impact of spectacle wear compliance on the visual function related quality of life of Omani students: a historical cohort study

Eye screening and refractive services to students are part of a school health initiative in Oman. We evaluated the impact of the compliance of spectacle wear on the vision related quality of life [VFQ] among 12-13 years old and 15-16 years old Omani students with refractive error. This historical cohort study was conducted in 2012. Students using spectacles and those not using spectacles after 1 year of prescribing/ providing spectacles were interviewed to assess their VFQ. The VQ 20 questionnaire with 5 graded close-ended responses was adopted for this purpose. The responses for the VFQ related to different visual functions of students who were/were not spectacle wear compliant, were compared. Our cohort had 124 students in each group. The overall VFQ was significantly higher among the compliant spectacle wearers [compliant group] compared with the non-complaint wearers [non-compliantgroup] [relative risk [RR] =4.7% [95%of the confidence interval [CI]: 2.8-6.6]]. The association of gender and the grade level was not significant [P > 0.05]. However, the variation of governorate was significantly associated to the difference of VFQ in both groups [x[2] = 16.6, degrees of freedom = 4, P = 0.0003]. The VFQ related to the near work [RR = 1.3] and school related activities [RR =1.3] was better in the compliant group. VFQ was better among those students who were spectacle wear compliant compared with those who were not. VFQ related to near work and school related activities seem to be the most influenced by spectacle wear compliance

Knowledge of primary prevention of diabetic retinopathy among general ophthalmologists, mid level eye care personnel and general physicians in Oman

We present the outcomes of knowledge of diabetes and associated ocular complications among personnel comprising the eye care team in Oman. A closed ended questionnaire was administered during November 2008 and November 2009 to eye care team members in six regions of Oman, where trainings were held. All participants of these trainings were included in our study. The questionnaire comprised 15 questions that tested the knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and its ocular complications. They circled the most suitable reply for a list of choices. The replies were compared with the gold standard [answers from a medical retina specialist, a diabetologist's and general ophthalmologists answers]. The participants were divided into two groups; acceptable [more than 50% score compared to gold standard] and less than desired [less than 50% score compared to gold standard.] We estimated the areas of acceptable level of knowledge in different subgroups. All 87 [100%] of eye care team members participated. Of the 42 general ophthalmologists, 30 [71.4%] had an acceptable level of knowledge about primary prevention, ideal blood sugar and blood pressure levels and complication of diabetes. The acceptable level of knowledge among mid level eye care providers and general physicians was found in 15 [54.5%] and 4 [33.3%] respondents respectively. Less than the desired number of participants of the eye care team had an acceptable level of knowledge about primary prevention, ideal blood sugar and blood pressure levels and complications of diabetes. The training of eye care personnel need to enhance knowledge in the weak areas is identified in this study

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding eye complications and care among Omani persons with diabetes - a cross sectional study

We present the level of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice [KAP] among diabetic patients regarding eye complications and their care. A cross sectional study was conducted in 2008 at seven regions of Oman. Arabic speaking nurses interviewed diabetics at clinics. They used a closed ended questionnaire with 15 questions. The responses were analyzed and the KAP were grouped into excellent [>80%], good [60 to 79%], average [40 to 59%], poor [20 to 39%] and very poor [<20%]. They were also compared among epidemiologic variants. Of the 750 participants, 'Excellent', grade of knowledge about diagnosis and eye care was present in 547 [72.9%] and 135 [18%] persons respectively. The 'excellent' grade of attitude about eye involvement and eye care was found in 135 [18%] and 224 [29.9%] participants. The practice for undergoing eye check up and accepting treatment was of 'excellent' grade in 390 [52%] and 594 [79.2%] respectively. Age [OR = 0.98], Sharqiya region [OR = 25] and '5 to 9' duration of DM [OR = 2.1] were associated with the knowledge. '<1 year' duration [OR = 0.3] and Dhakhiliya region [OR = 39] were associated with the attitude while '5 to 9 year' duration [OR = 3.4] was associated with better practices. Knowledge about eye complications and care is satisfactory among persons with diabetes. However, levels of attitude and practice were less than desired and should be improved. This could strengthen program approach for early detection and care of eye complications of diabetes in Oman

Hearing health practices and beliefs among over 20 year-olds in the Omani population

The objective of this study was to investigate hearing health practices and beliefs among people over 20 years old in the Omani population. This descriptive study was conducted in Oman during 2007-2008. Arabic speaking health staff interviewed a total of 598 selected people from urban and rural Oman and also industrial workers using a closed ended questionnaire with 15 questions. Participants' responses to the hearing practice related questions were graded into excellent [>/= 20 points], average [10 to 19] and poor [<10 points]. The responses to the questions about hearing beliefs were grouped into excellent [>/= 25 points], good [5 to 24], average [-4 to 4], poor [-24 to -5] and very poor [<-25] grades. We calculated the frequencies, percentage proportions and 95% confidence intervals of the different grades of beliefs and hearing practice. The rates were also compared among different subgroups. We performed regression analysis to identify predictors of good hearing practice and scientific beliefs. Among the 598 participants, an 'excellent' grade of hearing practice and belief was noted in 386 [64.5% [95% CI 60.7-68.4]] and average in 205 [34.3% [95% CI 29.5 - 37.1]]. Being in the 20 to 39 years age group [OR=1.67] and an urban resident [OR=0.53] were both predictors of an excellent grade of hearing practice, while male gender [OR=1.71] and illiteracy [OR=1.80] were predictors of scientific beliefs. We noted high levels of good hearing practice and low levels of modern scientific beliefs among Omani participants. The Ear Health Care program of Oman should focus on improving the knowledge about healthy hearing so that attitudes and hearing practices are improved and noise-induced hearing loss can be prevented or delayed

Eye and vision defects in under-five-year-old children in Oman: a public health intervention study

To identify under-five-year old children with vision or ocular defect in two provinces [Wilayats] of central Oman in 2006. Public health intervention study. Ocular examination in Manah Wilayat was conducted by nursing staff of the primary health center [PHC] and in Mudhaiby Wilayat was conducted by a trainee Omani optometrist Abnormal sized eyeball, strabismus nystagmus and white pupil were recorded. Visual acuity was tested by LOGMAR chart with Lea's symbols in children >2 years of age and preferential viewing was assessed by Lea's grating paddle or 'Hiding Heidi' picture in children /= 0.32 in 386/448 [86.2%] eyes. Preferential looking test suggested that half of the children had defective vision [>2cpcm]. Screening at '1-2 year' and '3-4 years' age group could significantly predict eye problems [P

Prevalence and pattern of alternative medicine use: the results of a household survey

Alternative medicine [AM] encompasses all forms of therapies that fall outside the mainstream of medical practice. Its popularity is on the increase. Because previous surveys were limited and not generalizable, we estimated the prevalence, pattern and factors associated with use of AM in the community. A multistage cluster cross-sectional household survey was conducted among Saudi residents of the Riyadh region. Data were collected in 2003 by trained interviewers from primary health care centers using a specially designed questionnaire. Of 1408 individuals participating in the study, 39% were men. The mean [ +/- SD] age for the study population was 35.5 [ +/- 13.9] years. Sixty-eight percent of the respondents had used AM during the last 12 months. The Holy Quran as a therapy was the most frequently used AM [50.3%], followed by honey [40.1%], black seed [39.2%] and myrrh [35.4%]. The health belief model was found to be the most important determinant of AM use. Factors independently associated with AM use included perceived failure of medical treatment, the perceived success of AM, a preference for natural materials, and long appointment intervals to see physicians. There is a high prevalence of AM use in the Riyadh region and the most important determinant of AM use was the perceived failure of medical treatment. The study results call for intensive health education campaigns in the media addressing wrong beliefs regarding AM and modern medicine. The popularity of AM in this community should alert decision makers to look at the difficult accessibility to the health system

Tibial exostoses presenting with deep vein thrombosis

A rare case of tibial exostosis causing deep vein thrombosis is presented. The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasonognaphy and venography Anticoagulants were given as treatment. The condition should be considered in any healthy young person presenting with lower limb pain. Surgical excision of the exostosis is recommended to avoid recurrence of the vascular problem

Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of childhood in Saudi Arabia Why does treatment fail?

To study the acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of childhood in Saudi Arabia and to evaluate the methods of treatment. The records of all children of 12 years and below admitted during a 2-year period with clinical and radiological evidence of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis were studied. Of the 128 children studied, the male to female ratio = 1.8:1. Pain and loss of function were the most common presenting features. Loss of function alone was the main clinical sign in the first four years of age. The tibia were involved in 36.7% of cases. Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 81% of the causative organisms. Nineteen patients progressed to chronic osteomyelitis. There was no significant difference between surgical and conservative treatment as regards to failure [p>0.05]. Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis of childhood is considered as one of the recognized health problems in Saudi Arabia. Prompt institution of the proper therapy is essential at the early stage of this curable disease