The study aimed to describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components among Om... more The study aimed to describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components among Omani adults. The 2008 Oman World Health Survey dataset was used to determine the national prevalence of MS. Logistic regression using all key sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural variables was used to identify the associations of independent variables with MS. The age-adjusted prevalence of MS was 23.6%. MS was significantly associated with age, marital and work status and wealth level. MS was more common for people aged 50 years and older compared to the youngest cohort (OR 3.6, CI: 2.4-5.3; P <0.001) and in people who were married or employed (OR 1.6, CI: 1.3-2.1; P <0.001 and OR 1.3, CI: 1.1-1.8; P = 0.043, respectively) compared to their unmarried and unemployed counterparts. MS was also more common in people in the second lowest wealth quintile (OR 1.6, CI: 1.2-2.2; P = 0.05) compared to the lowest quintile and in those who sat for more than six hours per day (OR 1.3, CI:...
The Oman World Health Survey (OWHS) is community-based household survey conducted in first half o... more The Oman World Health Survey (OWHS) is community-based household survey conducted in first half of 2008 for Omani and non-Omani population aged 18 years and above. It is a part of the World Health Survey (WHS) series which was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a means to compile comprehensive information on the health of populations in different countries. A multi-stage stratified cluster sampling was designed to select about 5000 eligible subjects 18 years and above. The main objectives of the survey were to determine the national prevalence of Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity, Lipoproteins, Anemia, Visual ability and Cognitive functions. Among Omanis, the prevalence of Hypertension (40.3%), Diabetes Mellitus (12.3%), Obesity using BMI (24.1%), Total cholesterol (33.6%), Anemia in males 20% and in non-pregnant females was 32.2%. In Oman, the increase in lifestyle-related non communicable diseases has emerged as new health challenges to the country which ne...
The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) highlighted the presence of w... more The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) highlighted the presence of wide variations in asthma prevalence between and within countries. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in the prevalence of asthma and its symptoms across the different regions of Oman. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted as part of ISAAC phases I (1995) and III (2001) in two age groups (6-7 and 13-14 years) from nation-wide samples of Omani school children, with 7,067 participants in 1995 (3,893 young and 3,174 older group) and 7,879 participants in 2001 (4,126 young and 3,753 older group). Over the period of six years, the Sharqiya (Eastern) region continued to have the highest prevalence of self-reported asthma diagnosis and all asthma symptoms in both age groups, with a significant increase in the prevalence of wheeze in the past 12 months (from 8.7% to 13.8%; p=0.002) and asthma diagnosis (from 13.8% to 17.8 %; p=0.046) in the young group, and a significant incr...
To determine the level of gynecological morbidities and other related morbidities; and to examine... more To determine the level of gynecological morbidities and other related morbidities; and to examine the effect of women empowerment on the reproductive tract infections among currently married Omani women. This study is a part of the National Health Survey in the Sultanate of Oman, conducted between January and March 2000. The total number of households selected was 1968 with a total of 2037 ever-married women aged 15-49 years, of them 1662 were eligible to complete the gynecological morbidity symptoms questionnaire and to be clinically examined for gynecological morbidities. Despite the free facilities provided, one in every 4 women had reproductive tract infection and nearly half of the women suffer from at least one kind of gynecological disease. The prevalence of any sexually transmitted diseases was 4%, approximately 10% had combined genital prolapsed and 27% had cervical ectopy. Older women, education, work status, urban residence, heads of households, high economic status, and ...
This study evaluated changes in the prevalence of asthma symptoms and asthma severity in Omani sc... more This study evaluated changes in the prevalence of asthma symptoms and asthma severity in Omani school children over time. Two cross-sectional surveys, in 1995 and 2001, were conducted as part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children on Omani schoolchildren in two different age groups (6-7 and 13-14 years). There were 7067 children surveyed in 1995 (3893 in the younger and 3174 in the older group) and 7879 in 2001 (4126 in the younger and 3753 in the older group). Over the 6 years there was a significant increase in the prevalence of current wheeze &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;any wheeze during the past 12 months&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; (from 7.1% to 8.4%; P = 0.035) in the younger group with no significant change in asthma diagnosis (10.5% vs 10.6%) or any other asthma symptoms. In the older group, all asthma symptoms remained unchanged except speech-limiting wheeze which declined from 4.0% to 2.8% (P = 0.007). In both surveys, more than 60% of current wheezers reported severe asthma symptoms, while only 60% of these reported a diagnosis of asthma. The prevalence of both asthma and severe asthma remains high among Omani children. There is significant &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;under-diagnosis&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; and/or &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;under-treatment&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; of asthmatic children which requires urgent evaluation and intervention.
Although asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema are among the most common chronic diseases in child... more Although asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema are among the most common chronic diseases in children worldwide, there is very limited information about the burden of these conditions in Oman. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in Omani schoolchildren using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase I questionnaire. An Arabic version of the ISAAC Phase I questionnaire was completed by parents of 3893 children aged 6-7 years and self-completed by 3174 children aged 13-14 years, randomly selected from a nationwide sample of public schools. The prevalence rates of reported diagnoses of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema were higher in older children (20.7%, 10.5% and 14.4% compared with 10.5%, 7.4% and 7.5%, respectively, in young children). In young children, 277 were current wheezers and of these 40.8% had sleep-disturbing wheeze at least once a week and 45.1% had speech-limiting wheeze during the past year. Similarly, 283 older children were current wheezers, and of these 30.0% had sleep-disturbing wheeze at least once a week and 37.5% had speech-limiting wheeze during the past year. Exercise-induced wheeze was higher in older children (19.2% vs 6.9%; P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001). Allergic rhinitis and eczema were also associated with significant sleep disturbance and limitation of activity in both age groups. Allergic conditions in Omani schoolchildren are common and associated with significant morbidity. Further research is required to identify the local risk factors for allergy to allow better understanding and management of these conditions.
To examine the relation between age, education, residence and fertility rate and change in fertil... more To examine the relation between age, education, residence and fertility rate and change in fertility rate between 1994/95 and 1999/2000. The data for the study was extracted from the Oman National Health Survey, 2000. The birth histories data was used to extract data on woman years and births in the periods 1990 to 1994 and 1995 to 2000. The marital fertility rate in 1999/2000 was 7.12 births. The rates for rural and urban dwellers were 8.07 and 6.75 respectively in 1999/2000. Corresponding rates in 1994/95 (8.65, 8.30 and 9.69 respectively) were significantly higher than those in 1999/2000 for all categories, indicating a reduction in rates. In both periods the higher the education level of the mother the lower her fertility. Education was a strong determinant of fertility. This study confirms that the higher the education of the woman the lower her fertility and that fertility is on the decline in Oman.
Rapid improvements have been occurring in public health and in individual health status in the Su... more Rapid improvements have been occurring in public health and in individual health status in the Sultanate of Oman as a result of the 5-year health development plans that have been implemented since 1976, and also because of accelerated socioeconomic progress. A nationwide health survey was conducted in 1995 as part of the Gulf Family Health Project of the Council of Health Ministers of GCC States. This paper describes the survey methodology used and the results. In the process of rapid epidemiologic transition currently occurring in the country the survey results provide a perspective of public health in the Sultanate of Oman.
To determine the prevalence of dental caries in Omani 6-year-old children. Clinical caries cross-... more To determine the prevalence of dental caries in Omani 6-year-old children. Clinical caries cross-sectional survey, conducted by 16 trained and calibrated dentists. Omani primary schools in December 1994. 3,114 subjects, randomly selected to achieve an overall 6.6 per cent sample of Omani 6-year-old children. Caries diagnosis based solely on clinical examination in accordance with criteria of British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry. Only 484 subjects (15.5 per cent) were caries-free; regional variations ranging from 4.4 per cent to 31 per cent. Overall, the national dmft averaged 4.61; the majority of caries experienced being in the form of untreated decay, with occlusal surfaces of first primary molars being the most commonly involved site. Compared with results from a survey of Omani 12-year-old children in 1993, a much smaller proportion of this 6-year-old sample were caries free, emphasising the need for continuance of existing, and the development of further, pr...
This study reports the first ever national oral health survey of Omani 12-year-olds. Conducted in... more This study reports the first ever national oral health survey of Omani 12-year-olds. Conducted in October 1993, of the 3,435 children examined, 1,438 (41.9%) were caries-free, although regional variations ranged from 24.8% to 61.9%. Overall, the national DMFT averaged 1.53, the majority of caries experienced being in the form of untreated decay, with occlusal surfaces of first permanent molars being the most commonly involved site. Oral hygiene was poor, only 11% of those examined being scored as plaque-free.
Rapid improvements have been occurring in public health and in individual health status in the Su... more Rapid improvements have been occurring in public health and in individual health status in the Sultanate of Oman as a result of the 5-year health development plans that have been implemented since 1976, and also because of accelerated socioeconomic progress. A nationwide ...
This study aimed to investigate trends in the estimated 10-year risk for developing cardiovascula... more This study aimed to investigate trends in the estimated 10-year risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) among adults with diagnosed diabetes in Oman. In addition, the effect of hypothetical risk reductions in this population was examined. Data from 1,077 Omani adults aged ≥40 years with diagnosed diabetes were collected and analysed from three national surveys conducted in 1991, 2000 and 2008 across all regions of Oman. The estimated 10-year CVD risk and hypothetical risk reductions were calculated using risk prediction algorithms from the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), Diabetes Epidemiology Collaborative Analysis of Diagnostic Criteria in Europe (DECODE) and World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) risk tools. Between 1991 and 2008, the estimated 10-year risk of CVD increased significantly in the total sample and among both genders, regardless of the risk prediction algorithm that was used. Hypothetical risk reduction models f...
Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ, 2010
The nutritional needs of the ageing population require special attention. We undertook a cross-se... more The nutritional needs of the ageing population require special attention. We undertook a cross-sectional, community-based, household survey in Nizwa wilayat, Oman to study nutrition-related knowledge and beliefs and self-reported dietary habits among a sample of elderly people. The response rate for the household interview was 99.3% from a total sample of 2041. About 45% of the elderly were overweight or obese. Overall we found poor knowledge of nutrition plus some nutritional imbalances and low levels of physical activity. Significant sex differences existed in elderly peoples' nutritional knowledge, consumption of fluids, milk and sweets, use of dietary regimens and experience of appetite change. The findings warrant reorientation of the existing health promotion strategy for the elderly.
Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ, 2006
We used the self-reported 27-item Child Depression Inventory to investigate the rate and correlat... more We used the self-reported 27-item Child Depression Inventory to investigate the rate and correlates of depressive symptoms among 5409 secondary school adolescents in Oman. Being female was a significant predictor of adolescent depression in bivariate analysis, but adjusting to other predictors in multivariate analysis, it was no longer a significant independent risk factor. History of mental illness, high score in negative health locus of control, low score in positive health locus of control, not taking breakfast, poor relationship with family members, friends and teachers and physical abuse during adolescence significantly predicted depressive symptoms in the logistic regression model. Having a hobby and never dropping a class were protective variables.
The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association, 2002
International studies have reported increased prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular... more International studies have reported increased prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors, Our aim was to study the distribution and the correlates of hypertension (HTN - systolic or diastolic) in a community based survey (National Health Survey, 2000). A cross-sectional survey of the health status of Omani community was designed. Face to face interview including demographic data, blood pressure measurement, fasting blood glucose and serum cholesterol, weight, height, waist and hip measurement for 7011 Omani subjects with a response rate ranging between about 83% (for fasting blood glucose) to about 91% (for blood pressure measurement). The crude prevalence of HTN was 33.1%, while the age-adjusted prevalence was 38.3%. Older age groups, male gender, lower level of education, non- working, hypercholestremia, being married, obese, smoker, or having abnormal Waist Hip Ratio (WHR), or Total Impaired fasting glucose (TIFG) were found to be associated with hypertensio...
Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ
To determine the distribution and correlates of clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk f... more To determine the distribution and correlates of clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, data from the Oman National Health Survey, 2000 were analysed. Based on demographic data (blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol, weight, height, waist and hip measurements), 5660 subjects were grouped according to how many of four CVD risk factors (hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight/obesity) they had. We found that 72% of subjects had less than one risk factor and 2% had all four. Older age exacerbated risk, while living in rural areas or being single was protective. Metabolic cardiovascular syndrome is a public health problem in Oman. Increasing awareness in healthcare providers and the wider population by comprehensive dissemination of the survey results is crucial.
Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ
We carried out a cross-sectional survey to study the prevalence and the characteristics of curren... more We carried out a cross-sectional survey to study the prevalence and the characteristics of current and former smoking among Omani adults. Crude prevalence of current smoking was 7.0% (males 13.4%, females 0.5%); 2.3% were former smokers. The overall highest prevalence of current smoking (11.1%) was observed in those 40-49 years (18.7% of males, 0.9% of females). Older age (> or = 40 years), higher educational level and larger family size were protective against smoking. Mean age for starting smoking was 18.7 years for males and 24.3 years for females. Although smoking prevalence is low in Oman, prevention should be addressed in health education programmes, with the emphasis on heightening awareness in adolescents. Government action, e.g. tobacco taxation, clean air laws and bans on advertising, is also recommended.
Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ, 2003
To determine the distribution and correlates of total impaired fasting glucose in Oman, we conduc... more To determine the distribution and correlates of total impaired fasting glucose in Oman, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1968 households with 7011 eligible residents in 2000. During face-to-face interviews, demographic data, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol, weight, height and waist and hip measurements were obtained. Of 5788 subjects tested for total impaired fasting glucose (response rate: 83%), crude prevalence was 17.3% and age-adjusted prevalence was 20.3%. Associated factors in bivariate analysis were older age, male gender, lower education, hypercholesterolaemia, being married, obesity, abnormal waist to hip ratio and hypertension. Total impaired fasting glucose is a significant public health problem in Oman. Increasing the awareness of health care providers and community through health education is crucial.
The study aimed to describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components among Om... more The study aimed to describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components among Omani adults. The 2008 Oman World Health Survey dataset was used to determine the national prevalence of MS. Logistic regression using all key sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural variables was used to identify the associations of independent variables with MS. The age-adjusted prevalence of MS was 23.6%. MS was significantly associated with age, marital and work status and wealth level. MS was more common for people aged 50 years and older compared to the youngest cohort (OR 3.6, CI: 2.4-5.3; P <0.001) and in people who were married or employed (OR 1.6, CI: 1.3-2.1; P <0.001 and OR 1.3, CI: 1.1-1.8; P = 0.043, respectively) compared to their unmarried and unemployed counterparts. MS was also more common in people in the second lowest wealth quintile (OR 1.6, CI: 1.2-2.2; P = 0.05) compared to the lowest quintile and in those who sat for more than six hours per day (OR 1.3, CI:...
The Oman World Health Survey (OWHS) is community-based household survey conducted in first half o... more The Oman World Health Survey (OWHS) is community-based household survey conducted in first half of 2008 for Omani and non-Omani population aged 18 years and above. It is a part of the World Health Survey (WHS) series which was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a means to compile comprehensive information on the health of populations in different countries. A multi-stage stratified cluster sampling was designed to select about 5000 eligible subjects 18 years and above. The main objectives of the survey were to determine the national prevalence of Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity, Lipoproteins, Anemia, Visual ability and Cognitive functions. Among Omanis, the prevalence of Hypertension (40.3%), Diabetes Mellitus (12.3%), Obesity using BMI (24.1%), Total cholesterol (33.6%), Anemia in males 20% and in non-pregnant females was 32.2%. In Oman, the increase in lifestyle-related non communicable diseases has emerged as new health challenges to the country which ne...
The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) highlighted the presence of w... more The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) highlighted the presence of wide variations in asthma prevalence between and within countries. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in the prevalence of asthma and its symptoms across the different regions of Oman. Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted as part of ISAAC phases I (1995) and III (2001) in two age groups (6-7 and 13-14 years) from nation-wide samples of Omani school children, with 7,067 participants in 1995 (3,893 young and 3,174 older group) and 7,879 participants in 2001 (4,126 young and 3,753 older group). Over the period of six years, the Sharqiya (Eastern) region continued to have the highest prevalence of self-reported asthma diagnosis and all asthma symptoms in both age groups, with a significant increase in the prevalence of wheeze in the past 12 months (from 8.7% to 13.8%; p=0.002) and asthma diagnosis (from 13.8% to 17.8 %; p=0.046) in the young group, and a significant incr...
To determine the level of gynecological morbidities and other related morbidities; and to examine... more To determine the level of gynecological morbidities and other related morbidities; and to examine the effect of women empowerment on the reproductive tract infections among currently married Omani women. This study is a part of the National Health Survey in the Sultanate of Oman, conducted between January and March 2000. The total number of households selected was 1968 with a total of 2037 ever-married women aged 15-49 years, of them 1662 were eligible to complete the gynecological morbidity symptoms questionnaire and to be clinically examined for gynecological morbidities. Despite the free facilities provided, one in every 4 women had reproductive tract infection and nearly half of the women suffer from at least one kind of gynecological disease. The prevalence of any sexually transmitted diseases was 4%, approximately 10% had combined genital prolapsed and 27% had cervical ectopy. Older women, education, work status, urban residence, heads of households, high economic status, and ...
This study evaluated changes in the prevalence of asthma symptoms and asthma severity in Omani sc... more This study evaluated changes in the prevalence of asthma symptoms and asthma severity in Omani school children over time. Two cross-sectional surveys, in 1995 and 2001, were conducted as part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children on Omani schoolchildren in two different age groups (6-7 and 13-14 years). There were 7067 children surveyed in 1995 (3893 in the younger and 3174 in the older group) and 7879 in 2001 (4126 in the younger and 3753 in the older group). Over the 6 years there was a significant increase in the prevalence of current wheeze &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;any wheeze during the past 12 months&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; (from 7.1% to 8.4%; P = 0.035) in the younger group with no significant change in asthma diagnosis (10.5% vs 10.6%) or any other asthma symptoms. In the older group, all asthma symptoms remained unchanged except speech-limiting wheeze which declined from 4.0% to 2.8% (P = 0.007). In both surveys, more than 60% of current wheezers reported severe asthma symptoms, while only 60% of these reported a diagnosis of asthma. The prevalence of both asthma and severe asthma remains high among Omani children. There is significant &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;under-diagnosis&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; and/or &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;under-treatment&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; of asthmatic children which requires urgent evaluation and intervention.
Although asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema are among the most common chronic diseases in child... more Although asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema are among the most common chronic diseases in children worldwide, there is very limited information about the burden of these conditions in Oman. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in Omani schoolchildren using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase I questionnaire. An Arabic version of the ISAAC Phase I questionnaire was completed by parents of 3893 children aged 6-7 years and self-completed by 3174 children aged 13-14 years, randomly selected from a nationwide sample of public schools. The prevalence rates of reported diagnoses of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema were higher in older children (20.7%, 10.5% and 14.4% compared with 10.5%, 7.4% and 7.5%, respectively, in young children). In young children, 277 were current wheezers and of these 40.8% had sleep-disturbing wheeze at least once a week and 45.1% had speech-limiting wheeze during the past year. Similarly, 283 older children were current wheezers, and of these 30.0% had sleep-disturbing wheeze at least once a week and 37.5% had speech-limiting wheeze during the past year. Exercise-induced wheeze was higher in older children (19.2% vs 6.9%; P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001). Allergic rhinitis and eczema were also associated with significant sleep disturbance and limitation of activity in both age groups. Allergic conditions in Omani schoolchildren are common and associated with significant morbidity. Further research is required to identify the local risk factors for allergy to allow better understanding and management of these conditions.
To examine the relation between age, education, residence and fertility rate and change in fertil... more To examine the relation between age, education, residence and fertility rate and change in fertility rate between 1994/95 and 1999/2000. The data for the study was extracted from the Oman National Health Survey, 2000. The birth histories data was used to extract data on woman years and births in the periods 1990 to 1994 and 1995 to 2000. The marital fertility rate in 1999/2000 was 7.12 births. The rates for rural and urban dwellers were 8.07 and 6.75 respectively in 1999/2000. Corresponding rates in 1994/95 (8.65, 8.30 and 9.69 respectively) were significantly higher than those in 1999/2000 for all categories, indicating a reduction in rates. In both periods the higher the education level of the mother the lower her fertility. Education was a strong determinant of fertility. This study confirms that the higher the education of the woman the lower her fertility and that fertility is on the decline in Oman.
Rapid improvements have been occurring in public health and in individual health status in the Su... more Rapid improvements have been occurring in public health and in individual health status in the Sultanate of Oman as a result of the 5-year health development plans that have been implemented since 1976, and also because of accelerated socioeconomic progress. A nationwide health survey was conducted in 1995 as part of the Gulf Family Health Project of the Council of Health Ministers of GCC States. This paper describes the survey methodology used and the results. In the process of rapid epidemiologic transition currently occurring in the country the survey results provide a perspective of public health in the Sultanate of Oman.
To determine the prevalence of dental caries in Omani 6-year-old children. Clinical caries cross-... more To determine the prevalence of dental caries in Omani 6-year-old children. Clinical caries cross-sectional survey, conducted by 16 trained and calibrated dentists. Omani primary schools in December 1994. 3,114 subjects, randomly selected to achieve an overall 6.6 per cent sample of Omani 6-year-old children. Caries diagnosis based solely on clinical examination in accordance with criteria of British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry. Only 484 subjects (15.5 per cent) were caries-free; regional variations ranging from 4.4 per cent to 31 per cent. Overall, the national dmft averaged 4.61; the majority of caries experienced being in the form of untreated decay, with occlusal surfaces of first primary molars being the most commonly involved site. Compared with results from a survey of Omani 12-year-old children in 1993, a much smaller proportion of this 6-year-old sample were caries free, emphasising the need for continuance of existing, and the development of further, pr...
This study reports the first ever national oral health survey of Omani 12-year-olds. Conducted in... more This study reports the first ever national oral health survey of Omani 12-year-olds. Conducted in October 1993, of the 3,435 children examined, 1,438 (41.9%) were caries-free, although regional variations ranged from 24.8% to 61.9%. Overall, the national DMFT averaged 1.53, the majority of caries experienced being in the form of untreated decay, with occlusal surfaces of first permanent molars being the most commonly involved site. Oral hygiene was poor, only 11% of those examined being scored as plaque-free.
Rapid improvements have been occurring in public health and in individual health status in the Su... more Rapid improvements have been occurring in public health and in individual health status in the Sultanate of Oman as a result of the 5-year health development plans that have been implemented since 1976, and also because of accelerated socioeconomic progress. A nationwide ...
This study aimed to investigate trends in the estimated 10-year risk for developing cardiovascula... more This study aimed to investigate trends in the estimated 10-year risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) among adults with diagnosed diabetes in Oman. In addition, the effect of hypothetical risk reductions in this population was examined. Data from 1,077 Omani adults aged ≥40 years with diagnosed diabetes were collected and analysed from three national surveys conducted in 1991, 2000 and 2008 across all regions of Oman. The estimated 10-year CVD risk and hypothetical risk reductions were calculated using risk prediction algorithms from the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), Diabetes Epidemiology Collaborative Analysis of Diagnostic Criteria in Europe (DECODE) and World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) risk tools. Between 1991 and 2008, the estimated 10-year risk of CVD increased significantly in the total sample and among both genders, regardless of the risk prediction algorithm that was used. Hypothetical risk reduction models f...
Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ, 2010
The nutritional needs of the ageing population require special attention. We undertook a cross-se... more The nutritional needs of the ageing population require special attention. We undertook a cross-sectional, community-based, household survey in Nizwa wilayat, Oman to study nutrition-related knowledge and beliefs and self-reported dietary habits among a sample of elderly people. The response rate for the household interview was 99.3% from a total sample of 2041. About 45% of the elderly were overweight or obese. Overall we found poor knowledge of nutrition plus some nutritional imbalances and low levels of physical activity. Significant sex differences existed in elderly peoples' nutritional knowledge, consumption of fluids, milk and sweets, use of dietary regimens and experience of appetite change. The findings warrant reorientation of the existing health promotion strategy for the elderly.
Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ, 2006
We used the self-reported 27-item Child Depression Inventory to investigate the rate and correlat... more We used the self-reported 27-item Child Depression Inventory to investigate the rate and correlates of depressive symptoms among 5409 secondary school adolescents in Oman. Being female was a significant predictor of adolescent depression in bivariate analysis, but adjusting to other predictors in multivariate analysis, it was no longer a significant independent risk factor. History of mental illness, high score in negative health locus of control, low score in positive health locus of control, not taking breakfast, poor relationship with family members, friends and teachers and physical abuse during adolescence significantly predicted depressive symptoms in the logistic regression model. Having a hobby and never dropping a class were protective variables.
The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association, 2002
International studies have reported increased prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular... more International studies have reported increased prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors, Our aim was to study the distribution and the correlates of hypertension (HTN - systolic or diastolic) in a community based survey (National Health Survey, 2000). A cross-sectional survey of the health status of Omani community was designed. Face to face interview including demographic data, blood pressure measurement, fasting blood glucose and serum cholesterol, weight, height, waist and hip measurement for 7011 Omani subjects with a response rate ranging between about 83% (for fasting blood glucose) to about 91% (for blood pressure measurement). The crude prevalence of HTN was 33.1%, while the age-adjusted prevalence was 38.3%. Older age groups, male gender, lower level of education, non- working, hypercholestremia, being married, obese, smoker, or having abnormal Waist Hip Ratio (WHR), or Total Impaired fasting glucose (TIFG) were found to be associated with hypertensio...
Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ
To determine the distribution and correlates of clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk f... more To determine the distribution and correlates of clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, data from the Oman National Health Survey, 2000 were analysed. Based on demographic data (blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol, weight, height, waist and hip measurements), 5660 subjects were grouped according to how many of four CVD risk factors (hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight/obesity) they had. We found that 72% of subjects had less than one risk factor and 2% had all four. Older age exacerbated risk, while living in rural areas or being single was protective. Metabolic cardiovascular syndrome is a public health problem in Oman. Increasing awareness in healthcare providers and the wider population by comprehensive dissemination of the survey results is crucial.
Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ
We carried out a cross-sectional survey to study the prevalence and the characteristics of curren... more We carried out a cross-sectional survey to study the prevalence and the characteristics of current and former smoking among Omani adults. Crude prevalence of current smoking was 7.0% (males 13.4%, females 0.5%); 2.3% were former smokers. The overall highest prevalence of current smoking (11.1%) was observed in those 40-49 years (18.7% of males, 0.9% of females). Older age (> or = 40 years), higher educational level and larger family size were protective against smoking. Mean age for starting smoking was 18.7 years for males and 24.3 years for females. Although smoking prevalence is low in Oman, prevention should be addressed in health education programmes, with the emphasis on heightening awareness in adolescents. Government action, e.g. tobacco taxation, clean air laws and bans on advertising, is also recommended.
Eastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de santé de la Méditerranée orientale = al-Majallah al-ṣiḥḥīyah li-sharq al-mutawassiṭ, 2003
To determine the distribution and correlates of total impaired fasting glucose in Oman, we conduc... more To determine the distribution and correlates of total impaired fasting glucose in Oman, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1968 households with 7011 eligible residents in 2000. During face-to-face interviews, demographic data, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol, weight, height and waist and hip measurements were obtained. Of 5788 subjects tested for total impaired fasting glucose (response rate: 83%), crude prevalence was 17.3% and age-adjusted prevalence was 20.3%. Associated factors in bivariate analysis were older age, male gender, lower education, hypercholesterolaemia, being married, obesity, abnormal waist to hip ratio and hypertension. Total impaired fasting glucose is a significant public health problem in Oman. Increasing the awareness of health care providers and community through health education is crucial.
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Papers by A. Riyami