Introduction of Cancer Education Program in Secondary School Curriculum: Perceptions of Education Teachers and Policymakers in Oman.

The prevalence of cancer is expected to increase worldwide for reasons related to a lack of awareness of cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Implementing cancer education programs in schools in the developing countries with similar demographic, economic, and health transition to that of Oman is crucial for enhancing students' cancer knowledge and promoting healthy behavior. This study aims to explore the perceptions of education, policymakers, and teachers regarding the inclusion of cancer education in secondary school curriculum. The study employed a qualitative method, conducting semi-structured interviews with ten education policymakers and ten school teachers. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed verbatim and qualitatively using the framework approach. Three main themes have emerged: (1) perception of the importance of cancer education inclusion within the school curriculum, (2) the perception of cancer education implementation in schools, and (3) the perceived challenges of introducing cancer education in schools. Policymakers and teachers in Oman recognize the importance of cancer education in schools and emphasized the need to prioritize it due to the increasing prevalence of the disease and the belief that negative lifestyle habits played a role in its increased prevalence. Implementing cancer education programs in schools is essential in improving students' knowledge of cancer and health behaviors. Collaboration between the department of school health in ministry of education and in ministry of health and incorporating cancer education into different school activities can be beneficial. However, the perceived challenges of cancer education in schools include the decision on the priority of cancer education among other topics, the required procedures to introduce cancer education in schools, and the financial and logistics obligations of implementing cancer education programs. Therefore, addressing the financial and logistic requirements is essential to overcome the associated challenges for implementing cancer education programs within the school curriculum.

Effectiveness of an Educational Program on Awareness of Breast Cancer Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Barriers to Seeking Medical Help among Adolescent Omani School Students-An Interventional Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Women in Oman and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are usually diagnosed with BC at a younger age and more advanced stage, with poor five-year survival. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of breast cancer (BC) related educational programs among female Omani adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six female-only public schools were randomly selected from three governorates of Oman and assigned to the control or interventional group. An Arabic version of the Breast Cancer Awareness Measure questionnaire was used to evaluate students attending grades 10 and 11 at baseline (T0) and after 4 weeks (T1). After T0, the intervention group participated in a one-hour BC education program involving group discussions, a slideshow presentation, leaflets, and online access to program materials and videos. Non-parametric tests were used to compare scores between intervention and control groups and within each group across time (T0 vs. T1). RESULTS: A total of 1106 students participated, of which 547 (49.5%) and 559 (50.5%) were allocated to the control and intervention groups, respectively. Recognition of BC risk factors (Z = 18.67; p < 0.001) and symptoms (Z = 20.01; p < 0.001) increased significantly in the intervention group between T0 and T1 and compared to the control group at T1 (U = 27.27; p < 0.001, and U = 25.75; p < 0.001, respectively). Anticipated time to seeking medical help (Z = 18.67; p < 0.001) and barriers to help-seeking (Z = 7.91; p < 0.001) decreased significantly between T0 and T1 in the intervention group and compared to the control group at T1 (U = 15.78; p < 0.001, and U = 3.44; p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The program increased knowledge of BC risk factors and symptoms and promoted early medical help-seeking among Omani female adolescents. Healthcare strategic planners and policy-makers in Oman and low- and middle-income countries should consider incorporating cancer education programs in the national school curriculum to minimize delays in BC diagnosis and improve the survival rate.

Effectiveness of an Educational Program on Awareness of Cancer Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Barriers to Medical Help-Seeking Among Adolescent Omani Students: an Interventional Study.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with attributable mortality expected to continue increasing over time. High school students are often targeted to enhance awareness of cancer risk factors and symptoms and promote early medical help-seeking behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a cancer education program among Omani adolescents. A total of 12 public schools were randomly selected from three governorates and assigned to either the intervention or control group. Students attending grades 10 and 11 at the selected schools were targeted. The Cancer Awareness Measure tool was used to evaluate knowledge of cancer risk factors and symptoms, perceived barriers to seeking medical help, and anticipated time to consult a doctor for cancer warning symptoms at baseline (T0) and after 4 weeks (T1). After T0, the intervention group participated in a 1-h cancer education program involving a slideshow presentation and group discussion; they also received a leaflet and online access to program materials and videos. A total of 1716 students were enrolled in the study, including 886 (51.6%) assigned to the control group and 830 (48.4%) to the intervention group. Recognition of cancer risk factors (Z = 24.86; p ˂ 0.001) and cancer symptoms (Z = 24.91; p ˂ 0.001) significantly improved in the intervention group between T0 and T1, and compared to the control group at T1 (U = 33.28; p ˂ 0.001, and U = 34.55; p ˂ 0.001, respectively). In addition, anticipated time to help-seeking (Z = 20.15; p ˂ 0.001) and barriers to help-seeking (Z = 10.33; p < 0.001) decreased significantly between T0 and T1, and compared to the control group at T1 (U = 19.00; p ˂ 0.001, and U = 3.58; p < 0.001, respectively). The intervention effectively increased knowledge of cancer risk factors and symptoms and promoted early medical help-seeking behaviors among school-aged Omani adolescents. Integration of cancer education within high school curricula can aid cancer prevention and early intervention efforts. However, additional follow-up is required to confirm the long-term effectiveness of such programs.

The Effectiveness of Interventional Cancer Education Programs for School Students Aged 8-19 Years: a Systematic Review.

The implementation of effective interventional cancer education programs in schools could help to reduce delays in diagnosis and improve cancer survival by increasing awareness of risk factors and symptoms among students. The aim of this review was to determine the effectiveness of interventional cancer education programs delivered to school students aged 8-19 years. Various databases were searched to identify controlled and uncontrolled studies published in English language articles between January 2000 and January 2020. Selected publications were then critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Systematic Reviews. A total of 12 studies meeting these criteria were identified. Of these, eight were randomized, and five included control groups. All of the studies conducted the intervention over the course of 1, 3, or 4 days, and there was no follow-up phase in seven studies. Various modes and materials were used in the delivery of the interventions, including children's books and booklets, expert talks or presentations, videos, discussions, role-playing exercises, hands-on activities, group work, quizzes, and homework. There was some evidence to indicate that the interventions enhanced short-term knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions; however, there was less evidence regarding their long-term effectiveness, particularly in terms of help-seeking barriers. Interventional education programs are important to increase knowledge of cancer among school students aged 8-19 years. Decision-makers should consider including relevant topics within the educational curricula. Both healthcare providers and non-educational organizations should work together to support effective cancer interventional education programs for school students as part of their long-term cancer prevention efforts.

Indoleacetic acid production and plant growth promoting potential of bacterial endophytes isolated from rice (Oryza sativa L.) seeds.

Bacterial endophytes from the phyllosphere and rhizosphere have been used to produce bioactive metabolites and to promote plant growth. However, little is known about the endophytes residing in seeds. This study aimed to isolate and identify seed-borne bacterial endophytes from rice and elucidate their potential for phytohormone production and growth enhancement. The isolated endophytes included Micrococcus yunnanensis RWL-2, Micrococcus luteus RWL-3, Enterobacter soli RWL-4, Leclercia adecarboxylata RWL-5, Pantoea dispersa RWL-6, and Staphylococcus epidermidis RWL-7, which were identified using 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. These strains were analyzed for indoleacetic acid (IAA) production by using GC-MS and IAA was found in the range of 11.50 ± 0.77 µg ml-1 to 38.80 ± 1.35 µg ml-1. We also assessed the strains for plant growth promoting potential because these isolates were able to produce IAA in pure culture. Most of the growth attributes of rice plants (shoot and root length, fresh and dry biomass, and chlorophyll content) were significantly increased by bacterial endophytes compared to the controls. These results show that IAA producing bacterial endophytes can improve hostplant growth traits and can be used as bio-fertilizers.

Endophytes from medicinal plants and their potential for producing indole acetic acid, improving seed germination and mitigating oxidative stress.

Medicinal plants have been used by marginal communities to treat various ailments. However, the potential of endophytes within these bio-prospective medicinal plants remains unknown. The present study elucidates the endophytic diversity of medicinal plants (Caralluma acutangula, Rhazya stricta, and Moringa peregrina) and the endophyte role in seed growth and oxidative stress. Various organs of medicinal plants yielded ten endophytes, which were identified as Phoma sp. (6 isolates), Alternaria sp. (2), Bipolaris sp. (1), and Cladosporium sp. (1) based on 18S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The culture filtrates (CFs; 25%, 50%, and 100% concentrations) from these endophytes were tested against the growth of normal and dwarf mutant rice lines. Endophytic CF exhibited dose-dependent growth stimulation and suppression effects. CF (100%) of Phoma sp. significantly increased rice seed germination and growth compared to controls and other endophytes. This growth-promoting effect was due to the presence of indole acetic acid in endophytic CF. The gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis showed the highest indole acetic acid content ((54.31±0.21) µmol/L) in Bipolaris sp. In addition, the isolate of Bipolaris sp. exhibited significantly higher radical scavenging and anti-lipid peroxidation activity than the other isolates. Bipolaris sp. and Phoma sp. also exhibited significantly higher flavonoid and phenolic contents. The medicinal plants exhibited the presence of bio-prospective endophytic strains, which could be used for the improvement of crop growth and the mitigation of oxidative stresses.

Indole acetic acid and ACC deaminase from endophytic bacteria improves the growth of Solarium lycopersicum

Background: Endophytic bacteria are ubiquitous in all plant species contributing in host plant's nutrient uptake and helping the host to improve its growth. Moringa peregrina which is a medicinal plant, growing in arid region of Arabia, was assessed for the presence of endophytic bacterial strains. Results: PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA of bacterial endophytes revealed the 5 endophytic bacteria, in which 2 strains were from Sphingomonas sp.; 2 strains from Bacillus sp. and 1 from Methylobacterium genus. Among the endophytic bacterial strains, a strain of Bacillus subtilis LK14 has shown significant prospects in phosphate solubilization (clearing zone of 56.71 mm after 5 d), ACC deaminase (448.3 ± 2.91 nM α-ketobutyrate mg-1 h-1) and acid phosphatase activity (8.4 ± 1.2 nM mg-1 min-1). The endophytic bacteria were also assessed for their potential to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Among isolated strains, the initial spectrophotometry analysis showed significantly higher IAA production by Bacillus subtilis LK14. The diurnal production of IAA was quantified using multiple reactions monitoring method in UPLC/MS-MS. The analysis showed that LK14 produced the highest (8.7 uM) IAA on 14th d of growth. Looking at LK14 potentials, it was applied to Solanum lycopersicum, where it significantly increased the shoot and root biomass and chlorophyll (a and b) contents as compared to control plants. Conclusion: The study concludes that using endophytic bacterial strains can be bio-prospective for plant growth promotion, which might be an ideal strategy for improving growth of crops in marginal lands.