Health workforce planning: an overview and suggested approach in Oman

In most countries, the lack of explicit health workforce planning has resulted in imbalances that threaten the capacity of healthcare systems to attain their objectives. This has directed attention towards the prospect of developing healthcare systems that are more responsive to the needs and expectations of the population by providing health planners with a systematic method to effectively manage human resources in this sector. This review analyses various approaches to health workforce planning and presents the Six-Step Methodology to Integrated Workforce Planning which highlights essential elements in workforce planning to ensure the quality of services. The purpose, scope and ownership of the approach is defined. Furthermore, developing an action plan for managing a health workforce is emphasised and a reviewing and monitoring process to guide corrective actions is suggested

Integrated management of childhood illness suggested initiative for Oman

Integrated Management of Childhood Illness [IMCI] is a strategy that aims to reduce child deaths, frequency and severity of illness, and disability among children in developing countries. The strategy involves not only curative care interventions but also those to promote healthy growth and development, and prevent diseases. The strategy addresses five major life-threatening conditions of childhood: acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea, measles, malaria and malnutrition. While the IMCI strategy clearly focuses on the diseases of childhood that cause the greatest burden, globally it allows for the content to be adapted to individual country needs. Effective IMCI requires an action at different levels of the health service and in the home and the community. It includes activities designed to improve: [a] the performance of health workers through the provision of guidelines on integrated management of childhood illness; [b] health system by ensuring the availability of essential drugs and other supplies; improving organisation of work at the health facility level and improving monitoring and supervision; and [c] family and community practices through education of child care-takers and members of the community. In spite of the major challenges concerned with the implementation of IMCI, it is considered a major positive step towards integration of child health services and adding value towards optimising the existing resources. Through improving the coordination and quality of services provided by existing child health programmes, the IMCI strategy will increase the effectiveness of care and at the same time reduce costs. It offers a model for improving one aspect of service delivery that could be applied to other aspects of health care. Finally, IMCI has the potential to make a major contribution to health system reform and, because it is one of the essential components of health services, should be taken into account early in the reform process

Intestinal parasitic infections, anemia and underweight among 6 years old school children in Al Hamra Willett, Oman

A parasitological survey was carried out on pupils enrolled in grade one primary schools in Al Hamra wilayat [Al Dakhliya region, Oman] during the school year 1996/97. Out of 386 pupils investigated, 121 [31.35%] were found to be infected with parasites. Among the positives, three species of parasites were detected: Giardia lamblia in 60.33% of the total specimens, Entamoeba histolytica in 33.88%, Hymenolepis nana in 2.48% and mixed infection in 3.31%. Boys were more heavily infected [34.78%] than girls [27.37%]. The prevalence of anemia [Hb < 12 g/dI] was very high [66.84%], especially among boys [71.98%] as compared with girls [60.89%]. Nearly one fifth of the pupils [18.39%] were suffering from anemia and parasitic infestation at the same time. Anemia was present in absence of parasitic infestation in 48.45% of pupils and the reverse occurred in 12.95%, while 20.21% were completely free from both ailments. The study revealed also that 24.87% of the pupils were underweight, of them 63.54% were girls. Parasitic infections and anemia were associated with underweight in 41.67% and 86.46% of pupils respectively. Health and nutrition education, early diagnosis and proper management as well as food fortification with iron can be effective means to overcome all these associated problems

Integrating school health services in Oman: the need for school health teachers and school-linked clinics

This study of school children admitted in hospitals in AI Dakhliya region was carried out during the school year 1995-96. The aim was to study some factors related to admission of pupils in hospitals. The school health doctors and nurses working in the region were interviewed also to know their views on the current school health services. The findings showed that there was adequate numbers of school health doctors and nurses, but there was inadequate communication between them and the school as well as hospital staff. The study revealed also that the school health team played a minor role as regards admission of school children in hospitals which was obviously affected by the school influence. Studying causes of admission of school children confirmed the relation to the age and sex of the pupils, their physiological needs as well as psychological risk factors. The study recommended diverting some of the responsibilities of the school health doctor and nurse to a trained school teacher in each school "School Health Teacher". In such a situation, the human resources can be directed towards investment in improved services for school children especially those who become sick. The study recommended also integrating school health services in primary health care activities through creation of school-linked clinics located at the nearest hospital or health centre where the school health doctor will work essentially as a primary health care physician offering integrated services to the school and community

Success factors in the CTA nutrition initiative in Oman

CTA nutrition iniative is the first community-.based health programme to be applied in Oman.The initiative started in AI Dakhliya region in January 1994, and aimed at achieving a sustainable improvement in child nutritional status through community-based growth monitoring of children under 5 years and nutrition education of mothers. The programme success factors are revealed in this paper in order to help inter-regional experience sharing as expansion of the initiative outside AI Dakhliya has already started. Useful insights as emerged from the programme experience in AI Dakhliya, which may be applicable to other community-based programmes are also discussed with particular emphasis on the future challenges the initiative may face until it becomes truly rooted in the whole community

Children with special educational needs: report from Al-Dakahliya region [Oman]

The cognitive functioning of 3024 randomly chosen Omani school children aged 6-14 years, who were enrolled in primary and intermediate schools in AI Dakhliya region in the academic school year 1995/96, were assessed using the standardized "Columbia Mental Maturity Scale".The aim was to study the magnitude of the problem of children who need special educational facilities.By applying the scale to the pupils, girls, generally, got higher IQ scores [112.75 +/- 20.69] compared to boys [110.46 +/- 21.50]. For the whole sample, the mean was 111.62 +/- 21.13.Intellectually subnormal children [IQ < 70] 'constituted 1.72% of the sample, while 17.39% showed superior intelligence [IQ scores> 130]. Stunting was more prevalent among intellectually subnormal pupils [19.23%] than among bright ones [9.7%] Among the intellectually subnormal pupils, 78.85% did not pass the mid-year school examination.The study revealed a significant correlation between IQ scores and scholastic achievement of the pupils in all ages and sex groups[r=0.55, P < 0.001]. Intelligence was not the only attribute, other factors were also blamed.Intelligence was not the only attribute in scholastic achievements, other factors also contribute. Recommendations are suggested for appropriate interventions

Childhood scabies: what is new in the old problems?

This study aimed to investigate the problem of scabies among pupils enrolled in primary schools in Nawag Village, Gharbia governorate. Out of 1337 pupils examined, 97 were confirmed as cases of scabies with a prevalence rate of 7.3%. Boys were more affected than girls [8.2% and 6.4%, respectively]. Other than Sarcoptes scabiei. Dermanyssus gallinae or Red Poultry Mite was isolated from one pupil and other members of his family. Scabies was found to be mainly transmitted outside schools. Close personal contact as well as infested finites could have been routes of scabies transmission