Self-reported knowledge of diabetes among high school students in Al-Amerat and Quriyat, Muscat Governate, Oman

Type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] is emerging as one of the world's greatest health problems, and its incidence and prevalence are increasing at an alarming rate and globally reaching epidemic proportions. With this increasing incidence, emphasis is now being placed on implementing primary prevention, early detection, and educational prevention programmes. This study was undertaken to estimate the level of knowledge of T2DM among high school students and to explore the factors influencing the knowledge of T2DM. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four secondary schools in two wilayats [districts] of Muscat governate, Oman, namely Al-Amerat and Quriyat. The study was conducted using a validated English questionnaire covering all aspects of T2DM in one-to-one interviews. A scoring system was used to assess the students' knowledge. Of the 541 students enrolled in the study [45% male and 55% female], only 24% achieved a score of over 10 out of 20. The key areas of poor knowledge were wrong perceptions about diabetic meals [73%], and the possibility of a cure for diabetes [63%]. Overall poor knowledge levels about T2DM were found among school students. National efforts and school health-based interventions are highly recommended to increase awareness about diabetes among this age group

Prevalence of depressive symptoms among university students in Oman

To study the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its association with gender, academic year, and college among university students in Oman. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Omani students attending the students' clinic of the Sultan Qaboos University [SQU]. A systematic sampling of students, males and females, from different colleges, who visited the clinic during the study period, was carried out. The self-administered Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9] was used to screen for propensity to depression. A total of 481 students participated in the study [243 males and 238 females]. Overall, 133 [27.7%] of the participants [66 males and 67 females] had depression of various grades based on the PHQ-9 diagnostic criteria using a cut point of more than 11. Depression score at the cut point of 11 was not statistically associated with gender, college and the academic year. Tendency for depression might be a common health problem among college students in Oman attending primary health care facilities. Further research on socio-demographic characteristics and the effect of depression on the academic performance is needed

diagnostic yield of thyroid function tests and their cost-effectiveness in the student clinic at Sultan Qaboos University: retrospective chart review

To assess the significance of requesting thyroid function tests [TFT] and their cost effectiveness for specific and non-specific symptoms of thyroid disease in a specific population in Oman. A retrospective chart review study was conducted in the student clinic at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman in the year 2007-2008. It included all patients [N=319] of both sexes for whom TFTs were requested. The patients' main complaints and the final diagnoses were collected from their medical records. The most common presentations for which TFTs were requested were irregular periods [n=82]; fatiguability [n=49], palpitations [n=39]; weight changes [n=22]; hair changes [n=20]; sensation of heat and cold [n=18]; diarrhoea and constipation [n=13], and neck swelling [n=13].The most common diagnoses reached in relation to these complaints were polycystic ovarian syndrome [n=51]; iron deficiency anaemia [n=42]; anxiety and depression [n=11]; thyroid disease [n=18], and no specific diagnosis [n=193]. The percentage of thyroid diseases among females [7.1%] compared to males [1.2%] was statistically significant [P <0.05]. Thyroid disease accounted for 61.5% of those patient with neck swelling, 7.7% of those with palpitations, 4.1% of those with fatigue, 3% of those with other complaints, and 1.2% of those with irregular periods. The cost of the tests was around 20,000 US dollars. TFT is necessary for those presenting with neck swelling, but restraint should be used in administering the test for those complaining of palpitations or fatigue. Additionally, irregular periods have little link with TFT abnormality