A molecular epidemiological investigation of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in goats and captive Arabian sand gazelle (Gazella marica) in Oman.

BACKGROUND: Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a fatal WOAH-listed, respiratory disease in small ruminants with goats as primary hosts that is caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae (Mccp). Twelve CCPP outbreaks were investigated in 11 goat herds and a herd of captive Arabian sand gazelle (Gazella marica) in four Omani governorates by clinical pathological and molecular analysis to compare disease manifestation and Mccp genetic profiles in goats and wild ungulates. RESULTS: The CCPP forms in diseased and necropsied goats varied from peracute (5.8%), acute (79.2%) and chronic (4.5%) while all of the five necropsied gazelles showed the acute form based on the clinical picture, gross and histopathological evaluation. Colonies of Mccp were recovered from cultured pleural fluid, but not from lung tissue samples of one gazelle and nine goats and all the isolates were confirmed by Mccp-specific real time PCR. Whole genome-single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed on the ten isolates sequenced in this study and twenty sequences retrieved from the Genbank database. The Mccp strains from Oman clustered all in phylogroup A together with strains from East Africa and one strain from Qatar. A low variability of around 125 SNPs was seen in the investigated Omani isolates from both goats and gazelles indicating mutual transmission of the pathogen between wildlife and goats. CONCLUSION: Recent outbreaks of CCPP in Northern Oman are caused by Mccp strains of the East African Phylogroup A which can infect goats and captive gazelles likewise. Therefore, wild and captive ungulates should be considered as reservoirs and included in CCPP surveillance measures.

Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder among Omani children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer: a prospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer often experience psychological distress, encompassing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of these conditions among Omani children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, alongside identifying contributing factors. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to June 2023 among a cohort of Omani children and adolescents (6-18 years old) diagnosed with cancer at three primary cancer referral centres in Oman. Validated Arabic-language versions of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children, and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised instruments were used to assess symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, respectively. An initial assessment (T1) was undertaken within the first 3 months of diagnosis, followed by a second assessment (T2) 3-6 months later. RESULTS: Of 113 eligible participants, 101 agreed to participate in the study (response rate: 95.6%), with 92 (91.0%) completing both assessments and included in the final analysis. Prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD decreased from 43.5%, 56.5%, and 32.6%, respectively, at T1, to 38.0%, 35.9%, and 23.9% at T2. All average scores were below diagnostic cut-off points, except for the depression score at T1. Anxiety and depression scores decreased significantly (p = 0.043 and 0.001, respectively) between T1 and T2, as did the overall prevalence of depression (p = 0.004). At T1, linear regression analysis showed significant correlations between anxiety scores and the child's age and PTSD score (p < 0.05); these variables were also correlated with depression scores (p ≤ 0.001). At T2, significant correlations were observed between anxiety scores and the child's age and PTSD scores (p < 0.001). At both T1 and T2, anxiety, depression, and PTSD scores remained significantly correlated (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Omani children and adolescents recently diagnosed with cancer exhibit a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD over time. Age-appropriate communication, ongoing support, and mental health services are recommended to help this patient group cope with their diagnosis and manage their emotional wellbeing. There is a need for future research to determine the effectiveness of specific psychological interventions in reducing the frequency of these disorders.

Quantitative Evaluation of Cancer Stigma among Non-Patient Population in Oman.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is widely considered as one of the most stigmatized diseases globally, despite scientific advances in the medicine. While most existing literatures focuses on cancer stigma as perceived by patients, there has been limited research on  stigma towards cancer among the non-cancer population. In 2014, Marlow et al developed and validated the "Cancer Stigma Scale" (CASS) specifically for the non-Cancer population. This study aims to quantitatively evaluate cancer stigma within the non-patient population in Oman. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Oman. The Cancer Stigma Scale (CASS) has been used to evaluate the cancer-related stigma among the non-cancer patient population in Oman. RESULTS: A total of 510 participants completed the survey of whom 57.6% were male. The personal responsibility section had the highest mean score, followed by the avoidance and financial discrimination. The lowest mean scores were observed in the danger and policy opposition sections. Female participants showed ore disagreement  with cancer stigma statements compared to males. Participants who knew someone with cancer expressed more disagreement with stigma statements than those  who did not know anyone with cancer. CONCLUSION: This study provides a baseline measurement of  cancer-related stigma among non-cancer patients in Oman, tilizing the CASS in a representative sample of the population. The results indicate generally low levels of stigma, though certain aspects are more pronounced, varying according to the participants' gender, age, and personal connections to someone with cancer.

Glycaemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: an updated review.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a major public health concern, causing significant disability and death worldwide. Fuelled by a modern sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary practices, T2DM affects at least 10.5% of the world's population. This paper seeks to review the progress made by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) in addressing T2DM, focusing on glycaemic control proportions and comparing it with the 2015 review. The results indicate no significant improvement in glycaemic control proportions since the last review, with only 9.2% to 56.9% of patients having good control (glycosylated haemoglobin < 7%). However, there are no significant differences in glycaemic control between the GCC countries and other places worldwide despite being considered hotbeds of T2DM. Many factors contribute to poor glycaemic control. Specifically, evidence shows that being overweight or obese is the most common modifiable risk factor for T2DM incidence and poor glycaemic control. The GCC countries have higher rates of obesity. Additionally, poor glycaemic control is mainly related to a lack of adherence to insulin and medication use. Poor diet, rich in calories and low in fruits and vegetables, and a sedentary lifestyle also significantly contribute to poor glycaemic control and obesity. Therefore, to reduce the incidence of disease and improve glycaemic control in diabetic patients, educational programs promoting lifestyle changes should be implemented. Ongoing research is also necessary to assess the trend of glycaemic control and its risk factors in our region.

Factors associated with anxiety-related symptoms in children and adolescents during COVID-19 in Oman: a cross-sectional study.

Reports from different parts of the world suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown and social distancing measures have heralded unprecedented mental health challenges among children and adolescents. To date, there is a dearth of studies emerging from the Arabian Gulf, where the majority of its population are children and adolescents. The study aims to examine the prevalence of anxiety-related symptoms and their covariates among children and adolescents in an Arabian Gulf country, Oman. This is a cross-sectional analytic study carried out over two weeks (1st to 15th of August 2020) during the COVID-19 pandemic across Oman. Parents were asked to complete the online survey, which consisted of the parent version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) instrument and questions regarding basic socio-demographic information. Logistic regression was used to identify the contributing variables associated with anxiety-related symptoms. A total of 790 valid responses were received. Among the 790 children, 33.3% (n = 263) were diagnosed with anxiety-related symptoms by the SCARED instrument. Logistic regression analysis suggested that anxiety-related symptoms in children and adolescents were significantly associated with three demographic variables. The model shows that children with divorced or separated parents were 1.9 times more likely to have anxiety-related symptoms than children of married couples (OR = 1.93, p = 0.035). Children living in families with an income below USD 1000/month, were 1.8 times more likely to have anxiety-related symptoms than a family with an income of USD 4000/month (OR = 1.833, p = 0.018). Children in grades 3-6 were 1.8 times more likely to have anxiety-related symptoms than those in grades 1-2 (OR = 1.79, p = 0.024). Anxiety-related symptoms are common among Omani children and adolescents. They are more likely to be reported in middle scholastic grade levels and children from families with marital discord and low socioeconomic status. It is not clear whether the presently observed rates of anxiety exceed the prevalence that would have been observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. More studies are therefore warranted using children and adolescents' self-reported scales.

Factors Affecting the Early Maturation of Arteriovenous Fistulae Created at a Tertiary Centre in Oman.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with the failure of arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) maturation. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2014 to December 2018 in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Patients were followed-up 3 months after surgery, and their electronic medical records were accessed for demographic and clinical data. Univariate analysis was used to determine the risk factors associated with early AVF maturation and multivariant analysis was used to determine the predictive factors for AVF failure. Results: A total of 269 patients were included. Female gender was a significant factor affecting AVF maturity (P = 0.049), while age (P = 0.626), diabetes (P = 0.954), hypertension (P = 0.378), dyslipidaemia (P = 0.907), coronary artery disease (P = 0.576), cerebrovascular accident (P = 0.864), congestive heart failure (P = 0.685), previous central venous catheterisation (P = 0.05), fistula type (P = 0.863) and fistula site (P = 0.861) did not affect AVF maturation. Binary logistic regression showed that all the risk factors were insignificant. Failure of early AVF maturation affected 11.5% in the cohort. Conclusion: This study found that the proportion of early AVF maturation at our hospital is at par with that in the international literature. Failure of AVF maturation was significantly associated with the female gender. These findings can help nephrologists and vascular surgeons prognosticate AVF maturation rates. However, a larger study is needed for definitive conclusions.

Analysis of Blood Cultures from Major Burns Patients in a Tertiary Care Burn Unit in Oman.

Objectives: This study aimed to review the blood stream infections of major burn patients in a tertiary care burn unit to determine the most prevalent infecting organisms in order to have a better empirical therapy protocol. Methods: This retrospective study analysed the blood stream infection of 155 major burn (>20% Total Body Surface Area [TBSA]) patients in Khoula Hospital, Muscat, Oman between January 2014 to December 2019. Results: The median age was 33 years and 57.42% of patients were male. The median TBSA was 38%, mortality was 25.16% and 50.9% of patients had positive blood cultures. The expired patients had higher TBSAs, Abbreviated Burns Severity Index scores and earlier first positive blood cultures. Candida was commonly grown in all the blood cultures, but the most prevalent organisms were Acinetobacter, Staphylococci, Klebsiella, Enterococcus and Pseudomonas. All Acinetobacter species are multidrug resistant. Of the 17 patients who had Kelbsiella grown in the blood culture, 8 grew multidrug-resistant Klebsiella. Only 4 patients' blood cultures grew methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The number of blood culture samples taken ranged between 1-28 (median = 6). The first positive blood culture showed that Staphylococcus epidermidis and Acinetobacter were the most common infecting organisms. Conclusions: Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter was the most predominant microorganism grown from the blood cultures of major burn patients in a tertiary care burn unit. Empirical therapy should include antibiotics that are effective against this organism to reduce the mortality.

Predictors of survival among patients with chronic hepatitis C at a tertiary care center in Oman.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. This study aimed to determine rates and predictors of survival among Omani patients with CHC at a tertiary hospital in Muscat, Oman. METHODS: This ambidirectional cohort study included all CHC patients who presented to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital between January 2009 and December 2017. Baseline demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were analyzed. Patients were followed-up until death or the endpoint of the study (April 2022) to determine survival and associations with other parameters. RESULTS: A total of 702 CHC patients were included, of which 398 (56.7%) were under 50 years of age and 477 (67.9%) were male. Overall, 180 patients (25.6%) died by the study endpoint. The mean duration of follow-up was 93.3 ± 48.0 months. The 5-year survival rate was estimated to be 80.5%, while the 10-year survival was 73%. Sustained virological response and the absence of diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, HCC, or other malignancies were associated with significantly better overall survival. The 3- and 5-year survival rate of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC was 46.5% and 27.6%, respectively, with a median survival of 29.5 months. Co-infection with hepatitis B was associated with poor survival among this subgroup; conversely, early HCV screening and the presence of a single HCC lesion were associated with better overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: National policies for early CHC screening and rapid treatment are needed to improve survival rates in this population.

A Retrospective Study in 12-Year cohort of 216 Parturients with Invasive Placentation in a Tertiary Care Centre in Oman: Clinical Outcomes Indicate Severe Maternal Morbidity.

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) comprising placenta accreta, increta, and percreta, is 1 of the leading causes of peripartum hemorrhage and accounts for up to 50% of all cesarean hysterectomies (CH). We analyzed the data of 216 parturients with PAS who underwent cesarean delivery (CD) and/or CH. Intraoperative surgical complications were noted in 215 (99.5%). The mean estimated blood loss was 2743 (1790) mL, and 105 parturients (48.6%) lost ≥2500 mL. The patients experienced high rates of severe acute maternal morbidity [162 (75%)], hysterectomy [82 (38%)], large volume blood loss, blood transfusion, peripartum anemia, and prolonged hospital stay.

Detection of foot-and-mouth disease viruses from the A/AFRICA/G-I genotype in the Sultanate of Oman.

Rapid identification and characterization of circulating foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) strains is crucial for effective disease control. In Oman, a few serological and molecular studies have been conducted to identify the strains of FMDV responsible for the outbreaks that have been occurring within the country. In this study, 13 oral epithelial tissue samples from cattle were collected from suspected cases of FMD in Ash Sharqiyah North, Al Batinah North, Dhofar and Ad Dhakhyilia governorates of Oman between 2018 and 2021. FMDV RNA was detected in all samples by real-time RT-PCR and viruses were isolated after one- or two-blind passages in the porcine Instituto Biologico-Rim Suino-2 cell line. Antigen capture ELISA characterized all isolates as serotype A and VP1 phylogenetic analysis placed all sequences within a single clade of the G-I genotype within the A/AFRICA topotype. These sequences shared the closest nucleotide identities to viruses circulating in Bahrain in 2021 (93.5% to 99.5%) and Kenya in 2017 (93.4% to 99.1%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that A/AFRICA/G-I viruses have been detected in Oman. Together with the closely related viruses detected recently in Bahrain, these findings reinforce the importance of deploying effective quarantine control measures to minimize the risks of transboundary transmission of FMD associated with the importation of cattle from East Africa.

Analyzing Cancer Incidence Trends in Oman From 1996 to 2019: A Comprehensive Study of the National Cancer Annual Reports.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have reported that cancer incidence trends in Oman varied by tumor site and sex. No comprehensive analysis of all cancer sites had been reported. The objective of this study is to analyze cancer incidence trends in Oman and calculate the annual percent change (APC) in age-standardized rates (ASRs) for all-cancer and 61 individual cancer sites in Omani men and women from 1996 to 2019. METHODS: We gathered incidence data from The Omani National Cancer Registry for all cancers combined and individual tumor sites. We estimated the APC using Poisson regression. RESULTS: The cancer ASR in the Omani population increased by 23% (from 95/100,000 in 1996 to 117.2/100,000 in 2019), with the increase being more pronounced in females (48% v 7% in males). Among the male population, there was significant increase in the ASRs of colon, rectum, thyroid, and prostate cancers, with APCs of 6.92%, 4.24%, 4.19%, and 2.03%, respectively. Among females, all-cancer incidence showed significant increase (APC = 1.39%), and increasing trends were observed in uterine, colon, rectum, thyroid, and breast cancers (APCs = 7.57%, 7.08%, 5.19%, 5.16%, and 4.19%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The ASR of all-cancer increased significantly in Omani women but not in men. Uterine cancer had the highest APC. Colorectal cancer and thyroid ASR increased in both males and females. Breast and prostate cancers showed increasing trends. Further research is needed to explore factors contributing to increasing cancer incidences.

A comparative study of SARS-CoV-2 and common human coronavirus infections among children presenting to tertiary care in Oman.

OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical manifestations, laboratory characteristics, and outcomes of children presenting to tertiary care with SARS-CoV-2 or common human coronavirus (HCoV) infection. METHODS: Children 13 years of age or younger presenting in 2020 with SARS-CoV-2 and those presenting with HCoV between 2017 and 2019 were included. Clinical and laboratory features were compared using appropriate statistical tests. The study was conducted at the two main tertiary hospitals in Muscat, Oman. RESULTS: The study included 255 cases (131 SARS-CoV-2 and 124 HCoV). Median age was 1.7 years (interquartile range 0.5-5.6), and 140 patients (55%) were males. Among children with HCoV infection, diarrhea was less common compared to children with SARS-CoV-2 (4% vs 23%, P <0.001), while respiratory symptoms such as cough were more common (74% vs 31%, P <0.001). Intensive care admission was more frequent with SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to HCoV (22% vs 11%, P = 0.039). Three virus-related deaths were recorded, all of which occurred among patients with SARS-CoV-2 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. CONCLUSION: Lower respiratory tract disease is more frequent among children with HCoV infection compared to SARS-CoV-2, while gastrointestinal symptoms are more frequent with SARS-CoV-2. Critical illness is more likely with SARS-CoV-2 infection, driven mostly by multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.

The Burden of Human Parechoviruses Among Children in Oman: A retrospective study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the burden, clinical and laboratory features and outcomes of human parechoviruses (HPeVs) infection among children in Oman. Methods: This retrospective study included children (aged <18 years) with molecularly proven HPeV infection who were managed at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between January 2017 and December 2019. Data were obtained from the patients' medical records and analysed to describe their demographics, clinical and laboratory features, management and outcomes. Results: HPeV was detected in 61 patients, 44 (72%) of whom were males. The median age of these patients was nine months (interquartile range [IQR]: 6-15 months). HPeV was detected throughout the year without any significant peaks. Majority of the patients (n = 51, 84%) had co-infection with other viruses. Forty-eight (79%) children with HPeV infection required hospitalisation, and their median length of hospital stay was five days (IQR: 3-8 days). Ex-prematurity (n = 10, 16%) was the commonest comorbidity among this group. Fever (n = 41, 67%) and cough (n = 41, 67%) were the commonest presenting symptoms among the children. Two-thirds of the HPeV-infected children in this cohort were managed for lower respiratory tract infection; none was managed for meningitis. Gastroenteritis was not common in this cohort; only eight children had diarrhoea. All children made a full recovery. Conclusion: HPeVs infection does not show a clear seasonality in Oman. Most of the children were aged <2 years and had a viral co-infection. The outcomes of HPeV infection were favourable, with no mortalities, but a thorough follow-up for neurological outcomes was lacking.

Incidence of Optic Neuritis among Omani Patients with Multiple Sclerosis at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.

Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, multifaceted, heterogeneous autoimmune disease, with optic neuritis (ON) being a common early manifestation among those with MS. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of ON among Omani patients with MS. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included all Omani patients diagnosed with MS at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between January 1991 and December 2019. The data were collected from the neurology registry and electronic medical records and analysed descriptively using univariant and multivariant statistical techniques. Results: Out of the 185 patients diagnosed with MS during the study period, 170 were included in the analysis. The male-to-female ratio was 1:2 and the mean age was 28 years. The incidence of ON in the population was 28.8%, with 83.7% of ON patients presenting with relapse-remitting MS (RRMS). Overall, 28.6% of patients presented with O N as an initial manifestation of MS, whereas 42.8% developed ON at a later stage. Most patients (49.4%) were from higher-latitude regions of Oman such as Muscat and Al Batinah. Conclusions: The incidence of both MS and ON increased over the study period. While the overall incidence was low in comparison with Western data, it was similar to the rates reported elsewhere in the Arabian Peninsula. Overall, ON was the most common manifestation of MS in the cohort, with younger female patients more frequently presenting with both MS and ON. A significant association was found between the RRMS subtype and ON presentation.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rates and predictors of missed hospital appointments in multiple outpatient clinics of The Royal Hospital, Sultanate of Oman: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant changes in the delivery of health care services such as attendance of scheduled outpatient hospital appointments. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the rate and predictors of missed hospital appointment in the Sultanate of Oman. METHODS: A retrospective single-centre analysis was conducted to determine the effect of COVID-19 on missed hospital appointments at various clinics at The Royal Hospital (tertiary referral hospital) in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. The study population included scheduled face-to-face and virtual appointments between January 2019 and March 2021. Logistic regression models were used with interaction terms (post COVID-19) to assess changes in the predictors of missed appointments. RESULTS: A total of 34, 3149 scheduled appointments was analysed (320,049 face-to-face and 23,100 virtual). The rate of missed face-to-face hospital appointments increased from 16.9% pre to 23.8% post start of COVID-19, particularly in early pandemic (40.5%). Missed hospital appointments were more frequent (32.2%) in virtual clinics (post COVID-19). Increases in missed face-to-face appointments varied by clinic (Paediatrics from 19.3% pre to 28.2% post; Surgery from 12.5% to 25.5%; Obstetrics & Gynaecology from 8.4% to 8.5%). A surge in the frequency of missed appointments was seen during national lockdowns for face-to-face and virtual appointments. Most predictors of missed appointments did not demonstrate any appreciable changes in effect (i.e., interaction term not statistically significant). Distance of patient residence to the hospital revealed no discernible changes in the relative effect pre and post COVID-19 for both face-to-face and virtual clinic appointments. CONCLUSION: The rate of missed visits in most clinics was directly impacted by COVID-19. The case mix of patients who missed their appointments did not change. Virtual appointments, introduced after start of the pandemic, also had substantial rates of missed appointments and cannot be viewed as the single approach that can overcome the problem of missing hospital appointments.

Time trend of respiratory viruses before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in severe acute respiratory virus infection in the Sultanate of Oman between 2017 and 2022.

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) is a potentially lethal condition, necessitating thorough medical care. COVID-19 underscored the SARI threat, but other high-risk pathogens require monitoring alongside SARS-CoV-2. Oman instituted a comprehensive testing system to gauge the prevalence of these pathogens between 2017 and 2021, aiding resource allocation and public health responses to potential respiratory pathogen outbreaks. Methods: Samples from SARI cases admitted to ICU were tested for pathogens using the Fast-Track Diagnostic (FTD) molecular assay, a respiratory virus panel (RVP) that tests for 21 pathogens, including 20 viruses, by qPCR. Results: Between 2017 and 2022, ~30 000 samples were analysed using the RVP panel. Among SARI patients, 8%-42% tested positive for respiratory pathogens, with 4% showing multiple infectious agents, especially in children under 10. A drop in positivity during 2020-2021 can be attributed to SARS-CoV-2 control measures, followed by a rebound in infections in early 2022. Discussion: The COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness of respiratory pathogens' spread without adequate control measures. Influenza A/B, human rhinoviruses and respiratory syncytial virus constituted over 50% of severe acute respiratory illness cases in Oman over the past 5 years. During the pandemic, the incidence of these infections significantly declined, demonstrating the efficacy of COVID-19 prevention measures in reducing spread of other pathogens.

Obesity and lifestyle behaviours among in-school children in Oman.

Background: Many countries are experiencing an increasing prevalence of childhood obesity and this needs to be carefully addressed. Aims: To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and the sociodemographic factors and lifestyle risk behaviours associated with obesity among in-school children in Al Buraimi Governorate, Oman. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 714 male and female in-school children aged 6-17 years in 14 government schools in Al Buraimi Governorate, Oman, from April to July 2019. Data were collected on the sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle of the students using a self-administered questionnaire. The students' height, weight and waist circumference were also measured. The BMI-for-age growth charts cutoff reference standards of the WHO were used to determine weight category. Central obesity was assessed by calculating the waist-to-height ratio, and the waist-toheight ratio cutoff of 0.50 was used to identify central obesity in both boys and girls. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 21, involving both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A total of 714 students were included. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 12.3% and 16.3% respectively, and 21.4% of the students had central obesity. Lifestyle risk behaviours were significantly associated with student's age, sex and mother's education (P < 0.05). Predictors of obesity were: unhealthy eating habits (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 5.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.50-10.70), sedentary screen-based activities (AOR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.05-2.26), inadequate night-time sleep duration (AOR = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.34-1.00), sibling obesity (AOR = 2.24; 95% CI: 1.55-3.25), paternal obesity (AOR = 1.66; 95% CI: 1.10-2.50) and maternal obesity (AOR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.10-2.45). Conclusion: There is a need for effective health promotion programmes targeting in-school children in Oman, as well as regular monitoring of lifestyle behaviours associated with overweight and obesity among the younger populations. Larger studies are needed to understand the predictors of overweight and obesity among in-school children in Oman and to design relevant school-based interventions to prevent obesity among young Omanis.

The Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in Hemodialysis Patients in Oman: A National Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: HCV infection in hemodialysis units is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The risk of HCV infection among dialysis patients is higher compared to the general population due to high potential blood exposures in hemodialysis settings. This study aims to assess the national HCV seroprevalence in selected dialysis units and to determine the risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 January to 31 March 2021. A total of 734 patients from 11 hemodialysis centers in Oman were included. Samples were tested simultaneously for HCV antibodies and HCV RNA. HCV genotyping was determined in all viremic patients. Demographic and hemodialysis center related data were gathered and their association with the positive HCV serology were explored using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Out of 800 patients selected from 11 dialysis units for the study, 734 patients (91.8%) were included. The overall seroprevalence of HCV infection among hemodialysis patients was 5.6%. (41/734). HCV RNA was detected in 31.7% (13/41) of seropositive hemodialysis patients. The most common genotype was subtype 1a, followed by subtype 3. Variables associated with high HCV prevalence were family history of HCV and duration of dialysis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of infection within hemodialysis patients in Oman has significantly decreased but remained higher than the general population. Continuous monitoring and follow-up, including periodic serosurvey and linkage to care and treatment are recommended. Additionally, practice audits are recommended for identifying gaps and ensuring sustainability of best practices and further improvement.

Identification of Asymptomatic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections Among Healthcare Workers at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the incidence and features of asymptomatic COVID-19 infections among healthcare workers (HCWs) at a tertiary hospital in Oman. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2020 and February 2021 among HCWs with no history of COVID-19 infection. An online questionnaire collected sociodemographic and clinical data. COVID-19 infection was diagnosed using nasopharyngeal/throat swabs, which were tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Analyses were performed using the Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test or univariate ordinary least squares regression, as appropriate. Results: A total of 583 HCWs participated in the study, most of whom were female (56.6%), and the mean age was 35 ± 8 years. Only 9.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.3-12.3%) of the HCWs were at high exposure risk as they were directly involved in the care of COVID-19-infected patients. Overall, 4.1% (95% CI: 2.7-6.1%) of the HCWs screened positive for SARS-CoV-2, of which 20.8% developed symptoms within two weeks. The frequency of SARS-CoV-2 positivity among HCWs working in high-, intermediate-, low- and miscellaneous-risk areas was 1.8% (95% CI: <0.1-9.6%), 2.6% (95% CI: <0.1-6.5%), 5.3% (95% CI: 0.3-9.3%) and 4.8% (95% CI: <0.1-69.3%), respectively. Working in high-risk areas was associated with increased compliance with various infection control strategies (P <0.001). Conclusion: There was a greater frequency of SARS-CoV-2 positivity among HCWs working in low-risk areas, whereas HCWs who worked in high-risk areas were significantly more likely to report increased compliance with infection control strategies.