Surveillance of adverse events following immunization: 10 years' experience in Oman

A descriptive record-based review of adverse events following immunization [AEFI] was carried out in Oman using the national database for the period 1996-2005. A total of 790 adverse event reports were received with an annual rate during the review period of 33.7 per 100000 population or 10.8 per 100000 doses administered. There were no reported deaths. The most frequently reported AEFI were BCG adenitis [69.7 per 100000 doses] and local reactions [3.6 per 100000 doses respectively]. The statistically significant higher rates among males, in children aged > 2 years and in some sparsely populated regions of Oman need further research. AEFI rates in Oman were similar or below the international averages

Spina bifida and birth outcome before and after fortification of flour with iron and folic acid in Oman

This paper presents the trend of spina bifida and other neural tube defects in Oman after the nationwide implementation of folate supplementation of pregnant women in 1990 and the fortification of wheat flour with iron and folate in 1996. The annual incidence of spina bifida fluctuated from 2.34 to 4.03 per 1000 deliveries between 1991 and 1996, but fell sharply to 2.11 per 1000 deliveries in 1997, after which the downward trend continued, reaching 0.29 per 1000 deliveries by 2006. The rate of other neural tube defects remained almost constant. The reduction in spina bifida rates in Oman could be linked to the start of flour fortification but not the supplementation programme

Implications of the use of the new WHO growth charts on the interpretation of malnutrition and obesity in infants and young children in Oman

We examined the difference in the prevalence estimates of the outcome indicators for the new World Health Organization [WHO] child growth standard reference [WHO 2006] and the National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS]/WHO reference using the National Protein-Energy Malnutrition Survey dataset. Based on the NCHS/WHO reference, overall prevalence estimates of underweight, wasting, stunting and overweight were 17.8%, 7.4%, 10.9% and 1.3% compared to 11.3%, 7.6%, 13.0% and 1.9% respectively calculated according to the WHO 2006 reference: stunting and overweight showed statistically significantly higher estimates, whereas underweight was statistically significantly lower. The differences were not consistent across age groups

Outcome of azithromycin treatment of active trachoma in Omani schoolchildren

A prospective cohort study was made of 386 first-grade primary-school children in Oman with active trachoma and 386 matched controls without trachoma. All children were educated about trachoma prevention. In addition, trachoma cases were treated with a single dose of oral azithromycin [20 mg/kg]. Trachoma status was evaluated after 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months. The follicles and inflammatory signs of active trachoma resolved 6 weeks or more after azithromycin treatment. The protection against subsequent trachoma infection cycles was optimal at 6 months [85.2% of cases, 99.0% of controls infection-free] but declined at 12 months [66.7% of cases, 98.2% of controls infection-free]. Clinical evaluation seems to be a useful tool to evaluate the response of azithromycin to active trachoma cases in schoolchildren in a country with limited resources

Body fat distribution and the risk of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the Omani population

Anthropometric measures of overall and central obesity as predictors of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM] risk were studied. Data for 4728 Omanis were taken from the 1991 National Diabetes Survey. Diabetes mellitus was assessed using a 2-hour post glucose load. After adjusting for age, sex, family history of diabetes, physical activity and blood pressure, body mass index [BMI] was positively associated with increased risk of diabetes mellitus. Controlling for BMI and other potential confounders, waist-to-hip ratio and waist circumference were positively associated with increased risk of diabetes mellitus. Waist measurement [alone or with hip circumference] is a simple and independent tool for assessing the risk of NIDDM