a 15-item tool with 4 subscales (destinations and land use, aesthetics, pedestrian infrastructure, and crossings/traffic safety), to conduct environmental audits of 4 areas in Barka and Nizwa, Oman.

Assessing COVID-19 Vaccine's Acceptability Amongst Health Care Workers in Oman: A cross-sectional study.

Background: COVID-19 vaccines are considered to be a vital tool in controlling the pandemic. Hesitation with COVID-19 immunization has been reported worldwide. The acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine among health care workers (HCWs) is an important step in determining the success of any new vaccination program.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Acceptability of COVID-19 Vaccine in Oman: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine among the general population of Oman, on the eve of the rollout of vaccination program in the country.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured and validated online questionnaire. Adults residing in Oman were invited to participate in the study between 22 and 24 December 2020.

A Critique of National Physical Activity Policy in Oman Using 3 Established Policy Frameworks.

Background: This paper aimed to assess the development process, content, and early implementation of Oman's national physical activity plan of action to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

Methods: Data were extracted from 4 documents: national noncommunicable diseases policy, physical activity plan of action, and 2 World Health Organization Mission Reports. Three policy frameworks and approaches (physical activity content analysis grid, health-enhancing physical activity policy audit tool, and policy cube approach for diet-related noncommunicable diseases) were used.

Move for health: addressing the built environment and physical activity in Oman.

Rapid modernization in Oman has resulted in a massive population shift to the cities, urban sprawl, and a car-dependent culture associated with lowered levels of physical activity and elevated rates of noncommunicable diseases. Since the built environment is a major contributing factor to physical inactivity in the Region, this policy brief identifies key steps for creating an urban environment more supportive of physical activity. Such transformations would also have wide-ranging health, social and economic benefits.

Physical activity and the built environment: perceptions of policy-makers in Oman.

The prevalence of physical activity is low in the Sultanate of Oman. The built environment is a key barrier to physical activity in the region. Our aim is to examine urban planners' perceptions of the relevance and feasibility of the proposed urban planning and design interventions in the draft WHO technical package on physical activity.