ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study aimed to identify the prevalence of antenatal depression and the risk factors associated with its development among Omani women. No previous studies on antenatal depression have been conducted in Oman
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between January and November 2014 in Muscat, Oman. Pregnant Omani women >/=32 gestational weeks who were attending one of 12 local primary care health centres in Muscat for routine antenatal care were invited to participate in the study [n = 986]. An Arabic version of the validated self-administered Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale questionnaire was used to measure antenatal depression. A cut-off score of >/=13 was considered to indicate probable depression
Results: A total of 959 women participated in the study [response rate: 97.3%]. Of these, 233 were found to have antenatal depression [24.3%]. A bivariate analysis showed that antenatal depression was associated with unplanned pregnancies [P = 0.010], marital conflict [P = 0.001] and a family history of depression [P = 0.019]. The adjusted odds ratio [OR] after logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that antenatal depression was significantly associated with unplanned pregnancies [OR: 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.86] and marital conflict [OR: 13.83; 95% CI: 2.99-63.93]
Conclusion: The prevalence of antenatal depression among the studied Omani women was high, particularly in comparison to findings from other Arab countries. Thus, antenatal screening for depression should be considered in routine primary antenatal care. Couples should also be encouraged to seek psychological support should marital conflicts develop during pregnancy
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Sickle cell disease [SCD] is a global health concern associated with high childhood morbidity and mortality; in Oman, the prevalence of SCD is 0.2%. Public awareness of SCD and the need for premarital screening [PMS] are essential to reduce the incidence of this disease. This study aimed to assess awareness of and beliefs regarding SCD and PMS among Omanis in a primary healthcare setting
Methods: This cross-sectional study took place in five health centres located in Al-Seeb Province, Muscat, Oman, between June and August 2015. A total of 500 Omanis aged >/=18 years old attending the clinics were invited to participate in the study. A previously described questionnaire by Gustafson et al. was used to measure awareness of and beliefs regarding SCD and PMS
Results: A total of 450 Omani adults completed the questionnaire [response rate: 90.0%]. The majority [67.8%] were aware that SCD is genetically inherited and 85.1% believed in the value of PMS; however, only 24.4% reported having undergone PMS previously. Few participants were aware that SCD can be very painful [20.2%] and can cause strokes, infections and organ damage [20.0%]. More than half [56.7%] reported that the availability of educational material on SCD or PMS in Oman was inadequate. Participants' education levels were positively associated with accurate SCD knowledge [P <0.05]
Conclusion: Despite the free availability of PMS services in local health centres, few Omanis reported having undergone PMS previously. Health promotion and education programmes are therefore needed in Oman in order to increase public awareness of SCD and the value of PMS
ABSTRACT
Objectives: This audit aimed to investigate the use of prescription drugs and investigations by trainee doctors in primary care settings in Oman and the UK
Methods: This audit took place between February and April 2015. The medical records of consecutive patients seen by five family medicine trainee doctors at a primary care setting in Oman were retrospectively reviewed. These data were compared to those gathered from two trainees at a general practice clinic in the UK as well as an experienced general practitioner [GP] who had practiced in both countries
Results: The average number of items prescribed per patient was 1.19, 0.43 and 0.24 and the rate of investigations was 20%, 21% and 11% for Omani trainees, UK trainees and the GP, respectively
Conclusion: This audit suggests that family medicine trainees in Oman prescribe almost three times as many drugs as trainees in the UK. The findings also point towards an over-investigation of the relatively young Omani patient population