ABSTRACT
Objectives: Sleepiness and fatigue play significant roles in exacerbating the occurrence of car crashes.However, there is a dearth of studies examining the prevalence of sleepiness while driving among Omanis. This study aimed
to determine the proportion of young Omani adults who confess to daytime sleepiness while driving and to investigate associations between gender, daytime sleepiness and risk of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome [OSAS]
Methods: This cross-sectional study took place at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between May and July 2014 and included 600 young adult Omani non-commercial drivers. The Berlin Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS] were distributed among the participants, along with additional questions about their sleeping habits. Associations between daytime sleepiness while driving and nocturnal sleep duration, risk of OSAS and gender were determined
Results: A total of 492 private vehicle drivers took part in the study [response rate: 82%], of which 50.4% were male. Overall, 124 Omanis [25.2%] reported experiencing daytime sleepiness while driving at least once per month. There was a significant association between nocturnal sleep duration of <6 hours and sleepiness while driving [P = 0.042]. Female participants were significantly more likely to score >10 on the ESS, indicating a greater propensity for daytime sleepiness [P = 0.006].However, male drivers were significantly more likely to report sleepiness while driving [P = 0.001]
Conclusion: Sleepiness while driving was common among young male drivers in Oman and might be due to nocturnal sleep deprivation. Further studies are needed so that preventative measures can be developed
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] and specific parental risk factors that may contribute to the development of ADHD in children
Methods: The study was conducted in Oman among fourth-grade students [aged nine to 10 years]. A standardized Arabic version of the National Initiative for Children's Health Quality Vanderbilt Assessment Scale [Teachers questionnaire] was used to determine the presence of ADHD. Parental factors such as socioeconomic status, education, and occupation were documented
Results: The prevalence rate of ADHD was 8.8%. Poor maternal education status, low familial socioeconomic status, and paternal occupation were significantly associated with an increased risk of ADHD
Conclusions: This was the first study that examined familial and parental characteristics of children with ADHD as potential risk factors for the condition. Such psychosocial factors could be employed to further the development of more proficient preventative measures and remedial services
ABSTRACT
Pathways to care or care-seeking, which translate into healthcare utilization, have been investigated in many parts of the world, but there is a dearth of studies in the Arabian Gulf. The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of attendees at primary healthcare centres in northern Oman and their reasons for visiting. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 676 participants attending 12 primary healthcare centres between June and July 2006. The catchment area was selected to represent the population structure in Oman. The 12-item questionnaire was read to every fifth eligible patient entering each healthcare centre for a routine appointment. Analyses were conducted using univariate statistics. About a third [n = 200; 29.6%] of the participants had a history of chronic illness; 231 [34%] were on regular medications; 211 [31%] were taking part in health education programmes; 130 [19%] were open to complementary medicine. The majority of the participants mentioned physician's advice [n = 570; 84%] as the strongest reason for seeking consultation. Conversely, physician's advice was strongly related to particular demographic factors. This observational study identified some characteristics and reasons for visiting healthcare facilities in northern Oman. These are discussed within the context of prevailing sociocultural factors. The implications for the prevention and detection of ill health in Oman are also discussed