Trends in the risk for cardiovascular disease among adults with diabetes in Oman

This study aimed to investigate trends in the estimated 10-year risk for developing cardiovascular disease [CVD] among adults with diagnosed diabetes in Oman. In addition, the effect of hypothetical risk reductions in this population was examined. Data from 1,077 Omani adults aged >/=40 years with diagnosed diabetes were collected and analysed from three national surveys conducted in 1991, 2000 and 2008 across all regions of Oman. The estimated 10-year CVD risk and hypothetical risk reductions were calculated using risk prediction algorithms from the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation [SCORE], Diabetes Epidemiology Collaborative Analysis of Diagnostic Criteria in Europe [DECODE] and World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension [WHO/ISH] risk tools. Between 1991 and 2008, the estimated 10-year risk of CVD increased significantly in the total sample and among both genders, regardless of the risk prediction algorithm that was used. Hypothetical risk reduction models for three scenarios [eliminating smoking, controlling systolic blood pressure and reducing total cholesterol] identified that reducing systolic blood pressure to

Metabolic syndrome and its components secondary analysis of the world health survey, Oman

The study aimed to describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome [MS] and its components among Omani adults. Methods: The 2008 Oman World Health Survey dataset was used to determine the national prevalence of MS. Logistic regression using all key sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural variables was used to identify the associations of independent variables with MS. Results: The age-adjusted prevalence of MS was 23.6%. MS was significantly associated with age, marital and work status and wealth level. MS was more common for people aged 50 years and older compared to the youngest cohort [OR 3.6, CI: 2.4-5.3; P <0.001] and in people who were married or employed [OR 1.6, CI: 1.3-2.1; P <0.001 and OR 1.3, CI: 1.1-1.8; P = 0.043, respectively] compared to their unmarried and unemployed counterparts. MS was also more common in people in the second lowest wealth quintile [OR 1.6, CI: 1.2-2.2; P = 0.05] compared to the lowest quintile and in those who sat for more than six hours per day [OR 1.3, CI: 1.1-1.7; P - 0.035]. Conclusion: One in four adults had MS in Oman. This may fuel the epidemic of non-communicable diseases [NCDs] in Oman, particularly given the increasingly elderly population. Urgent action is required to ensure quality patient care at all levels of the healthcare system. Further research on behavioural risk factors is needed. Developing and implementing a multisectoral strategy to prevent NCDs should be at the top of the current health agenda for Oman

Oman world health survey: part 1 - methodology, sociodemographic profile and epidemiology of non-communicable diseases in Oman

The Oman World Health Survey [OWHS] is community-based household survey conducted in first half of 2008 for Omani and non-Omani population aged 18 years and above. It is a part of the World Health Survey [WHS] series which was developed by the World Health Organization [WHO] as a means to compile comprehensive information on the health of populations in different countries. A multi-stage stratified cluster sampling was designed to select about 5000 eligible subjects 18 years and above. The main objectives of the survey were to determine the national prevalence of Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity, Lipoproteins, Anemia, Visual ability and Cognitive functions. Among Omanis, the prevalence of Hypertension [40.3%], Diabetes Mellitus [12.3%], Obesity using BMI [24.1%], Total cholesterol [33.6%], Anemia in males 20% and in non-pregnant females was 32.2%. In Oman, the increase in lifestyle-related non communicable diseases has emerged as new health challenges to the country which need to be addressed

How to prepare a research proposal

Health research, medical education and clinical practice form the three pillars of modern day medical practice. As one authority rightly put it: "Health research is not a luxury, but an essential need that no nation can afford to ignore". Health research can and should be pursued by a broad range of people. Even if they do not conduct research themselves, they need to grasp the principles of the scientific method to understand the value and limitations of science and to be able to assess and evaluate results of research before applying them. This review paper aims to highlight the essential concepts to the students and beginning researchers and sensitize and motivate the readers to access the vast literature available on research methodologies

national study of gynecological morbidities in Oman. effect of women's autonomy

To determine the level of gynecological morbidities and other related morbidities; and to examine the effect of women empowerment on the reproductive tract infections among currently married Omani women. This study is a part of the National Health Survey in the Sultanate of Oman, conducted between January and March 2000. The total number of households selected was 1968 with a total of 2037 ever-married women aged 15-49 years, of them 1662 were eligible to complete the gynecological morbidity symptoms questionnaire and to be clinically examined for gynecological morbidities. Despite the free facilities provided, one in every 4 women had reproductive tract infection and nearly half of the women suffer from at least one kind of gynecological disease. The prevalence of any sexually transmitted diseases was 4%, approximately 10% had combined genital prolapsed and 27% had cervical ectopy. Older women, education, work status, urban residence, heads of households, high economic status, and took their own decision about going to hospital, are significantly more empowered. Gynecological morbidity is highly prevalent among ever-married women. The contribution of the sexually transmitted diseases to the high prevalence of reproductive tract infection appears to be modest. Genital prolapse was one of the risk factors for reproductive tract infection, education as a proxy for women empowerment was a poor predictor for the occurrence of the diseases

study of fertility patterns of ever married women in Oman

To examine the relation between age, education, residence and fertility rate and change in fertility rate between 1994/95 and 1999/2000. The data for the study was extracted from the Oman National Health Survey, 2000. The birth histories data was used to extract data on woman years and births in the periods 1990 to 1994 and 1995 to 2000. The marital fertility rate in 1999/2000 was 7.12 births. The rates for rural and urban dwellers were 8.07 and 6.75 respectively in 1999/2000. Corresponding rates in 1994/95 [8.65, 8.30 and 9.69 respectively] were significantly higher than those in 1999/2000 for all categories, indicating a reduction in rates. In both periods the higher the education level of the mother the lower her fertility. Education was a strong determinant of fertility. This study confirms that the higher the education of the woman the lower her fertility and that fertility is on the decline in Oman

Reliability of Omani women's self-reporting of gynaecologic morbidities

To assess the agreement of women's self-reports of gynaecologic morbidities [reproductive tract infections, RTIs; genital prolapse, and urinary tract infections, UTIs], physician's observations and the final diagnosis of these conditions. Subjects and A nationally representative sample of 1,662 Omani women selected by a multi-stage, stratified probability-sampling procedure was included in the study. A questionnaire interview, physical and gynaecologic examination, and laboratory investigations were used. A total of 1,364 women completed all forms. The agreement between women's report of vaginal discharge and the diagnosis of RTI was poor. The sensitivity but not the specificity improved when the women were asked about specific discharge questions that upset them or are medically suspicious. Sensitivity of self-report in the diagnosis of genital prolapse and UTI from self-report was high but specificity was low. Conclusions: Self-report of vaginal discharge, coupled with clinical examination, can be used in community diagnosis of RTI. Self-report of symptoms of vaginal prolapse can also be used for community diagnosis of genital prolapse. A urinary culture should supplement self-reports of UTI to enhance specificity, although the presence of a positive culture in the absence of symptoms is of no clinical significance in non-pregnant women or women without renal disease