Years In Oman Research Articles

Business Plan Perceptions and Experiences of Entrepreneurship Students in Oman

Purpose –Feasibility Study or Business Plan (B-Plan) is inseparable component of many entrepreneurship programs at higher education level. In parallel, B-Plan is weighted component of The Entrepreneurship Module which has been offered commonly at all higher education institutions past 8 years in Oman. In this study, it is aimed to analyze perception and experiences of B-Plan by the perspectives of the students who studied Entrepreneurship and prepared B-Plan.Design/method/approach –Accordingly, the research has been designed to analyze B-Plan perceptions and experiences of the students from various programs and major at higher education level. As research method, the survey has been conducted with 562 students from Medicine, IT, Business, Engineering, Nursing majors and programs which commonly offering same Entrepreneurship Module at public and private HEIs in Oman.Findings –Some findings have confirmed significant differences of perceptions and experiences by gender and program. Regardless of gender and program, all participants were agree on that the most difficult part of B-Plan is financial management. What the most liked of B-Plan are teamwork, innovating, creating revenues. What the most disliked of B-Plan are financial management, business entitle, fundraising. Bigger team size negatively affects B-Plan perceptions/experiences. Males are capitalizing their B-Plan relatively higher than females. Females are more positive than males any perception and experiences on B-Plan.Discussion –There are considerable outcomes to revise and restructure B-Plan in Entrepreneurship Module in Oman and similar contexts as well.The students are not fully persuaded about why B-Plan required and confident enough to prepare B-Plan.

Life Expectancy and Healthy Life Expectancy of Adults in Oman: Does Women’s Longer Life Expectancy than Men Mean Success or Burden for Women?

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the life expectancy (LE) and healthy life expectancy (HLE) of Omani adults with age and gender differentials, focusing on whether the higher LE of women than men is a gain or burden for women. Method: Data for the study come from multiple sources such as the 2010 population census, the 2008 World Health Survey in Oman, and secondary data published in the Statistical Yearbook of Oman. The life table and the modified life table proposed by Sullivan were used for estimating the LE and HLE of adult people of age 20 and above, respectively. Results: LE in Oman reached 76 years for both sexes in recent times. However, since 2010 LE has been stalled in the vicinity of 76 years in Oman. Women had higher LE than men (79 years versus 74 years). In terms of HLE, men outweighed women in Oman. At the age of 20, the gap between male-female LE was found to be 4.7 years in favor of females, whereas the gap between male-female HLE was found to be 5.8 years in favor of males. Females spent a relatively long time in poor health status than males (20.8 years versus 10.8 years) and the proportion of life spent in poor health was greater for females than males (35.0% vs. 19.3%). This revealed the paradox of less mortality but higher morbidity among women, supporting the “Failure of Success” hypothesis. Conclusion: Appropriate health policy and strategy need to be taken to reduce the gender gap in LE and HLE in Oman.

736 Current Management Strategies, Perceptions, and Attitudes of the Paediatricians on Childhood Obesity: An Experience from the Middle East

Abstract Background Childhood obesity is a public health concern that in expanding globally. Of those aged between 5-19 years in Oman, 32% were found to be overweight in 2016. Method An electronic survey was distributed to in-training and post residency paediatricians in Oman. Results A total of 69 responses met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. 50% of participants were less than 30 years-old (53.6% female). 70% were in training residency (R1, R2 24.6%, R3, R4 36.2%,) and 30% were post residency. 72% had their training in Oman. About half of participants measure child’s weight and Height, however, only 24.4% document BMI and compare with previous records. 75% regularly obtain family history of obesity and related conditions along with dietary intake. More than half of participants were not confident on discussing weight and related complication with the child, but 62.3 % were confident in discussing it with the parents. 50% were confident in initiating treatment for childhood obesity and providing dietary advice. Attitudes towards exposure to childhood obesity and management varied and overall excellent exposure accounted for less than one third of responses (Medical school 21.7%, Residency 26.1%, 27.5%). In general, only 20.6% believe they are confident in managing childhood obesity and only 29% attended seminar or training on childhood obesity. 93% believe there is a need for a more focused training on childhood obesity prevention and management. Conclusions Great efforts need to be targeted towards strengthening Paediatricians’ confidence in childhood obesity prevention and management via in residency-training and continuous professional development.

Disease-free Survival of Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Study from a Tertiary Center in Oman.

ObjectivesAs with global trends, the prevalence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has increased in recent years in Oman. However, to the best of our knowledge, no local studies have yet been published evaluating the prognosis of DTC cases in Oman. This study aimed to assess disease-free survival (DFS) and prognostic factors related to DTC among Omani patients attending a tertiary care center.MethodsThis retrospective, observational cohort study was conducted between January 2006 and May 2016 at the National Diabetes and Endocrine Center in Oman. Data related to DFS and prognostic factors were obtained from the electronic medical records of all ≥ 18-year-old patients diagnosed with DTC during the study period.ResultsA total of 346 DTC cases were identified. Overall, 82.7% of patients were disease-free at their last follow-up appointment. Univariate analysis indicated that various tumor characteristics including histological subtype (i.e., papillary carcinoma, Hurthle cell cancer, and minimally invasive follicular thyroid carcinoma), lymph node status, number of lymph node metastases, distant metastasis status, and TNM status (primary tumor (T), regional lymph node (N), distant metastasis (M) stage) were strong prognostic factors for DFS (p < 0.050). According to multivariate regression analysis, lymph node status, extrathyroidal extension, and angiovascular invasion were independent predictors of DFS (p < 0.050).ConclusionsThe overall prognosis of DTC among Omani patients was excellent. Treatment and follow-up strategies for patients with DTC should be tailored based on the individual’s risk factor profile.

Development and Validation of Questionnaire to Assess Knowledge about Cervical Cancer among Women Aged 20 to 65 years in Oman.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess awareness of cervical cancer, its risk factors, and methods of prevention among Arabic-speaking women aged 20 years and over. Methods: The study took place at primary healthcare institutions, Al Buraimi Governorate, Oman, between November 2018 to February 2019. In phase I, seventy items concerning cervical cancer and its prevention were generated through a literature review. In phase 2, the questionnaire was validated through calculating the content validity index (CVI) for both item level (I-CVI) and the scale level (S-CVI), in this phase a shortened English questionnaire of 55 items was formed, then rigorously translated to the Arabic language in phase III. The questionnaire was tested for reliability in two stages: A pilot and a large field test in phase IV. Results: A total of 55 out of 70 items formed the final version of the questionnaire. The final instrument had an S-CVI/Ave of 0.92. The questionnaire called the Knowledge in Cervical Cancer and Prevention Methods 55-items (KCCPM-55). The Cronbach alpha coefficient was 0.940 for the whole questionnaire, and ranged between 0.57 to 0.93 for each of the domains. Test-retest reliability was examined in a subsample of the total participants sample (r = 0.769, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The KCCPM-55 has been successfully developed in the Arabic language and found to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the level of knowledge about cervical cancer and prevention methods among women aged 20 to 65 years in Oman.

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PEACE EDUCATION PROGRAM ON THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOUR FOR PRE-SCHOOL IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN

The present study aims at providing a peace education program for pre-school children through classroom teaching methods and processes. As peace education is an essential component of good basic education, it is an integral part of UNICEF’s vision of basic education awareness. The Universal Declaration on Education for All (1990) (The Jomtien Declaration) clearly states that basic learning needs are not only essential tools such as literacy and numeracy but also knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values required to live, work with dignity and participate in development. It also states the Inter-Agency Commission, World Conference on Education For All (WCEFA., 1990) that meeting those needs entails responsibility and the promotion of social justice, acceptance of differences, and peace. Furthermore, the present study provided a peace education program (PEP) for pre-school children aged (4 - 6) years in Oman. Where the program contains (28) training sessions are offered within (15) weeks at the rate of one hour per session. The researcher used a scale of two images, the behaviour of the children was measured before and after the experiment, where the researcher adopted the quasi-experimental method, the sample consisted of (40) children in the experimental group and (40) children in the control group. In addition, the results of the current study were in favour of the experimental group, where an improvement in their behaviour was observed after being enrolled in the program. The study finds that pre-school education is very important to spread peace since it focuses on a critical era in children’s life. Thus, the study recommends the ministry of education to consider the findings for a better peaceful learning environment.

SAT-196 CAUSES, PROGRESSION, AND MAGNITUDE OF END-STAGE KIDNEY DISEASE OVER FOUR DECADES IN OMAN

Oman is located in the in Southwest Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ministry of Health plays a central role in the health status of the citizens and residents. Health data are collected routinely as a part of the mandatory requirement from all around the country including end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) data like the United States Renal Data System (USRDS). Continuous improvement in registries is required to improve capturing of ESKD patients for providing accurate data to health authorities and enhancing public awareness of the magnitude. Hereby, we examine the causes, progression, and magnitude of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) over the last almost forty years in Oman. We examined ESKD data from 1983 to 2020. A questionnaire based on USRDS form 2728 is regularly completed by nephrologists once a citizen reached ESKD and then received by central office in Muscat, the capital city. The data entered are rechecked by 2 other team members. Data were analyzed using STATA software (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX). So far, a total of 5385 forms were completed, with a response rate of 92% (52.6% males). The mean (SD) age was 50.3 (14.0) years. By the 15th of October 2019, there were 4117 patients alive on renal replacement therapy (RRT); of whom 2040 were on hemodialysis (49.5%), 1860 were living with a functioning kidney transplant (45.1%), and 217 were receiving peritoneal dialysis (5.2%). The incidence of ESKD on RRT was 21, 75, 120, and 160 per million population in 1983, 2001, 2013, and 2019, respectively. Similarly, the prevalence of ESKD was 49, 916, 2386, and 4117 in 1983, 2001, 2013 and 2019, respectively. Among patients with ESKD on RRT, a progressive rise was seen in diabetic nephropathy, with 5.8%, 32.1%, 46% and 48% in 1983, 2001, 2013, and 2019, respectively. The number of citizens (incidence and prevalence) of ESKD has risen progressively over last four decades. The curtail of noncommunicable diseases is of vital importance to ameliorate the tsunami of ESKD in Oman. This is anticipated to continue at an even higher rate in view of the progressive rise in noncommunicable diseases. Hence, various stakeholders must combine effort to provide meaningful strategies towards various contributing factors.

Hemodialysis delivery, dialysis dose achievement, and vascular access types in hemodialysis patients from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries enrolled in the dialysis outcomes and practice patterns study phase 5 (2012-2015).

The prospective observational Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) was initiated in late 2012 in national samples of hemodialysis (HD) units (n = 41 study sites) in all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates). For many years, guidelines have recommended single pool Kt/V ≥1.2 as the minimum adequate dose for chronic HD patients. Here, we report initial DOPPS results regarding HD practices related to dialysis dose achievement in the GCC. A total of 928 adult HD patients were included in this analysis from 41 centers representing all six GCC countries. Baseline descriptive statistics (e.g., mean, standard deviation, median, interquartile range, or percentage) were calculated for the study sample. Results were weighted according to the fraction of HD patients sampled within each participating study site. Mean age varied between 51 years in Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, 55 years in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait, and 62 years in Qatar. Mean body mass index (BMI) was the lowest in Oman patients (23.9 kg/m 2 , but the remaining GCC countries had mean BMIs of 25.7-28.9 kg/m 2 and substantial fractions of overweight patients. Median dialysis vintage ranged from 1.52 years in Kuwait to 3.52 years in Oman. Mean treatment time per session varied from 202 min in Saudi Arabia to 230 min in Qatar while mean blood flow rate (BFR) ranged between 267 mL/min in Oman and 310 mL/min in Saudi Arabia. Interdialytic weight gain varied considerably among GCC countries between 3.1 and 4.0 kg. Central venous catheter use was high among GCC countries, ranging from 29% in Oman to 56% in Kuwait, with other countries averaging 30-40% catheter use. Data were available only for 50-76% of patients in four GCC countries (Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE) for calculating single pool Kt/V to indicate dialysis adequacy. When calculated for patients with vintage >1 year and dialyzing three times per week, mean single pool Kt/V was highest in Qatar and the UAE (1.50-1.51), intermediate in Kuwait (1.35), and lowest in Saudi Arabia (1.29). A higher risk of mortality was observed for patients having a single pool Kt/V <1.2 (vs. ≥1.2) [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-2.92]. Achievement of Kt/V in the GCC, although lower than in other DOPPS regions such as Europe/ANZ and North America, was similar to that in Japan. Japan and the GCC also share the practice of having a lower blood volume filtered per HD session per kg body weight. These findings suggest that increasing mean BFR and treatment time in the GCC, along with reducing catheter use, would substantially increase overall achievement of Kt/V >1.2 in the GCC, and hence, may improve survival. These mortality findings will need to be confirmed with up-coming GCC-DOPPS 6 analysis.

Non-Invasive Ventilation in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: An Experience of Tertiary Care Hospital Over 4 Years in Oman

Background: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has now become an integral tool in the treatment of both acute and chronic respiratory failure, and at the same time reducing the need for invasive ventilation. Aim: To determinate the efficacy of NIV in pediatrics whom admitted to Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with respiratory failure (Short term evaluation). Original Research Article Abdelmogheth et al.; BJMMR, 7(7): 561-566, 2015; Article no.BJMMR.2015.362 562 Subjects and Methods: Based on a retrospective review of electronic medical records (EPR) of patients who underwent NIV in the period between January 2007 and December 2010, demographic and clinical data were collected before and after applying the NIV. The data included heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), oxygen concentration (PO2) and CO2 concentration (PCO2). Results: NIV was used for a total of 61 pediatric patients admitted to PICU during the period of the study. Pneumonia was the commonest indication for the NIV (n=25, 40.9%), and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was used in 52(85.2%) patients. The mean duration of NIV was 8±7.2 days, there was a significant clinical improvement after one hour from application of NIV. The mean improvement in RR was from 48.4±2.2 to 35.0±1.5 (P=0.000), SPO2 was improved from 88.1±1.8 to 96.5±0.7 (P= 0.000), and the PCO2 was improved from 61.4±6.1 to 48.7±3.7 (P=0.002). Five patients were failing to respond to the NIV and shifted to mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: The NIV is a useful tool for treatment of respiratory failure in pediatrics, especially under the age of one year. Pneumonia was the commonest indication for the use of the NIV.

Gender inequality in vision loss and eye diseases: Evidence from the Sultanate of Oman

Purpose:The data from surveys of vision loss and monitoring of services were used to assess changes in gender inequality in Oman.Study Design:Retrospective review of data collection instruments.Materials and Method:The data sets of 12 years between 1996 and 2007 were abstracted to assess the gender equality for vision loss, eye disease prevalence, and service use. They included two surveys (1996 and 2005), Health Information from eye units (1998 and 2007), and eye screening in schools.Results:In 1996, the prevalence of bilateral blindness in ≥ 40 years of age was higher in females [Odd's Ratio (OR) = 0.36 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.24 – 0.53)]. Gender differences in the prevalence of cataract [OR = 0.82 (95% CI 0.63 – 1.03)] were not significant while trachomatous trichaisis (TT) was less in males [OR = 0.33 (95% CI 0.22-0.48)]. In 2005, gender differences in the prevalence of bilateral blindness [OR = 0.97 (95% CI 0.71 – 1.34)] and TT [OR = 0.66 (95% CI 0.42- 1.04)] were not statistically significant. But males were associated with higher prevalence of cataract [OR = 1.26 (95% CI 1.00 – 1.59)]. Surgery rates for cataract, glaucoma and TT were not different by gender. More male compared to female patients with diabetic retinopathy were treated. Myopia was significantly higher in girls. Compliance of spectacle wear was higher in girls.Conclusions:Gender inequality for eye care seems to have reduced in the last 10 years in Oman. However, apart from TT and glaucoma patients the difference in service utilization by gender was not statistically significant.

The incidence of lung cancer in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries

BACKGROUNDLung cancer is the most common cancer in the world, with an estimated number of 1.3 million new cases as of 2002. This is the first report from the countries that comprise the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).PATIENTS AND METHODSAll the primary lung cancer cases registered in the Gulf Center for Cancer Registration during 1998 to 2001 were used to calculate the age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) per 100 000 person-years by the direct standardization method.RESULTSOverall, there were 1607 (1261 males, 346 females) primary lung cancer cases registered during this period with the male to female ratio of 3.6:1. The highest ASR was in Bahrain (34.3 for males, 12.1 for females) followed by Qatar (18.5 for males, 5.5 for females) and Kuwait (13.8 for males, 4.0 for females); the lowest rate was in Saudi Arabia (4.8 for males, 1.3 for females). The mean age at diagnosis for males ranged from 68.7 years in Bahrain to 59.2 years in Oman. For females it ranged from 68.2 years in Bahrain to 58.0 years in Oman. Squamous cell carcinoma in males (except in Qatar) and adenocarcinoma in females were the predominant histological type.CONCLUSIONSCancer of the lung is one of the common cancers among males in all the GCC countries and ranks second among Bahraini females. Adenocarcinomas were more common in women than men.

Monthly average daily solar radiation and clearness index contour maps over Oman

Using meteorological data spanning more than ten years in Oman, radial basis function neural networks were developed for estimation of the solar radiation and clearness index for any location in Oman, given its longitude, latitude, altitude, sunshine hours and month of the year. Data generated for 25 different locations were then used to plot contour maps for monthly average daily solar radiation and clearness index over Oman. These maps will serve as a much needed reference for design and performance evaluation of solar energy conversion systems in this region.

Epidemiology of childhood insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the Sultanate of Oman.

This study assessed the updated incidence of IDDM in 0 to 14-year-old children in the Sultanate of Oman, which is located in the southern-eastern part of the Arabian peninsula. Incident cases were recorded prospectively from January 1993 to the end of December 1994. Incidence rates were standardized on the basis of the National Population Census. The degree of ascertainment was above 96% from the primary source. During two full calendar years, 31 new cases of IDDM in children were diagnosed in Oman (10 health regions). The standardized incidence rates were 2.45 and 2.62/100,000 per year during 1993 and 1994, respectively. The sex-specific rates among males and females were 3.23 and 1.99/100,000, respectively, in 1993 and 2.91 and 1.95/100,000, respectively in 1994. The age-specific incidence rates during the 2 years were higher in the 10-14 age group (3.69 and 4.22/100,000, respectively) vs those in the 5-9 age group (2.32 and 2.79/100,000, respectively) and 0.4 age group (1.54 and 0.97/100,000 respectively). The number of new cases/month was markedly higher in the relatively cooler months (September through March) of the year. The incidence rate of IDDM in children under the age of 15 years in Oman was lower than the reported incidence in Kuwait (another gulf country located north-west to Oman) which might reflect the north-south gradient reported in several previous studies. However this incidence rate was higher than those reported for many countries in Asia.

Height, weight and menarcheal age of adolescent girls in Oman

A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 683 school girls aged 11.5-18.5 years in Oman, in order to assess their physical growth. Height, weight and age at menarche were measured. Results showed that median height and weight of Omani girls fluctuates between 25th and 5th percentiles and 25th and 10th percentiles of the North American reference standard (NCHS), respectively. The mean age at menarche was 13.3 +/- 0.09 years. In general Omani girls are shorter and lighter than girls of similar age in other Arabian Gulf countries (Bahrain and Kuwait).

Arabian Tahr in Oman

Arabian tahr are confined to Oman, with a population of under 2000. Unlike other tahr species, which depend on grass, Arabian tahr require also fruits, seeds and young shoots. The areas where these can be found in this arid country are on certain north-facing mountain slopes with a higher rainfall, and it is there that reserves to protect this tahr must be made. The author spent two years in Oman studying the tahr.