Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Perceived Benefits of Interventional Structured Infection Prevention and Control Training Module Introduced in the Undergraduate Medical Curricula.

Introduction: Assessing and improving infection prevention and control (IPC) knowledge and practicing skills among medical students who are the future medical practitioners is crucial for reducing the burden of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). In this study, we assessed the IPC knowledge of undergraduate clinical-year medical students before and after interventional IPC modular training and evaluated the effectiveness and students' perception on structured modular IPC training presented to them.

Methods: This cross-sectional interventional study was conducted on single medical cohort comprising of 145 final-year undergraduate medical students of the academic year 2022-23 at COMHS.

Perception and Usage of Point of Care Devices: A Cross-sectional Study Targeting Residents and Trainers in Oman.

Objectives: The use of mobile technologies and handheld computers by physicians has increased worldwide. However, there are limited studies globally regarding training physicians on the use of such devices in clinical practice. In addition, no studies have been conducted previously in Oman addressing this issue among postgraduate medical trainees and trainers.

Opportunities and barriers to enhance research capacity and outputs among academic family physicians in the Arab world.

Aim: To explore the current status of academic primary care research in Arab countries and investigate the barriers to its adequate implementation.

Background: Research is an essential building block that ensures the advancement of the discipline of Family Medicine (FM). FM research thus ought to be contributed to by all family physicians; nevertheless, its development is being hindered worldwide by several challenges.

Underlying Factors Behind the Low Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Oman: Sociocultural perspective.

Epidemiological surveys from various countries indicate an increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), leading researchers to debate whether there are now 'more affected' or 'more detected'. The epidemiology of ASD in developing countries, such as Oman, has generally indicated a lower prevalence compared to developed countries in the West. In Oman, the prevalence is low; however, this article highlights some of the factors that could contribute to the appearance of a low ASD rate: cross-cultural variations in the presentation of distress; a lack of reliable biological markers for diagnosing ASD, and a lack of health services for children with ASD, thus limiting the number of participants in epidemiological surveys.

Quality of diabetes care at outpatient clinic, sultan qaboos university hospital.

Objective: To assess the clinical care of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) patients at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), a countrywide tertiary referral center in Muscat, Oman. .

Methods: We performed a retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study using a total of 673 Omani T2D patients from the Diabetes and Family Medicine Clinics at SQUH.

Association of gene variants with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes among Omanis.

Aim: To investigate the association of 10 known common gene variants with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) among Omanis.

Methods: Using case-control design, a total of 992 diabetic patients and 294 normoglycemic Omani Arabs were genotyped, by an allelic discrimination assay-by-design TaqMan method on fast real time polymerase chain reaction system, for the following gene variants: KCNJ11 (rs5219), TCF7L2 (rs7903146), CDKAL1 (rs10946398), CDKN2A/B (rs10811661), FTO (rs9939609 and rs8050136), IGF2BP2 (rs4402960), SLC30A8 (rs13266634) CAPN10 (rs3792267) and HHEX (rs1111875). T2D patients were recruited from the Diabetes Clinic (n = 243) and inpatients (n = 749) at Sultan Qaboos Univesity Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman.

Quality of diabetes care in primary health centres in north Al-batinah of oman.

Objective: To assess the quality of diabetic care provided in primary health care settings in Oman.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of randomly selected 500 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) attending 6 primary care diabetic clinics in the north Al-Batinah region of Oman from January to December 2010. Nine standards on the quality of diabetes care were audited.

Impaired Fasting Glucose in Omani Adults with no Family History of Type 2 Diabetes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) among Omani adults with no family history (FH) of diabetes and to investigate the factors behind the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D), while excluding a FH of diabetes.

Methods: A total of 1,182 Omani adults, aged ≥40 years, visited the Family Medicine & Community Health Clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, on days other than the Diabetes Clinic days, from July 2010 to July 2011. The subjects were interviewed and asked if they had T2D or a FH of T2D.

Familial Clustering of Type 2 Diabetes among Omanis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to screen Omani individuals for the familial aggregation of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: A random cohort of 1182 Omani individuals visiting the Family Medicine Clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman, for regular medical checkup, aged ≥40 years, were sampled. Patients were categorized into three groups: (1) individuals who claim not to have diabetes and had no family history of diabetes; (2) individuals who claim not to have diabetes but had family history of diabetes; (3) individuals with diabetes.

A rare thyroid hormone receptor beta (THRβ) gene mutation in a 15-year-old girl with thyroid hormone resistance syndrome: a case report.

Introduction: Resistance to thyroid hormone is a rare syndrome, where although the level of thyroid hormone is elevated, the level of thyroid stimulating hormone is not suppressed. The patient in our case report is, to the best of our knowledge, the first with this syndrome identified in Oman.

Case Presentation: In one Omani family, a 15-year-old girl of Arabian origin was pre-diagnosed with resistance to thyroid hormone.

Reasons for Consultation among Patients attending Primary Healthcare Centres in Oman.

Objectives: Pathways to care or care-seeking, which translate into healthcare utilisation, have been investigated in many parts of the world, but there is a dearth of studies in the Arabian Gulf. The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of attendees at primary healthcare centres in northern Oman and their reasons for visiting.

Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 676 participants attending 12 primary healthcare centres between June and July 2006.

Impact of nutrition on serum levels of docosahexaenoic acid among Omani children with autism.

Objectives: Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder of early childhood. Dietary supplementation of the ω-3 fatty acid (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) during prenatal and postnatal life is considered a protective dietary intervention strategy to minimize the risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To our knowledge, no relevant studies have been conducted in the Middle East investigating the status of DHA among children with autism during early childhood.

Diabetes self-management and education of people living with diabetes: a survey in primary health care in Muscat Oman.

Background: Although the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Oman is high and rising, information on how people were self-managing their disease has been lacking. The objective of this study was therefore to assess diabetes self-management and education (DSME) among people living with type 2 diabetes in Oman.

Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted in public primary health care centres in Muscat.

Pilot study on the prevalence of abuse and mistreatment during clinical internship: a cross-sectional study among first year residents in Oman.

Objective: To evaluate perceptions of being mistreated during internship among first year Oman Medical Specialty Board residents.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: Training centres for Oman Medical Specialty Board.

Doctors' and nurses' views on patient care for type 2 diabetes: an interview study in primary health care in Oman.

Aim: This study aimed at exploring the experiences of primary health-care providers of their encounters with patients with type 2 diabetes, and their preferences and suggestions for future improvement of diabetes care.

Background: Barriers to good diabetes care could be related to problems from health-care providers' side, patients' side or the health-care system of the country. Treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes has become a huge challenge in Oman, where the prevalence has increased to high levels.

Levels of heavy metals and essential minerals in hair samples of children with autism in Oman: a case-control study.

Toxic levels of heavy metals and low levels of essential minerals have been suggested to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study documents the levels of heavy metals and essential minerals in hair samples of children with ASD in Muscat, the urbanized capital of Oman, Muscat. The study included 27 children with ASD and 27 matched non-ASD controls.

Effect of high parity on occurrence of some fetal growth indices: a cohort study.

The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to explore the potential causal relation between parity and fetal growth indices, including low birth weight (LBW), macrosomia, and prematurity. The study was nested on a community trial in a city in Oman. The study analyzed 1939 pregnancies among 479 participants.

Emerging Burden of Frail Young and Elderly Persons in Oman: For whom the bell tolls?

Recent improvements in health and an increased standard of living in Oman have led to a reduction in environment-related and infectious diseases. Now the country is experiencing an epidemiological transition characterised by a baby boom, youth bulge and increasing longevity. Common wisdom would therefore suggest that Omanis will suffer less ill health.

Effect of suboptimal breast-feeding on occurrence of autism: a case-control study.

Objective: To evaluate the association between suboptimal breast-feeding practices and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

Methods: A case-control study was conducted in 102 ASD cases and 102 matched healthy controls.

Results: Based on adjusted odds ratios from logistic regression models, ASD was found to be associated with the late initiation of breast-feeding (odds ratio 1.

Clinical characteristics of influenza A H1N1 versus other influenza-like illnesses amongst outpatients attending a university health center in Oman.

Objectives: To identify the clinical characteristics of outpatients with flu-like illnesses stratified by influenza A H1N1 status.

Methods: The study was conducted at the H1N1 staff clinic of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman. The population consisted of university students and university/hospital staff and their family members.

Increased markers of oxidative stress in autistic children of the Sultanate of Oman.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of early childhood, and an enumeration about its etiology and consequences is still limited. Oxidative stress-induced mechanisms are believed to be the major cause for ASD. In this study 19 autistic and 19 age-matched normal Omani children were recruited to analyze their degree of redox status and a prewritten consent was obtained.

Menopausal symptoms among healthy, middle-aged Omani women as assessed with the Menopause Rating Scale.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and severity of climacteric symptoms and associated risk factors among a cohort of healthy, middle-aged Omani women.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 472 healthy Omani women between 40 and 60 years old from the representative regions of Omani society were surveyed using the Menopause Rating Scale. The scores obtained were plotted against their demographic data and menopausal stage.

The Diagnostic Yield of Thyroid Function Tests and their Cost-effectiveness in the Student Clinic at Sultan Qaboos University: Retrospective chart review.

Objectives: To assess the significance of requesting thyroid function tests (TFT) and their cost effectiveness for specific and non-specific symptoms of thyroid disease in a specific population in Oman.

Methods: A retrospective chart review study was conducted in the student clinic at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman in the year 2007-2008. It included all patients (N = 319) of both sexes for whom TFTs were requested.

Macular function in prediabetic and diabetic Omani adults: a microperimetric evaluation.

Purpose: To assess if functional visual loss preceded structural changes or vice versa in diabetic patients by evaluating the macular function in prediabetic patients and in diabetic patients with varying grades of retinopathy and comparing the findings with those of age-matched healthy controls by means of microperimetry.

Methods: Retinal sensitivity, fixation pattern, and test response were evaluated in 25 prediabetic patients (50 eyes), 25 diabetic patients (50 eyes), and 25 age-related normal nondiabetic patients (50 eyes) using Nidek microperimetry. The diabetic patients were classified into 3 groups on the basis of clinical and fundus fluorescein angiographic evidence: group 1 = no clinical or angiographic evidence of retinopathy, group 2 = background retinopathy only, group 3 = with macular edema.

Brief report: Prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders in the Sultanate of Oman.

Prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in Oman is unknown. We conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of ASD among 0-14 year old children. Diagnoses were made as per DSM-IV-TR criteria and supplemented with information collected with the standard Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) questionnaire.