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The current study reports on findings of using self-narrations by three teacher-researchers (two of whom are the authors and the narrative inquirers of this study) to reflect on an English as a Foreign Language-based research experience in a newly established Research Committee (RC) in their work place. A narrative frame tool in the form of sentence starters has been utilized to guide the narration and generate data from the three teachers' previously lived research experiences in the Committee. It is worth noting here that these three teachers had been working and actively engaging in research work before they had their memberships in the RC. The findings of this study are hoped to be significant and useful in learning about and highlighting the expectations of these three teacher-researchers of the research committee work, their learning experiences about research, and their challenges and how they defeated them, as well as their future inspirations. Further, reflecting on these findings can also help the trio with their professional development and growth as well as that of their colleagues at the Centre for Preparatory Studies (CPS), which was formerly known as the Language Centre (LC) at the time of their memberships. The study concludes with some pedagogical and practical implications regarding the experience of reflection, narration, and learning research.

Existing initiatives purporting to promote teacher research are often found to be inadequate to encourage EFL teachers to engage in research due to the fact that they impose a top down, expert model approach to research engagement. This study reports on a pioneering programme at Sultan Qaboos University Language Centre in the Sultanate of Oman which has adopted a bottom up, practitioner-based approach to research. Drawing on questionnaire and interview data, the article examines the teachers' perceptions of their experiences in initiating and carrying out teacher research using this programme. The findings indicate that whilst contextual constraints similar to those cited in the literature remain unyielding, the research support programme has been effective in supporting teachers to initiate and lead their own research studies. This success is discussed in relation to the programme's basis in a practitioner practice to theory model versus expert theory to practice models of teacher research engagement. As EFL teacher research is increasingly gaining popularity and acceptance worldwide, the study has implications for EFL institutions looking for effective ways to promote teacher research engagement in a collegial way.

This paper reports a research study of Omani EFL learners' motivation to engage in social technologies through the medium of English, adopting Dörnyei's L2 Motivational Self System as the main theoretical framework, whilst exploring other emergent context-sensitive motivational driving forces. The purpose of the research study was to explore identities and self-perceptions of Omani nationals using social media to learn English, an under-researched context. Reflective focused group discussions were conducted with 14 university-age students, along with individually composed language learning histories. The data of the research lend substantial support to the relevance of the L2 Motivational Self System in the Omani context, highlighting, in particular, the emerging collective national and religious identities of young Omani nationals. The paper argues for the need to deepen and broaden our understanding of the association of English social technologies and the national and religious affiliations of learners.

Mucormycosis is a rare, severe fungal infection mainly affecting immunocompromised individuals. Because of limited data on its epidemiology in Oman, we present this national, multicentric, retrospective review that includes all cases of proven mucormycosis between 2006 and 2022 in Oman. There were 51 cases of mucormycosis reported in Oman. The annual incidence of mucormycosis was 0.38–0.69 cases per million population before COVID-19. During the pandemic, the incidence rose significantly to 1.76 in 2020, 5.31 in 2021, then decreased to 0.87 per million population in 2022. Diabetes was observed in 82.4% (n = 42) of the cases, COVID-19 in 47.1% (n = 24), and other chronic diseases in 72.6%. The use of steroids was reported in 33.3% (n = 17) and many patients (64.7%, n = 33) had multiple risk factors. The overall mortality rate was 41.2% (n = 21) and most deaths occurred within a month of diagnosis. Mortality rate among patients diagnosed with COVID-19 was 58.3% (14/24). Survival analysis showed a statistically significant association between COVID-19 status and patient survival (p = 0.024). Annual incidence of mucormycosis in Oman rose during the pandemic. This study highlights the epidemiological features of mucormycosis and emphasizes the importance of its inclusion in the national notifiable communicable diseases priority list as well as the importance of enhancing diagnostic capacities to detect and improve patient outcomes.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO)’s multimodal strategy for improving hand hygiene (HH) compliance was endorsed in 2009 and was implemented by every hospital in Oman. There was variation in adherence to the practice even within the same facility and in sustaining improvement after the intervention. Objectives: Evaluate the impact of national HH role model project on health care worker's immediate and long term compliance with HH practices. Material and methods: A pretest–posttest quasi-experimental observational study was conducted in four hospitals, including 16 (medical/surgical/psychiatry) departments. The study consisted of four phases: Baseline assessment, intervention, three-month post-intervention assessment, and follow-up assessment after 15 months for sustainability. The intervention (role model in hand hygiene) consisted of four components: Leadership involvement as a role model for HH, posting HH messages with photos of role model leaders, a weekly selection of staff as HH role models, and conducting HH education and training from the focal point of each ward/department. Results: There were 5796 observations recorded during the study for Moments 1 and 4 of HH. HCWs’ overall compliance rate significantly increased from a baseline of 52.6% before the intervention to 74.1% after three months from the intervention, and 70.0% on follow-up after more than one year (p 60%) after 15 months from the start of the intervention. The likelihood of improvement in HH compliance with the intervention remained low for the moment before patient contact (AOR, 0.34; 95% CI = 0.27–0.44) during the weekend (AOR, 0.44; 95% CI = 0.32–0.59) in the psychiatry wards (AOR, 0.22; 95% CI = 0.15–0.34) and by the non-medical and nursing professions (AOR, 0.99; 95% CI = 0.61–1.66). Conclusions: Implementation of a role model as a behavioral intervention, in addition to the WHO’s multimodal strategy, successfully improved and sustained HCWs’ HH compliance rates. Understanding healthcare culture in the context of the driving factors of behavioral changes and regular follow-ups are essential to sustain adherence to safe HH practices.

BackgroundDespite the importance of organ donation and transplantation in improving the quality of life, still, there is a shortage of organ donations, worldwide. Lack of knowledge among the public could be the reason. In previous studies, the focus was predominantly on medical students at universities. The aim of this study was to assess university students’ knowledge and attitude about organ donation and transplantation among different colleges at the university.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted among university students between August 2021 and February 2022 using a validated self-designed questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of five sections. The first section was about the research information. The second section was informed consent. The third section was about sociodemographic information. The fourth section was about the knowledge of organ donation. The last section was about the attitude toward organ donation. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.ResultsThe study included 2,125 students. 68.1% were females, and 93.1% were in the age group 17–24 years old. Only 34.1% had good knowledge about organ donation, 70.2% had a low attitude, and 7.53% had adequate information about brain death. The most common reason for supporting donating organs among university students was to save a life (76.8%) and the most common reason for refusing organs, was I am still unaware. In addition, only 25.66% of the participants had a high attitude toward people with poor knowledge about organ donation. The majority of the students (84.13%) used online sources and social networks as the primary sources of information about organ donation.ConclusionThe knowledge and attitudes of university students toward organ donation and transplantation were low. Saving a life was the most common reason for supporting organ donation, and knowledge was the biggest obstacle. Online sources and social networks were the primary sources of knowledge. The attitude was greatly influenced by knowledge. Organizing campaigns, and events, and incorporating organ donation and transplantation into university curricula will increase university students’ knowledge and attitudes.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a global public health issue. Although Oman reduced the burden of tuberculosis (TB) by 85% in under 25 years, the annual incidence rate remains stagnant. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is used to investigate the transmission dynamics of MTB complex. This study aimed to resolve traditional genotype clusters and exploring the geospatial distribution to understand the epidemiology of TB in Oman. Methods: Confirmed cases with spoligotyping clusters were randomly selected. WGS of 70 isolates were selected for final analysis. Correlation of epidemiological and geospatial data was conducted. Results: A total of 233 cases were registered in 2021; 169 had confirmed growth, with an incidence rate of 5.2/100,000 population for 2021. A total of 70 genomes were analyzed, and five large clusters and three medium clusters were identified. The lineages L1, L2, L3, and L4 and several sublineages belonging to the Indo-Oceanic family and East African Indian family were identified as predominant in Oman. There were no multidrug-resistant cases identified. Conclusion: There is a considerable genetic variation among the strains in Oman. This predominance could be linked with the high percentage of non-national population, which represents different countries and frequent traveling to high TB burden countries. WGS combined with geospatial investigations of MTB are required to better understand the disease transmission in Oman, which will support TB elimination efforts.

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to determine the proportions and predictors of late presentation (LP) and advanced HIV disease (AD) in Oman. LP and AD were defined as presenting with a baseline CD4 count of

ABSTRACT: 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. Results: In total, 17,457 participants were surveyed. Thirty percent were female and 66.3% were Omani. There was a significant increase in seroprevalence throughout the study cycles, from 5.5% (4.8–6.2%) in Cycle 1 to 22% (19.6–24.6%) in Cycle 4. There was no difference in seroprevalence between genders, but significant differences were found between age groups. There was a transition of seroprevalence from being higher in non-Omanis than Omanis in Cycle 1 [9.1% (7.6–10.9%) vs 3.2% (2.6–3.9%)] to being higher in Omanis than non-Omanis in Cycle 4 [24.3% (21.0–27.9%) vs 16.8% (14.9–18.9%)]. There was remarkable variation in the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 according to governorate. Close contacts of people with COVID-19 had a 96% higher risk of having the disease [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.96, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.64–2.34]. Labourers had 58% higher risk of infection compared with office workers (AOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.04–2.35). Conclusion: This study showed a wide variation in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 across governorates in Oman, with higher estimated seroprevalence in migrants in the first two cycles. Prevalence estimates remain low and are insufficient to provide herd immunity.

Mucormycosis is a rare, severe fungal infection mainly affecting immunocompromised individuals. Because of limited data on its epidemiology in Oman, we present this national, multicentric, retrospective review that includes all cases of proven mucormycosis between 2006 and 2022 in Oman. There were 51 cases of mucormycosis reported in Oman. The annual incidence of mucormycosis was 0.38–0.69 cases per million population before COVID-19. During the pandemic, the incidence rose significantly to 1.76 in 2020, 5.31 in 2021, then decreased to 0.87 per million population in 2022. Diabetes was observed in 82.4% (n = 42) of the cases, COVID-19 in 47.1% (n = 24), and other chronic diseases in 72.6%. The use of steroids was reported in 33.3% (n = 17) and many patients (64.7%, n = 33) had multiple risk factors. The overall mortality rate was 41.2% (n = 21) and most deaths occurred within a month of diagnosis. Mortality rate among patients diagnosed with COVID-19 was 58.3% (14/24). Survival analysis showed a statistically significant association between COVID-19 status and patient survival (p = 0.024). Annual incidence of mucormycosis in Oman rose during the pandemic. This study highlights the epidemiological features of mucormycosis and emphasizes the importance of its inclusion in the national notifiable communicable diseases priority list as well as the importance of enhancing diagnostic capacities to detect and improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Mortality surveillance provides a crucial method for monitoring disease activity. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause excess mortality both directly and indirectly by increasing deaths from other diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on mortality in Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective analysis of mortality data from 1 January 2015 to 16 August 2020 was undertaken. Baseline mortality estimated using the Farrington flexible model and excess mortality were calculated for the pandemic period (16 March–16 August 2020) according to cause of death, place of death and age group. Results: During the pandemic period, there was a 15% [95% confidence interval (CI) 14–17] increase in all-cause mortality from baseline. When classifying by cause, there was a 9% (95% CI 5–12) increase in deaths due to respiratory diseases, a 2% (95% CI 1–4) increase in deaths due to infectious diseases and a 9% (95% CI 8–11) increase in unclassified deaths. In terms of place of death, 12% (95% CI 11–14) of excess mortality occurred in hospitals and 7% (95% CI 5–8) occurred in homes during the pandemic period. Patients aged >60 years recorded a 15% (95% CI 13–16) increase in all-cause mortality during this period. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a 15% increase in all-cause mortality in Oman, mainly as a result of deaths from COVID-19. However, unclassified deaths, deaths due to respiratory diseases and deaths due to infectious diseases have also increased, enforcing the need for a holistic approach and appropriate coordination of health services during such health crises.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been proven to be lethal to human health, which affects almost every corner of the world. The objectives of this study were to add context to the global data and international genomic consortiums, and to give insight into the efficiency of the contact tracing system in Oman. Methods: We combined epidemiological data and whole-genome sequence data from 94 samples of SARS-CoV-2 in Oman to understand the origins, genetic variation, and transmissibility. The whole-genome size of sequence data was obtained through a customized SARS-COV-2 research panel. Amplifier methods ranged from 26 Kbp to 30 Kbp and were submitted to GISAID. Findings: The study found that P323L (94.7%) is the most common mutation, followed by D614G (92.6%) Spike protein mutation. A unique mutation, I280V, was first reported in Oman and was associated with a rare lineage, B.1.113 (10.6%). In addition, the study revealed a good agreement between genetic and epidemiological data. Interpretation: Oman’s robust surveillance system was very efficient in guiding the outbreak investigation processes in the country, the study illustrates the future importance of molecular epidemiology in leading the national response to outbreaks and pandemics.

Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological profiles of HIV-infected Omani children before and after the implementation of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme. Methods: A retrospective review of HIV-infected children seen at a national paediatric HIV unit between 1992 and 2015 was performed. Results: Ninety-one HIV-infected children were identified; 59 (65%) were ≤5 years of age at diagnosis, with 28 (47.5%) of these being

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) (von Recklinghausen’s disease) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by café-au-lait spots, pigmented hamartomas of the iris, and multiple neurofibromas. Patients can present with hemorrhage secondary to trauma or rarely with spontaneous hemorrhage, both of which can be lethal and life-threatening. We report a 14-year-old girl with a rapidly expanding hematoma in a rare presentation of spontaneous bleed into the NF1 lesion in her scalp. Soon after presentation, she went into hemorrhagic shock. Emergency coiling of the left maxillary artery and branches successfully arrested the bleeding, while resuscitation reversed the hemorrhagic shock.

We present a glimpse of vascular malformations seen at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital from July 2014 to December 2019. The cases are sporadic in nature. Molecular genetic studies can be conducted in patients with a family history of vascular malformations. Cultural practices relating to dress codes may lead to delays in presentation. A diagnostic/management algorithm about vascular malformations would help healthcare professionals diagnose, counsel, and refer appropriately, and a national registry would further enhance research and patient support groups.

Despite the apparent challenges inflicted by COVID-19 globally, the pandemic provided an opportunity to utilize and expand existing public health capacities for a more adaptive and resilient system during and after each wave of the disease. This paper provides a narrative review of Oman's public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic from January 2020 to July 2021, and the challenges it faced for a more rapid and efficient response. The review demonstrates that the three main pillars influencing the direction of the pandemic and aiding the control are Oman's unified governmental leadership, the move to expand the capacity of the health care system at all levels, and community partnership in all stages of the response including the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The opportunities identified during response stages in the harmonization of the multisectoral response, streamlining communication channels, addressing vulnerable communities (dormitories, residences at border regions), and providing professional technical leadership provide an excellent precursor for expediting the transformation of Oman's health care system to one with a multisectoral holistic approach. Some of the major challenges faced are the shortage of the public health cadre, lack of a fully integrated digital platform for surveillance, and the scarcity of experts in risk communication and community engagement. A future health system where the center for diseases surveillance and control acts as a nucleus for multisectoral expertise and leadership, which includes community representatives, is crucial to attain optimum health. The destruction inflicted by this prolong COVID-19 pandemic at all levels of human life had valued the importance of investing on preventive and preparedness strategies.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to detect the anatomical variations of the saphenous fascia (SF) around the great saphenous vein (GSV) in the Omani population and compare it to published studies in other populations. The extent of the SF has been documented to vary between certain populations. There are no such studies from the Arabian Gulf population. Methods: Following ethical approval, bilateral lower limbs of 100 consecutive consenting volunteers at our tertiary care university hospital were scanned using an ultrasound scan. The GSV was traced from the groin to ankle, and the point of exit from the SF was noted. Results: The results showed that the majority of the Omani population had a SF ending at the upper thigh (39.5%). The next most common location was at the mid-thigh (26.5%). Conclusions: This study found that the course of the GSV within the SF can differ between populations. This has important implications in the pathophysiology and endovenous treatment options offered to Omani patients seeking treatment for varicose veins.

Objective: Does systematic surveillance help improve arteriovenous fistula (AVF) patency and health economics in renal failure patients? Materials and Methods: As part of a quality initiative project, prospective data were maintained in the electronic medical records at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital by our clinical nurse specialist, of AVFs created for patients requiring renal replacement therapy from December 2015. Beginning in January 2018, a surveillance program of patients undergoing intervention to improve patency of AVF was started. The records of these patients up to December 31, 2019, were accessed to see if the program helped improve patency, thereby reducing the number of emergency admissions and improving health economics. The minimum follow-up period was 8 weeks. Results: A total of 143 patients had AVFs created during the study period. Fifty-one patients required fistulogram with or without fistuloplasty. Thirty-six out of 51 (70%) fistulas remain patent, whereas 9 (18%) thrombosed and 6 (12%) were either lost to follow-up or deceased. The number presenting to the emergency department reduced by 50%. In addition, we observed a noticeable reduction in the number of emergency procedures required to sustain the fistula. Both duration of in-hospital stay and repetitive investigations were reduced. Conclusion: A surveillance program requires liaising with the patient, their relatives, local health center, regional dialysis unit, interventional radiology, nephrology, and vascular surgery team. We have seen a significant reduction in emergency interventions, increase in overall patency rate of AVFs, shorter in-patient hospital stays, and a decrease in number of laboratory investigations repeated.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected Omani patients and to assess the potential risk factors in this group. Methodology: This was a single-center, cross-sectional study. All patients attending the infectious disease clinic between July 2017 and March 2018 were included in the study; their peripheral pulses were examined and pre- and postexercise ankle–brachial pressure index (ABPI) was measured. Normal ABPI was considered as being in the range of 1.0 ± 0.1, and a reduction of >15% postexercise ABPI was considered as a cutoff limit to define PAOD. The Edinburgh Claudication Questionnaire was answered by all patients, and CD4 count, viral load, albumin and Vitamin D (25-OH) levels, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22. Results: Eighty-eight patients who were retroviral positive were enrolled in the study. Fifty-three (60.2%) patients were male and 35 (39.8%) were female, with a mean age of 43 years (24–71). The dorsalis pedis artery pulsation was absent bilaterally in 3 (3.4%) patients. None of the patients had a history of claudication; 1 (1.1%) had an abnormal ABPI; 17 (19.2%) had a reduction of >15% postexercise ABPI; 7 (8%) had CD4 count

Background: Eating disorders are complex illnesses with serious long-term consequences. They are linked to negative outcomes such as miscarriage, low birth weight, and other obstetric and postpartum difficulties. Our study in Muscat, Oman, examines the eating habits of pregnant women who consult primary care physicians. In this study, our aim is to identify key sociodemographic factors linked with eating disorders in Oman. Method: We used the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire to assess the potential for the presence of eating disorders. Chi-Square and Fisher's Exact tests were used to analyze relationships between improper eating behavior and independent variables. Results: The study showed that 1.6% of participants had a potential diagnosis of an eating disorder, with the most common inappropriate behavior being binge eating at a prevalence of 18.8%. A pre-gestational low Body Mass Index (BMI) was associated with a higher prevalence of binge eating during pregnancy. Additionally, we found that pregnant women who were working were more prone to self-induced vomiting. High BMI before pregnancy was significantly associated with various inappropriate eating behaviors, such as restraint behavior (p = 0.000), shape concern (p = 0.000), weight concern (p = 0.040), eating (p = 0.045), laxative use (p = 0.020), and excessive exercise (p = 0.043). Conclusion: The study reveals a high prevalence of eating disorders in pregnancy. Less educated women exhibit higher laxative use, while working women show more instances of binge eating and self-induced vomiting. These findings emphasize the critical need to prioritize targeted interventions and support for vulnerable pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a disease with potentially serious consequences. The clinical presentation and outcomes of these patients have not been described in Oman. We sought to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with CVST. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study in two tertiary care centers in Oman, which included all Omani adults with radiologically confirmed CVST. We recorded and analyzed patients’ demographic, clinical, and outcome data. Results: Fifty-four patients had radiologically confirmed CVST. The commonest presenting feature was headache (85.0%), followed by focal motor deficits (48.0%) and seizures (27.0%). In this cohort, 24.0% were pregnant or postpartum, 11.0% had an inherited thrombophilia, 11.0% were on hormonal therapy, and 11.0% had systemic lupus erythematous; 38.9% of patients had multiple sinus thrombosis while 35.2% had sigmoid and transverse sinus thrombosis. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and infection accounted for 7.0% and 13.0% of causes, respectively, while cancer accounted for 2.0%. No cause was identified in 33.0% of cases. Only 1.9% of patients died, while 29.6% had a residual neurological deficit at hospital discharge. Age was a predictor for residual neurological deficit (p =0.003). Conclusions: Pregnancy and postpartum were the most common predisposing factors for CVST in our cohort. Although the mortality rate is low, the risk of residual neurological deficit remains high. We recommend a prospective study for better characterization and outcome assessment.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to move at record speed. Health systems and hospitals worldwide face unprecedented challenges to effectively prepare and respond to this extraordinary health crisis and anticipated surge. Hospitals should confront these unparalleled challenges with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, coordinated, and organized strategy. We report our experience with the systematic application of the “4S” principle to guide our institutional preparedness plan for COVID-19. We used an innovative “virtual interdisciplinary COVID-19 team” approach to consolidate our hospital readiness.

Objectives: We sought to identify the epidemiological characteristics of the first case series of patients with COVID-19 in Oman. Methods: We included national surveillance data of patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 from 24 February to 17 April 2020. Analyses were performed using descriptive and univariate statistics. Results: Of the 1304 patients studied, the mean age was 37.0±13.0 years old, 80.3% were males, and 35.8% were Omanis. The other mostly affected nationalities were Indian (29.1%), Bangladeshi (20.0%), and Pakistani (10.7%). Out of the total, 80.1% were from the Muscat governorate. Omani patients were significantly more likely to be males than females and aged between 20 and 59 years old (p < 0.001). On presentation, 95.9% cases were mild, 3.6% moderate, and 0.5% severe. The case fatality rate was 0.5%. All deaths were from Muscat governorate; four from Mutrah, one from A'Seeb, and one from Bawshar. Conclusions: This case series provides epidemiological characteristics as well as the early outcomes of patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19.

The involvement of the internal carotid artery in dissecting aneurysm is rarely reported in the literature and may occur as a complication of trauma, surgery, and other medical conditions. We report a case of a 22-year-old male who was involved in a motor vehicle accident with associated multiple orthopedic and maxillofacial fractures. During surgical management, the patient was incidentally diagnosed with a dissecting aneurysm involving the right internal carotid artery.

Context: The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adults from the Sultanate of Oman is unknown. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of IDA and latent iron deficiency (ID) in students admitted to a university hospital. Settings and Design: This is a prospective, cross-sectional cohort study. Subjects and Methods: In asymptomatic university students, blood samples were obtained for blood counts and iron status after obtaining consent. Students who were found to have IDA or ID were given oral iron therapy for a minimum of 3 months to study the response to treatment. Statistical Analysis Used: Student's t-test (continuous variables) and Chi-square test (categorical variable) were used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age + standard deviation was 21 + 1.3 years with a range from 17 to 29 years in 350 students, with 274 students being females (78.8%). Using the World Health Organization criteria, 91 (26%), 133 (38%), and 126 (36%) students, respectively, were classified as IDA, ID, and normal. HPLC showed that 28 students had sickle cell trait (HbS: 26%–35%), and one each had sickle cell disease (HbS 92%), Hb C trait (31%), Hb D trait (30%), Hb E trait (19%), and delta gene variant (HbA2 – 1.6%). Among the students who received treatment (52 IDA and 20 ID), Hb, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and serum ferritin showed statistically significant improvement after oral iron therapy (P < 0.001, paired Student's t-test). Conclusions: The prevalence of IDA was 26% and that of ID was 38%, with a preponderance of females.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiology of ocular trauma at Al-Nahdha Hospital in Muscat, Oman. METHODS: Medical records of all cases of ocular trauma which presented to the Emergency Department at Al-Nahdha Hospital and were seen by the ophthalmology service from January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013 (6 months) were reviewed to collect data on ocular trauma according to the world Eye Injury Initial form which uses the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology System. RESULTS: There were 27,951 patients seen at the Emergency Department and 611 of which were ocular trauma cases (cumulative incidence 2.2% [confidence interval 2.0–2.4]). The mean age of the patients was 23 years and males comprised the majority of the cases (72%). Thirty-two patients had bilateral injury giving a total of 643 eyes injured. More than half of all injuries were caused by either blunt or large sharp objects. The cornea was the most frequently injured tissue (49%), but most injuries were minor in nature. More than three quarters (77%) of all eyes had a visual acuity of 0.3 (LogMAR) or better on presentation. There were 35 eyes (6%) with open globe injuries (OGI) and three-quarters of them occurring in the manual laborers. CONCLUSION: Ocular trauma is a common presentation at Al-Nahdha Hospital. Although the majority of trauma cases were minor without any resultant visual disability, OGI could have been prevented with better ocular protection in the workplace.

Introduction: Invasive species have been identified as a major threat to native biodiversity and ecosystem functioning worldwide due to their superiority in spread and growth. Such superiority is explained by the invasional meltdown phenomena, which suggests that invasive species facilitate the establishment of more invasive species rather than native species by modifying the plant-soil feedback (PSF). Methods: We conducted a two-phase plant-soil feedback experiment using the native Prosopis cineraria and the invasive Prosopis juliflora in Oman. Firstly, we conditioned the soil by planting seedlings of native species, invasive species, native and invasive species “mixed”, and unconditioned soil served as a control. Secondly, we tested the feedback of these four conditioned soil on the two species separately by measuring the productivity (total biomass) and the performance in the form of plant functional traits (plant height, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf nitrogen content (Nmass), leaf carbon content (Cmass) and specific root length (SRL) of native and invasive species as well as the nutrient availability in soil (soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (STN)). Results and discussion: We found that the native species produced more biomass, best performance, and higher SOC and STN when grown in soil conditioned by native species, additionally, it gave lower biomass, reduced performance, and lower SOC and STN when grown in the soil conditioned by invasive and mixed species. These results suggest negative PSF for native species and positive PSF for invasive species in the soil conditioned by invasive species, which can be considered as red flag concerning the restoration of P. cineraria as an important native species in Oman, as such positive PSF of the invasive species P. juliflora will inhibit the regeneration of P. cineraria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Oman experienced the H1N1 pandemic in 2009 that initially started in Mexico and the United States. We present the epidemiology, clinical features, and outcome of cases admitted to Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients admitted with confirmed influenza A H1N1 infection from August to December 2009. The study included adults and pediatric patients. We looked at the clinical and laboratory factors associated with increased length of hospital stay. Results: There were 68 patients admitted with influenza A H1N1 infection, and their median age was 23 years. The most common symptoms were fever (100%) and cough (79.4%). The most common reason for admission was the severity of illness (69.1%). Lymphopenia was the most common hematological abnormality (41.8%). All patients received treatment with oseltamivir. One patient died secondary to multi-organ failure. On multivariate analysis, severity of illness, use of steroids, anemia, lymphopenia, and abnormal alanine amino transferase levels were associated with increased length of stay. Conclusions: The H1N1 pandemic in Oman followed the international trends in terms of clinical presentation and laboratory values for patients admitted to the hospital.

Objectives: To assess the quality of life (QoL) of medical residents enrolled in the various postgraduate programs of the Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB). Methods: The data for this cross-sectional study was collected from January to June 2022. All postgraduate residents who were enrolled in all 19 OMSB training programs were targeted. An online English version of the validated 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess the participants' self-reported QoL. Results: The participants were 425 OMSB residents (mean age = 29.6±2.2 years), of whom 289 (68.0%) were female, 259 (60.9%) were married, and 295 (69.4%) were enrolled in medical specialties. Overall, female residents reported significantly poorer QoL than male residents in all subscales of SF-36 (p = 0.001). Married residents reported lower bodily pain scores than unmarried residents (p = 0.005), although the latter endorsed better physical functioning, general health, and mental health. Residents in laboratory specialties had higher scores than those in medical and surgical specialties in most QoL dimensions including physical health, role functioning, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, bodily pain, and general health (p ≤ 0.003). Psychiatry residents reported the lowest overall QoL. Conclusions: Postgraduate medical residents in Oman reported significant variations in QoL based on specialization, gender, and marital status. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to tackle health inequalities and improve the QoL of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candida auris has emerged in the past decade as a multi-drug resistant public health threat causing health care outbreaks. Here we report epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological investigations of a C. auris outbreak in a regional Omani hospital between April 2018 and April 2019. The outbreak started in the intensive care areas (intensive care unit (ICU), coronary care unit (CCU), and high dependency unit) but cases were subsequently diagnosed in other medical and surgical units. In addition to the patients’ clinical and screening samples, environmental swabs from high touch areas and from the hands of 35 staff were collected. All the positive samples from patients and environmental screening were confirmed using MALDI-TOF, and additional ITS-rDNA sequencing was done for ten clinical and two environmental isolates. There were 32 patients positive for C. auris of which 14 (43.8%) had urinary tract infection, 11 (34.4%) had candidemia, and 7 (21.8%) had asymptomatic skin colonization. The median age was 64 years (14−88) with 17 (53.1%) male and 15 (46.9%) female patients. Prior to diagnosis, 21 (65.6%) had been admitted to the intensive care unit, and 11 (34.4%) had been nursed in medical or surgical wards. The crude mortality rate in our patient’s cohort was 53.1. Two swabs collected from a ventilator in two different beds in the ICU were positive for C. auris. None of the health care worker samples were positive. Molecular typing showed that clinical and environmental isolates were genetically similar and all belonged to the South Asian C. auris clade I. Most isolates had non-susceptible fluconazole (100%) and amphotericin B (33%) minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), but had low echinocandin and voriconazole MICs. Despite multimodal infection prevention and control measures, new cases continued to appear, challenging all the containment efforts.

Bowel herniation, through fascial defects secondary to laparoscopic surgery at the site of trocar entry, is a rare, but potentially serious, complication. Closure of the fascia at port sites measuring 10mm or more has been highly recommended to avoid such complications. We report a case of a small bowel which herniated and strangulated through the port site immediately after laparoscopic myomectomy. Resection of the strangulated bowel with primary anastomosis was required to manage this complication. We present this case report with literature review to discuss the risk factors and the methods to prevent such a complication post laparoscopic surgery.

In spite of the prominence of research on social responsibility teaching as a skill for today, managing social responsibility in foreign language teaching settings is still not a very well explored territory, and the ESP classroom is not an exception. The purpose of this paper is to report on a study that examined the ways social responsibility is integrated into ESP classrooms as perceived by the teachers, with a particular focus on their considerations of socially responsible pedagogy that can potentially contribute to students’ linguistic and sociocultural advancement. The study used qualitative interviews with 43 English language teachers from Oman’s higher education institutions who shared their understanding of social responsibility and how it is incorporated and addressed in their credit and foundation ESP courses. Data analysis was conducted using a method of rhizo-textual analysis (Honan, 2007). Findings reveal that teachers place social responsibility high in terms of its ethical value and importance for students' future employability. They also indicate that despite the perceived importance, administrative support, ESP curriculum content development, and implementation, social responsibility is on average moderately managed in the ESP classrooms due to a lack of social responsibility perspective in some pre-service teaching courses and in-service professional development, perceived issues with time, design and implementation of in-class and extra-curricular activities. The findings of this research contribute to the literature about the importance of social responsibility and direct further developments, leading to effective social responsibility teaching and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]