ABSTRACT
Epidemiological data on acute otitis media [AOM], an infectious disease frequently affecting children, are lacking in some countries. This study was undertaken to assess the incidence of AOM in children 5 years in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Pakistan, and Turkey, as well as the economic burden from a parent/caregiver perspective. Medical records of 4043 children [Saudi Arabia = 1023, Oman = 998, Pakistan = 1022, Turkey = 1000] were retrospectively reviewed and the incidence of AOM episodes calculated from suspected and confirmed cases. Using a standardized Health Economics Questionnaire, parents recorded resource use and expenses incurred per AOM episode [in local currency and converted to US dollars [USD]]. The overall incidence of AOM episodes per 1000 person-years was: Saudi Arabia, 207 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 178-238]; Oman, 105 [95% CI: 85-127]; Pakistan, 138 [95% CI: 116-163]; and Turkey, 99 [95% CI: 79-123]. The mean total out-of-pocket healthcare expense incurred by parents/caregivers per episode was: Saudi Arabia USD67.1 [standard deviation [SD] = 93.0], Oman USD16.1 [SD = 16.4], Pakistan USD22.1 [SD = 20.5], and Turkey USD33.6 [SD = 44.9]. The incidence of AOM episodes varied across all four countries, probably due to different diagnostic and management practices. Nevertheless, our results confirm that AOM causes a substantial burden to public health, reinforcing the need for cost-effective prevention strategies
ABSTRACT
Although the majority of travel-associated communicable diseases can be prevented, the public health burden of these diseases remains significant. Relatively little is known about how travelers know and perceive the health risks associatedwith the travel and how they utilize preventive measures before and while Travel medicine- traveling abroad. This study was conducted to determine the level of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices [KAP] of Muscat International Airport travelers about travel health in order to assess the knowledge gap and the need for travel health services in Oman. A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 1 week using a self-administered questionnaire. The overall level of knowledge about vaccine-preventable diseases, food safety, and preventive measures against insect bites of the participants was inadequate. The practice concerning preventive travel health measures, such as the use of specific immunizations and antimalarial prophylaxis, was very limited, and influenced by some personal and travel-related factors. The inadequate level of travelers' knowledge and poor utilization of travel medicine services highlights the need for the provisions of specialized travel medicine services at the national level and to develop educational materials promoting the importance of pre-travel health advice