Al Buraimi Research Articles

The impact of using the Power Point program on the achievement of the 10th grade students in Physical Education in Al Buraimi Governorate, Sultanate of Oman: أثر استخدام برنامج العروض التقديميّة (Power point) على تحصيل طلاب الصّف العاشر في التّربيّة البدنيّة بمحافظة البريمي بسلطنة عمان

The aim of this research is to identify the impact of using presentations on the educational attainment of tenth graders in physical education. To achieve this purpose the study focused on the experimental approach, and the two groups were chosen: the experimental and the controlled with a before and an after test. The researcher has prepared a collective test alongside with physical education tests that are measured by observation card. The experiment was applied on a random group of tenth graders in one of ALBuraimi schools, also, collective test and the observation card were applied on a group of (40) students divided randomly into two equal groups, one was the controlled group; that studied in the traditional way, and the other one was the experimental group which used the presentations. The research tools were applied before on both groups in the first semester of the year 2016/2017. At the end of the experiment the research tools were applied afterwards on both groups. The results indicated the statistically significant differences at the level of (0.05), between the average of students marks of the two groups the experimental and the controlled in applying the afterwards for the collective test, where the experimental group got an average of (25.29), on the other side the controlled group that got an average of (19.18). Also, the performance test for the physical education which is measured by the observation card and the experimental group got an average of (7.37), on the other side, the controlled group got an average of (4.55), and the difference in the collective test and the observation card is clear and in favor of the experimental group. In the view of these results there were some suggestions and recommendation that been suggested.

Seroprevalence of Newcastle disease virus in backyard chickens and herd-level risk factors of Newcastle disease in poultry farms in Oman

Newcastle disease (ND) is an endemic disease in Oman’s poultry industry and impacts negatively on food security. However, little is known regarding the potential risks of the disease in backyard poultry. The objectives of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in backyard chickens and the herd-level risk factors in Oman. In total, 1383 serum samples were collected from chickens in 139 flocks from nine governorates. Information on associated risk factors was assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The samples were tested using commercial indirect ELISA kits.A logistic regression model was applied to assess the associated risk factors. The bird and flock-level NDV seroprevalence was 33.8% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 12.8–38.6%) and 57.1% (95% CI: 35.7–71.4%), respectively. The highest seroprevalence of antibody to NDV at bird and flock levels was recorded in North Ash Sharqiyah (38.6%) and Al Buraimi (71.4%), respectively. Also, the lowest seroprevalence at bird and flock levels was recorded in Musandam (12.8%) and South Al Batinah (35.7%), respectively. A significant difference in NDV seroprevalence at flock and bird levels was only recorded in Ad Dakhliyah. Factors associated with higher seroprevalence to NDV included absence of a veterinarian in the farm (OR = 5.3; 95% CI: 2.1, 11.7), usage of dead ND vaccine (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2–4.2), employment of non-permanent staff (OR = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.5, 10.6) and free entry of visitors (OR = 6.2; 95% CI: 2.0, 20.3). In conclusion, the results of this study revealed a high exposure of backyard chickens to NDV and the identified risk factors could be vital in the prevention and control of the disease in Oman.

The Impact of Marketing Mix on the Competitive Advantage of the SME Sector in the Al Buraimi Governorate in Oman

This study aims to highlight the role of marketing mix (product, price, place, and promotion) on achieving the competitive advantage in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in the Al Buraimi Governorate in Oman. This article states the significance of competitive advantage in achieving marketing goals and gaining the satisfaction of customers by using marketing mix concept. A descriptive analysis approach is used to analyze the collected data regarding the level of impact of the marketing mix (product, price, place, and promotion), on the competitive advantage of the SME sector in Al Buraimi. The data have been collected through the use of a questionnaire that is distributed to SMEs in the Al Buraimi region according to the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI). There were 100 SMEs selected randomly; however, only 75 questionnaires were processed due to missing data. According to the data analysis, the results show that all of marketing mix elements (product, price, place, and promotion) have a significant impact on achieving competitive advantage in the case of Al Buraimi’s SMEs ( p value for all marketing mix elements is less than α = .05). The most effective element when it comes to achieving competitive advantage is price. The SME sector in Al Buraimi should develop its product’s quality, distribution channels, and promotion policies to face the local and international competitors. The marketing mix and competitive advantage represent a relatively new orientation in Al Buraimi’s SME sector.

Students Acceptance of Google Classroom: An Exploratory Study using PLS-SEM Approach

Google classroom can work in unidirectional process as it can serve the teachers’ strategies and styles on one hand and students’ perception, understanding, and effective participation in different classroom skills on the other hand. The ac-ceptance of Google classroom is affected by different factors. Some of them are still not clearly specified and discussed in previous research; therefore, they need further investigation. Based on the previous assumption, this study is an attempt to examine the factors that affect the students’ acceptance of Google classroom at Al Buraimi University College (BUC) in Oman. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was adopted to formulate the hypotheses of the current study. The data was collected through an online questionnaire with 337 respondents. The Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) approach was used to assess both the measurement and structural models. The results of the study prove that both the perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) positively influence the behavioral intention, which in turn influence the actual usage of Google classrooms. This study helps the decision makers of the higher educational institutions to have a better understanding of the effectiveness of us-ing Google classroom by their students. It is assumed that it helps in measuring the level of students’ acceptance to the previously mentioned technology.

The impact of integrated education in providing presentation skills for the students of the tenth grade in the province of Buraimi in the Sultanate of Oman: أثر التعليم التكاملي في إكساب مهارات العروض التقديمية لطلاب الصف العاشر الأساسي بمحافظة البريمي بسلطنة عمان

The objective of this research is to identify the impact of the use of integrated education in ACCEP and to develop presentation skills among students in the tenth grade. To achieve this goal, the research was based on the empirical approach, in which a design was chosen for the two groups: experimental and pre-post-test. The researcher has prepared a collection test, in addition to testing the skills measured by the observation card. The experiment was applied to a random sample of 10th grade students in a school in Al Buraimi governorate. The test was also carried out on a sample of (40) students divided into two equal groups randomly, one was an observer; the other was studied in the traditional way. The search tools were applied in advance to the two research groups during the first semester of the academic year 2016/2017. At the end of the experiment, the same search tools were applied to both groups. The results of the study indicated that there were statistically significant differences at (0.05) between the average scores of the experimental and control groups in the post-application of the test. The experimental group obtained an average of (25.29) against the control that obtained the average (19.81) Test of the skill performance measured by the observation card The pilot obtained an average of (7.37) against the average control (4.55). The difference in the achievement test and the observation card for the experimental group is shown. In the light of these findings, some recommendations and proposals were made.

Degree of Applying Quality Standards in Post Basic-Education Schools from the Point of View of Supervisors and Senior Teachers in Sultanate of Oman

The study aimed at exploring the degree of the application of quality standards in post basic-education schools from the perceptive of supervisors and senior teachers in the Sultanate of Oman. The study sample consisted of 129 supervisors and 137 senior teachers selected from six educational governorates: Muscat, Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah North, Sharqiyah North, Al Buraimi, and Dhofar during academic year 2015/2016. The data was collected by a questionnaire consisting of 53 statements, categorized in seven areas of quality standards: planning; school curriculum; teaching and learning; learners affairs; human and financial resources; and community. The results showed that quality standards were applied to a large extent in the areas of human resources, learner's affairs and planning, and to a medium degree in the other remaining areas. Findings also revealed statistically significant differences in applying the standards due to gender in favor of females in all areas. Moreover, there were statistically significant differences in the degree of applying quality standards in schools in favor of senior teachers in all areas except curriculum. Based on the results, a number of recommendations were provided.

Degree of Applying Quality Standards in Post Basic-Education Schools from the Point of View of Supervisors and Senior Teachers in Sultanate of Oman

The study aimed at exploring the degree of the application of quality standards in post basic-education schools from the perceptive of supervisors and senior teachers in the Sultanate of Oman. The study sample consisted of 129 supervisors and 137 senior teachers selected from six educational governorates: Muscat, Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah North, Sharqiyah North, Al Buraimi, and Dhofar during academic year 2015/2016. The data was collected by a questionnaire consisting of 53 statements, categorized in seven areas of quality standards: planning; school curriculum; teaching and learning; learners affairs; human and financial resources; and community. The results showed that quality standards were applied to a large extent in the areas of human resources, learner's affairs and planning, and to a medium degree in the other remaining areas. Findings also revealed statistically significant differences in applying the standards due to gender in favor of females in all areas. Moreover, there were statistically significant differences in the degree of applying quality standards in schools in favor of senior teachers in all areas except curriculum. Based on the results, a number of recommendations were provided.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Biomedical Waste Management among Health Care Personnel in a Secondary Care Hospital of Al Buraimi Governorate, Sultanate of Oman

BACKGROUND: Due to existence of highly infectious materials, the biomedical waste can be a probable source for transmission of diseases as well as occupational hazards among health care workers if not adequately managed. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of biomedical waste management among health care personnel in a secondary hospital of Al Buraimi Governorate, Sultanate Oman.METHODOLOGY: A Cross sectional descriptive self-administered questionnaire based study was conducted among 207 subjects from 30th September 2015 to 30th March 2016 in Al-Buraimi hospital, Oman. Stratified random sampling comprised of four strata (100 nurses, 65 doctors, 22 housekeeping staff and 20 laboratory technicians).Chi-Square test was applied using SPSS version 21 with significance level ≤ 0.05. Confidentiality was maintained with ethical approval from research committee and informed formal consent was taken from the participants. RESULT: Overall response rate was 125 (60.3%) from total 207, mean age 36.14±8.9 and age ranges from 20 to 58 years with mean age (doctors 42.5, nurses 29.8, laboratory technician 29.2 and housekeeping staff 36). Female proportion of 82 (65.6%) was higher as compare to males 43 (34.4%). The study was analyzed on the basis of “satisfactory” and “unsatisfactory” scores using “cut-off point” tools. Nurses had better satisfactory knowledge (90.9%), attitude (94.5%) and practice (80%) scores as compare to other participants. The overall “satisfactory” knowledge, attitude and practice scores were found to be statistically insignificant (P=0.100, P=0.346, P=0.364 respectively). No significant relationship established between dichotomized variables of knowledge and practice (P = 0.264) as well as attitude and practice (P = 0.147).CONCLUSION: The “satisfactory” scores of knowledge, attitude and practice were found to be higher among nurses as compared to other participants, which may be due to intensive patient care and more involvement in biomedical waste management as well as greater responsibility allocated by hospital administration.

Antibiotics Resistance Profile of Uropathogens Isolated from Al Buraimi Hospital, Sultanate of Oman

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) is a worldwide problem of all age groups and gender. Emerging resistance to antibiotics making difficult in the choice of treatment and management of UTI cases. This study sought to determine the gender wise prevalence of common uropathogens from UTI patients and the resistance profile of uropathogens against commonly used antibiotics.METHOD: This cross sectional study was conducted in Al Buraimi Hospital, Sultanate of Oman. The data of UTI patients visited hospital was analyzed for the isolation of uropathogens from positive urine culture and antimicrobial sensitivity test was performed by disc diffusion method. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data using SPSS 21.0 and Microsoft Excel.RESULT: Total 4,480 urine samples were analyzed for isolation of uropathogens and significant bacteriuria were found in total 846 (19%) samples. Overall 728 (86%) Gram-negative and 118 (14%) Gram positive uropathogens were isolated from total (846) positive urine samples and the highest prevalence of isolates was observed in females 542(74%) than males 186(26%). E.coli was found the highest prevalent (50.3%) uropathogens followed by Klebsiella species (13.9%), Pseudomonas (6.3%), A.baumannii (4%), E.Cloacae (2.2%), Proteus species (1.4%), Citrobacter species (1.2%), M. morgani (0.3%) and Serratia species (0.1%). The highest (34.3%) antibiotic resistance was noticed in E.coli against Nalidixic Acid, however, susceptiblity was found against Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime, Ciprofloxacin and Nitrofurantoin among female and males.CONCLUSION: Overall, β- lactam antibiotics, Cephalosporins, Fluroquiolones, Macrobids would be the first line of drugs and the most effective for the empirical treatment of Gram-negative and Gram-positive uropathogens; however Aminoglycosides, Carbapenems and Polymyxin could be used for the treatment of UTI infections as the second choice.

Students' Attitudes Towards the Use of Mobile Technologies in e-Evaluation

Mobile learning (M-learning) is a new wave in the era of educational technology that provides informal, personal, voluntary and situated learning opportunities for both learners and educators. Mobile-based assessment is one of the emerging technologies that attract many scholars to investigate its effectiveness due to the wide spectrum of its features like portability, interactivity, flexibility, and ubiquity. Based on the surveyed literature, we noticed that there is a lack of studying the students' attitudes towards the utilization of mobile technologies in the context of e-Evaluation. The present study attempts to investigate the students' attitudes towards the utilization of mobile technologies in the e-Evaluation system of instructors. The data was collected through a questionnaire survey from Al Buraimi University College (BUC) in Oman. The total number of participants is 354 students. Findings indicated that 99% of the students own a mobile phone or tablet. Moreover, results indicated a statistically significant difference among the students’ attitudes in terms of their gender where the differences were in favor of male students. In contrast, results revealed no statistically significant differences among the students’ attitudes in terms of their age, degree, and department. Furthermore, other implications and future work are also reported in the study.

فاعلية حقيبة تعليمية مبرمجة لتنمية مهارات معلمات التعليم الأساسي بسلطنة عمان على تصميم وإنتاج الدروس التفاعلية لمعلم الاحتياط من خلال بعض البرامج الإلكترونية

هدف هذا البحث إلى قياس فاعلية حقيبة تعليمية مبرمجة في تدريب المعلمات على تصميم وإعداد الدروس التفاعلية لمعلم الاحتياط من خلال هذه العينة من البرامج الالکترونية المجانية (presentation tube، screencast-o-matic، Active Presente، Webinaria)، وتصديرها بصيغ مختلفة حتى يسهل تحميلها ورفعها على موقع (Google groups) أو على مواقع ومجموعات خاصة بکل معلم ضمن شبکة الانترنت أو نسخها على أقراص مدمجة، وتجميعها ضمن حقيبة الکترونية تکون في متناول الطلبة ومعلم الاحتياط، ولتحقيق أهداف البحث قامت الباحثة بتصميم الحقيبة وتقديمها في عروض متقدمة من خلال الحاسوب، وتابعت أثرها على المجموعة التجريبية، وأعدت لذلک اختبار أدائي من نوع الاختيار من متعدد کأداة للبحث، واعتمدت الباحثة على المنهج التجريبي الذي يعتمد على القياسين القبلي والبعدي للمجموعة التجريبية (عينة البحث)، لقياس مدى تقدم العينة في المهارات الأساسية والتطبيقات اللازمة لإنتاج مادة تعليمية إلکترونيا، وتم تطبيق التجربة على عينة قصديه واحدة قوامها (42) معلمة في مرحلة التعليم الأساسي، وفي مختلف التخصصات ومن الذين لديهم قدرة على التعامل مع الکمبيوتر من مدرسة حماسة، ومدرسة البريمي للتعليم الأساسي في محافظة البريمي بسلطنة عمان، وقد أظهرت النتائج وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية بين متوسطات درجات أفراد العينة في القياسين القبلي والبعدي، وذلک على ابعاد الاختبار الخاص بإعداد الدروس التفاعلية الالکترونية والدرجة الکلية له لصالح القياس البعدي، وهذه النتيجة تؤکد نجاح الحقيبة التعليمية في تدريب المعلمات على إعداد الدروس التفاعلية من خلال البرامج الالکترونية الخاصة بالبحث الحالي. Abstract: The objective of this research is to measure the effectiveness of educational programmed modules to train teachers to design and prepare interactive lessons for the substitute teacher through a sample of free electronic programs ;( presentation tube, screencast-o-matic, Active Presente, Webinaria). These programs are then uploaded on Google groups, or private groups for each teacher on the Internet or copied onto CDS .The electronic bags are then collected and are ready to be used by the students and the substitute teacher. To achieve the objectives, the researcher designed the pags and presented them through the computer ,followed up the effect on the experimental group. The researcher created multiple exams which depend on the pre and post measurements of the experimental group .To test the progress of the experimental group on the basic skills and applications needed to produce electronically educational materials. A sample of (42) teachers in the primary school level of different majors with ability to deal with computer were chosen from Hamasa School and Al Buraimi School for primary Education in Al Buraimi Governorate in Sultanate of Oman. The results showed significant differences between The average score of the sample in the pre and post measurements, on the ability to prepare electronic interactive lessons. The overall score was in favor of the post measurements which in turn confirms the success of the educational bag in training teachers to prepare interactive lessons through electronic programs for the current search.

Academics' Awareness Towards Mobile Learning in Oman

Mobile Learning (M-Learning) witnessed a booming evolution contributed to the evolvement of learning within the higher educational settings. M-Learning enhances the collaboration between the educators and their students on anytime anywhere settings. Attitudes towards the utilization of M-Learning help the decision makers in building the required infrastructure. Our literature review indicated that there are very few studies that address the issue of educators’ awareness towards M-Learning which is a very significant factor for the success of smart education. In this study, a questionnaire survey has been administrated at Al Buraimi University College, Oman in order to examine the educators’ awareness and attitudes towards the utilization of M-Learning. Findings revealed that female instructors were more positive than males towards the utilization of M-Learning. Moreover, results revealed that academics who indicated that mobile technology is an effective tool in education were highly optimistic towards the utilization of M-Learning than those who were not. Nevertheless, results were not pointed any significant differences with regard to the academics’ perceptions towards the utilization of M-Learning in relation to age and academic qualifications factors, showing that M-learning can be embraced by all academics irrespective of the age and qualifications factors.

The Impact of Google Apps at Work: Higher Educational Perspective

Google Apps brought many opportunities to enhance the work performance in the higher educational settings. This study aims to investigate the impact of Google Apps at work from the perspective of the higher educational institutions. An online questionnaire survey has been prepared and distributed among the academic and administrative staff at Al Buraimi University College, Oman for data collection. The total number of participants was 34. Different statistical analyses were performed on the collected data. Results revealed that the administrative staffs were more positive toward using Google Apps than the academics in performing their work while 58.8 % of the Academics indicated that they are using Google Apps in processing their work. The results of this study indicate that Google Apps are highly perceived by both academic and administrative staffs. This is evidence that these Apps have a significant impact on performing the work in the higher educational settings. Limitations and future work have been addressed.

Operation Management: Empirical Case Study (Al Buraimi Medical Clinic—Private Clinic)

<p><em>This case is about a “walk in” clinic called Al Buraimi Medical Clinic (BMC) which treats non-acute illnesses. BMC’s philosophy states “first come, first served”. It serves about 15,000 citizens. This is the only medical center in the region that provides some of the advanced services including a world-class rehabilitation center, regional burn center, high-risk maternity program and trauma center. This case describes how a process could affect the effectiveness and efficiency of a service. It’s vital to understand how process works as it helps to ensure the competitiveness of the company. A process according to Chase, Jacobs and Aquilano (2006), process is any part of the company that turns inputs into outputs which is of a more value to the company than the original inputs. In this case, nurses, MD, specialized equipments combined with another input, the patient is transformed through proper treatment and medical care into a healthy patient. Therefore, the healthy patient is an outcome of the process.</em><em> </em></p>

Cystic hydatidosis in slaughtered goats from various municipal abattoirs in Oman.

A passive surveillance study was conducted from April 2012 to April 2013 to determine the incidence, the affect of age, sex and cyst location, fertility, and viability on the occurrence of cystic hydatidosis in slaughtered goats from six municipal abattoirs around Oman. Morphologic characterization of suspected visceral organs has shown that Echinococcos granulosus (E. granulosus) metacestodes were present in 9.2 % of the total samples (682). Incidence (per 10,000) varied from 1.4 to 1.5. There was a significant difference between abattoirs, with Salalah having the highest infection (63.2 %), followed by Nizwa (27.2 %), Al Buraimi (10.8 %), Bousher (7.2 %), and the lowest in Sohar (1.6 %). Infection was significantly higher in indigenous goats (22.1 %) compared with imported breeds (2.5 %) from Somalia. The visceral organs were found harboring one or more hydatid cysts. Greatest cyst infection was recorded in lungs (53.4 %), followed by heart (50 %), liver (6.2 %), and multiple organs (14 %). A significant difference was observed between females (25 %) and male goats (6 %). Furthermore, the fertility of the hydatid cysts was found higher in heart and lungs (100 %, 51.6 %) and the viability rate of protoscolices was high (64 %). The findings of this study demonstrated that cystic hydatidosis is common and widely distributed in local goats, and they might play an important role in the life cycle and transmission of this zoonosis in Oman.

English

This study examined the motivation effects of organizational commitment (OC) and organizational engagement (OE) on the relationship between human resource (HR) practices (motivation of staff, empowerment of staff, goal-setting motivations, safety motivations, environmental motivations) and resignation intention. The study covered almost 95% of Al Buraimi hospital’s foreign staff (325 people) (not including Omani staff) in Sultanate of Oman. Each completed survey was treated in a fair and confidential manner without mentioning the name or position of the staff members. We made sure that every staff member participating knew about these procedures of collecting and gathering data. It was found that all the variables used to measure HR practices in terms of motivation factors have significant effects on OC and OE. However, multiple regression analyses indicated that career management and job control have a significant influence on resignation intention. OC and OE have major effects on the relationship between HR regarding motivation issue and resignation intention.   Key words: Sultanate of Oman, resignation, motivation, public health sector, human resources, hospital, organizational commitment.

Prevalence and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy among Omani diabetics

AIMSTo study the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in a population of patients attending a diabetic clinic and to evaluate the medical risk factors underlying its development.METHODS500 randomly selected diabetic patients...