Health innovations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: perspectives from the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

BACKGROUND: This paper aims to document the numerous health innovations developed in response to the COVID-19 crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) using a scoping review approach. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, the Index Medicus for EMR to identify peer-reviewed articles between December 2019 and November 2020 and WHO and ministries of health websites for grey literature. Following an initial review, full-text screening identified studies reporting on health innovations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the region. RESULTS: This review describes 82 health innovations reported from 20 countries across the region: 80% (n = 66) were digital and technology-based products and services including health care delivery (n = 25), public health informatics (n = 24) and prevention (n = 17); 20% (n = 16) were innovative processes including health care delivery (n = 8), educational programmes (n = 6) and community engagement (n = 2). CONCLUSION: The speed with which these technologies were deployed in different contexts demonstrates their ease of adoption and manageability and thus can be considered as the most scalable. Strengthened frameworks to protect users' privacy, documentation and evaluation of impact of innovations, and training of health care professionals are fundamental for promoting health innovations in the EMR.

Descriptive epidemiology of physical activity among Omani adults: the Oman World Health Survey, 2008.

There is an increasing burden of obesity and obesity-related noncommunicable diseases in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Oman. This descriptive, epidemiological study assessed physical activity among 2977 Omani adults using a population-based household survey in 2008. Overall, 54.2% of men and 41.6% of women were physically active; the rate was higher in younger cohorts and varied significantly by region of residence. Physical activity related to the transportation (walking and cycling) domain was higher than in the leisure or work domains. Unmarried men aged 30-39 years were twice as likely to be physically active (OR 2.25) and unmarried women aged 40+ years were half as likely to be active (OR 0.58) than their married counterparts. Young women not working were less active (OR 0.18) than working women. Higher education was significantly associated with leisure activity for men aged 30+ years and women aged 40+ years. Further research to understand regional variations and to identify culturally appropriate strategies to promote physical activity is required.

Descriptive epidemiology of physical activity among Omani adults:the Oman World Health Survey, 2008

هناك تزايد في عبء السمنه والامراض غير الساريه المرتبطة بالسمنه في بلدان مجلس التعاون الخليجي بما فيها سلطنه عمان وقد قيمت هذه الدراسة الوبائيه الوصفيه النشاط البدني لدى 2977 بالغا عمانيا باستخدام مسح اسري سكاني في عام 2008 فكان بالاجمال 54.2% من الرجال و 41.6% من النساء نشيطين بدنيا وكان المعدل أعلى لدى الفئات الاصغر سنا وشديد التباين باختلاف منطقة الاقامه وكان النشاط البدني المرتبط بمجال المواصلات ( المشي وركوب الدراجات ) اعلى من النشاط الذي يبذل في مجالات الترفيه او العمل وكان النشاط البدني لدي الرجال غير المتزوجين ممن هم باعمار 39-30 عاما ضعف نشاط نظرائهم المتزوجين OR=2.25 ولدي النساء غير المتزوجات اللواتي تجاوزن الـ 40 سنه نصف نشاط نظيراتهن المتزوجات OR=0.58 وكانت الشابات اللواتي لايعملن اقل نشاطا OR=0.18 من النساء العاملات وكان هناك ارتباط كبير بين التعليم العالي وبين النشاط الترفيهي لدى الرجال الذين تزيد اعمارهم عن 30 سنه والنساء اللواتي تجاوزن الـ 40 سنه هناك حاجة الى مزيد من البحوث لفهم التباينات الاقليميه ولتحديد استراتيجيات ملائمه ثقافيا لتعزيز النشاط البدني

There is an increasing burden of obesity and obesity-related noncommunicable diseases in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Oman. This descriptive, epidemiological study assessed physical activity among 2977 Omani adults using a population-based household survey in 2008. Overall, 54.2% of men and41.6% of women were physically active; the rate was higher in younger cohorts and varied significantly by region of residence. Physical activity related to the transportation (walking and cycling) domain was higher than in the leisure or work domains. Unmarried men aged 30–39 years were twice as likely to be physically active (OR 2.25) and unmarried women aged 40+ years were half as likely to be active (OR 0.58) than their married counterparts. Young women not working were less active (OR 0.18) than working women. Higher education was significantlyassociated with leisure activity for men aged 30+ years and women aged 40+ years. Further research to understand regional variations and to identify culturally appropriate strategies to promote physical activity is required.

Le fardeau de l’obésité et des maladies non transmissibles liées à l’obésité est en augmentation dans les pays du Conseil de Coopération du Golfe, notamment à Oman. La présente étude épidémiologique descriptive a évalué l’activité physique de 2977 adultes omanais à l’aide d’une enquête de population auprès des ménagesen 2008. Globalement, 54,2 % des hommes et 41,6 % des femmes avaient une activité physique ; le taux était supérieur dans les cohortes plus jeunes et variait significativement en fonction de la région de résidence. L’activité physique liée aux déplacements (marche et vélo) était plus fréquente que l’activité physique professionnelle ou de loisir. Les hommes célibataires entre 30 et 39 ans étaient deux fois plus susceptibles d’être physiquement actifs (OR 2,25) alors que les femmes célibataires âgées de plus de 40 ans étaient deux fois moins actives (OR0,58) que les femmes mariées. Les femmes jeunes sans emploi étaient moins actives physiquement (OR 0,18) que les femmes occupant un emploi. Un niveau d’études supérieur était nettement associé à une activité physique de loisir chez les hommes de plus de 30 ans et les femmes de plus de 40 ans. Des recherches plus approfondies pour comprendre les variations régionales et identifier des stratégies culturellement appropriées visant à promouvoir l’activité physique sont nécessaires.

Gender differences in prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: a systematic review.

AIMS: To systematically review studies documenting the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among men and women in Member States of the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC; Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates)-countries in which obesity, Type 2 diabetes and related metabolic and cardiovascular diseases are highly prevalent. METHODS: A search was conducted on PubMed and CINAHL using the term 'metabolic syndrome' and the country name of each GCC Member State. The search was limited to studies published in the English language. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the Third Adult Treatment Panel (ATPIII) of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) and/or International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definitions. The methodological quality of each study was evaluated based on four criteria: a national-level population sample; equal gender representation; robustness of the sample size; an explicit sampling methodology. RESULTS: PubMed, CINAHL and reference list searches identified nine relevant studies. Only four were considered high quality and found that, for men, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome ranged from 20.7% to 37.2% (ATPIII definition) and from 29.6% to 36.2% (IDF definition); and, for women, from 32.1% to 42.7% (ATPIII definition) and from 36.1% to 45.9% (IDF definition). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the GCC states is some 10-15% higher than in most developed countries, with generally higher prevalence rates for women. Preventive strategies will require identifying socio-demographic and environmental correlates (particularly those influencing women) and addressing modifiable risk behaviours, including lack of physical activity, prolonged sitting time and dietary intake.

Evidence of physical activity participation among men and women in the countries of the Gulf cooperation council: a review.

Rapid socioeconomic development in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has resulted in demographic and epidemiological transitions, with obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases becoming the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. This emerging disease pattern is often attributed to physically inactive lifestyles. Given that there is no consolidated evidence on physical activity participation, we reviewed studies to examine prevalence and gender differences among GCC adults. PubMed, CINAHL and reference list searches identified eight relevant studies. Based on the best-available data, the prevalence of adults being physically active for at least 150 min week(-1) (based on the international standard definition) ranged from 39.0% to 42.1% for men and 26.3% to 28.4% for women. Men were significantly more active than were women. Prevalence estimates for participation in physical activity in the GCC States are considerably lower than those for many developed countries. Studies using standardized methodologies with nationally representative samples are urgently required. Identifying prevalence and gender variations provides the basis for understanding the unique socio-cultural and environmental factors contributing to physical inactivity among adults in the countries of the GCC. This understanding must then inform population-health strategies to address the rising prevalence of obesity, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases.

Socioeconomic predictors of unconstrained child growth in Muscat, Oman.

We conducted a study to identify socioeconomic factors associated with unconstrained growth among preschoolers in Muscat, Oman. A sample of children born in 1995 and aged 28-43 months was drawn from the Child Health Registers of 2 health care centres. Sociodemographic data were collected by oral interview and maternal and child anthropometry measured. Regression analysis was used to identify socioeconomic indicators and cut-offs associated with unconstrained growth. Children from households with a monthly income > or = 800 Omani rials and mother's education > or = 4 years attained height-for-age levels comparable to the current international growth reference. By screening using this criterion, we could obtain a suitable sample for the World Health Organization Multicentre Growth Reference Study in Muscat.

Socioeconomic predictors of unconstrained child growth in Muscat, Oman

We conducted a study to identify socioeconomic factors associated with unconstrained growth among preschoolers in Muscat, Oman. A sample of children born in 1995 and aged 28-43 months was drawn from the Child Health Registers of 2 health care centres. Sociodemographic data were collected by oral interview and maternal and child anthropometry measured. Regression analysis was used to identify socioeconomic indicators and cut-offs associated with unconstrained growth. Children from households with a monthly income > or = 800 Omani rials and mother's education > or = 4 years attained height-for-age levels comparable to the current international growth reference. By screening using this criterion, we could obtain a suitable sample for the World Health Organization Multicentre Growth Reference Study in Muscat

Fournier's disease: necrotizing gangrene of the male genitalia.

Fournier's disease, a necrotizing subcutaneous infection involving the male genitalia, was first described by the French venereologist Jean Alfred Fournier in 1884. Its characteristic triad of abrupt onset in young, previously healthy males, rapid progression to gangrene, and absence of a discernable cause appear to have been altered, at least partially, by the advent of the antibiotic era. We present a case report, with discussion of the clinical and pathophysiological mechanisms involved in this rare and malignant infectious process.