Importance of Tuberculosis Screening of Resident Visa Applicants in Low TB Incidence Settings: Experience from Oman.

Introduction: For Oman, a country targeting tuberculosis (TB) elimination, TB among expatriates is a major challenge. Thus, screening for active TB using chest X-ray was made mandatory for expatriates' residency renewals.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of bacteriologically confirmed TB and assess impact of chest X-ray based TB screening among expatriates in Muscat Governorate.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population of Oman: results from four successive nationwide sero-epidemiological surveys.

Objective: To assess the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Oman and longitudinal changes in antibody levels over time within the first 11 months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted as a four-cycle serosurvey using a multi-stage stratified sampling method from July to November 2020. A questionnaire was used and included demographics, history of acute respiratory infection and list of symptoms, COVID-19 contact, previous diagnosis or admission, travel history and risk factors.

Control of the 2018-2019 dengue fever outbreak in Oman: A country previously without local transmission.

Background: In December 2018, routine surveillance identified an autochthonous outbreak of dengue fever in Muscat Governorate, Oman, a region previously free of dengue fever.

Methods: Routine surveillance confirmed locally acquired cases in the second week of December, leading to a rapid public health response including case management guidance and epidemiological investigations. The main activity was the vector survey using systematic sampling to assess extent of previously unreported Aedes aegypti presence followed by a campaign aimed to eliminate breeding sites of A.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of travel medicine among primary care physicians in Oman: the need for intervention.

Background: Oman is witnessing an increase in outbound and inbound travelers.

Aims: This study was undertaken to assess the current knowledge, attitude, and practice of travel medicine among primary care physicians (PCPs) working in the Muscat Governorate.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 108 primary healthcare physicians in primary healthcare institutions in the Muscat Governorate in December 2014 using a self-administered questionnaire.

Epidemiology of Meningitis in Oman-Implications for Future Surveillance.

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the epidemiology of meningitis cases admitted to hospitals in Oman and to identify any changing microbial patterns from the introduction of the new vaccines.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all cases of meningitis reported through a national surveillance system. Meningitis is a notifiable disease.

The Effect of Obesity on Pregnancy and its Outcome in the Population of Oman, Seeb Province.

Objectives: The World Health Organization estimated that in 2011 worldwide 1.6 billion adults were overweight, and 400 million were obese. The obesity epidemic is a documented phenomenon and Oman is no exception.

The epidemiology and outcomes of infective endocarditis in a tertiary care hospital in Oman.

Objectives: We undertook this study to describe the epidemiological and clinical features of infective endocarditis (IE) and to study the complications and management of IE in a tertiary care hospital in Oman.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of 58 adult patients (>13 years of age) admitted to the Royal Hospital with IE from June 2006 to June 2011.

Results: Of the 58 patients, 40 (69%) were males, and 18 (31%) were females (ratio 2.

Management of Infants and Children who are Contacts of Contagious Tuberculous Patients.

Contact investigation and management form the key for tuberculosis (TB) control in countries with a low tuberculosis incidence. Oman, with a low TB incidence, has implemented contact investigation and management as one important strategy to control TB. However there is a lack of clear guidelines for the investigation and treatment of contacts, especially with regard to children who are contacts of TB cases.

A hospital acquired outbreak of Bacillus cereus gastroenteritis, Oman.

Objectives: To investigate the course of a hospital acquired outbreak of Bacillus cereus gastroenteritis outbreak, and the interventions that were taken to prevent such an outbreak from occurring again.

Methods: On May 3-5 2008, 58 cases of gastroenteritis were reported among patients and their attendants in a referral hospital in Oman. All affected had eaten meals served by the hospital kitchen the previous day.

Fractional doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine in Oman.

Background: We conducted a clinical trial of fractional doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine administered to infants in Oman, in order to evaluate strategies for making the vaccine affordable for use in developing countries.

Methods: We compared fractional doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (0.1 ml, representing one fifth of a full dose) given intradermally with the use of a needle-free jet injector device, with full doses of vaccine given intramuscularly, with respect to immunogenicity and reactogenicity.

Low birth weight as a determinant of protein energy malnutrition in "0-5 years" Omani children of South Batinah region, Oman.

Objective: To determine the risk factors of protein energy malnourishment (PEM) among 0-5 year old children in South Batinah region, Oman.

Methods: at are maintained at the primary health institutions of the study area. This case control study was conducted between March 2003 and May 2003.