Smoking in Oman: prevalence and characteristics of smokers

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 [>/= 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

Clustering of cardiovascular risk factors among Omani adults

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

Distribution and correlates of total impaired fasting glucose in Oman

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

community-based study of common hereditary blood disorders in Oman

We assessed the prevalence of three common hereditary blood disorders [sickle-cell and beta-thalassaemia traits and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency] among the Omani population. We interviewed a representative sample of 6103 Omani households and blood samples from 6342 children aged 0-5 years were collected. About 27% of Omani males had inherited glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency [compared with 11% of females] while countrywide prevalence rates for the sickle-cell and beta-thalassaemia traits were estimated to be 5.8% and 2.2% respectively and showed no significant gender differences. There was a significant association between all three disorders and region of the country