Influence of Eysenckian Personality Traits in Choice of Specialization by Young Omani Doctors.

Objectives:The role of personality in occupational specialty choices has been explored in many parts of the world. To our knowledge, there is a dearth of such studies in the Arab/Islamic population and Oman is no exception. This study aimed to explore the relationship between personality traits and specialty choice among residents of Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among Omani resident physicians working under OMSB. The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire–Revised was employed to quantify personality subtypes (e.g., psychoticism, extraversion, and neuroticism). Specialties were categorized as surgical, medical, and diagnostics as per standard of North American medical specialties. A total of 255 residents in 17 medical specialties participated in the study (m = 40.4%; f = 59.6%) of 300 eligible subjects giving a response rate of 85.0%. Results: Respondents who had chosen surgical specialties scored significantly higher on the psychoticism subscale than those who had opted for medical and diagnostic specialties. As for individual specialties, orthopedic respondents had statistically significant higher mean scores on psychoticism and neuroticism compared to radiologists and psychiatrists who scored the lowest in the two personality traits, respectively. Conclusions: This study found statistically significant associations between personality traits and choices of specialty by young Omani doctors. We recommend more detailed studies that examine further psychological and cultural variables that are likely to affect the choices of specializations by young Omani professionals in both medical and non-medical fields

Burnout Syndrome Among Primary Care Physicians in Oman

Objectives: Medical professionals are exposed to many job stressors everyday, which can lead to psychological disturbances as well as burnout syndrome. We sought to assess the level of burnout among primary care physicians (PCPs) in Oman and explore risk factors for its development. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, analytical study among a random cluster sample of 190 PCP working in Muscat, Oman. Indices of burnout (emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP) and personal accomplishment (PA)) were noted using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBIHSS). We also used a questionnaire to obtain sociodemographic and job characteristics data. We used a binary logistic regression model and both unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios for statistical analysis. Results: The prevalence of burnout in all three dimensions was 6.3%. High levels of MBI-HSS subscales were reported on EE, DP and PA with 17.8%, 38.2%, and 21.5%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that working over 40 hours per week was the most important risk factor for burnout among PCPs. Conclusions: A total of 6.3% of PCPs working in urban areas in Oman suffered burnout. Long working hours was strongly associated with high occupational burnout. Solutions to eliminate or decrease the rate of burnout involve institutional changes, primarily respecting weekly working hours, and in more severe cases psychotherapy help is very important

Prevalence and Correlates of Depressive Symptoms among Medical Students: a Crosssectional Single-centre Study

Background: Depressive symptoms are common among medical students. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of depressive symptoms among medical students in Sultan Qaboos University in Oman. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a random sample selected from 1041 medical students at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to screen for depressive symptoms. A logistic regression model was used to determine risk factors for depressive symptoms. Results: Of 197 medical students selected, 189 (61 men and 128 women) responded. The PHQ-9 results showed that the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 41.3%. In multivariate analysis, female students were more likely than male students to develop depression (adjusted odds ratio = 2.866, p = 0.004). Medical students with a family history of depression were more likely to develop depression than those without a family history of depression (adjusted odds ratio = 4.150, p = 0.014). Conclusion: Depressive symptoms are common among medical students in Sultan Qaboos University. Risk factors for depressive symptoms are female sex and family history of depression

Methylphenidate improves executive functions in patients with traumatic brain injuries : a feasibility trial via the idiographic approach

Background: Road traffic accidents are known to be the main cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is also a leading cause of death and disability. This study, by means of the idiographic approach (single-case experimental designs using multiple-baseline designs), has examined whether methylphenidate (MPH - trade name Ritalin) had a differential effect on cognitive measures among patients with TBI with the sequel of acute and chronic post-concussion syndromes. The effect on gender was also explored. Methods: In comparison with healthy controls, patients with TBI (acute and chronic) and accompanying mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were screened for their integrity of executive functioning. Twenty-four patients exhibiting executive dysfunction (ED) were then instituted with the pharmacological intervention methylphenidate (MPH). The methylphenidate was administered using an uncontrolled, open label design. Results: The administration of methylphenidate impacted ED in the TBI group but had no effect on mood. Attenuation of ED was more apparent in the chronic phases of TBI. The effect on gender was not statistically significant with regard to the observed changes. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first feasibility trial from the Arabian Gulf to report the performance of a TBI population with mild cognitive impairment according to the IQCODE Arabic version. This investigation confirms anecdotal observations of methylphenidate having the potential to attenuate cognitive impairment; particularly those functions that are critically involved in the integrity of executive functioning. The present feasibility trial should be followed by nomothetic studies such as those that adhere to the protocol of the randomized controlled trial. This evidence-based research is the foundation for intervention and future resource allocation by policy- or public health decision-makers

Randomised open-label trial of docosahexaenoic acid-enriched fish oil and fish meal on cognitive and behavioural functioning in Omani children

Objective: Examine the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) enriched fish oil supplement and fish meal on cognitive and behavioural functioning manifested as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in primary school students (9-10 years old) in Muscat, Oman. Methods: Randomised open-label trial involving two types of intervention: fish oil supplement or one serving (100 gram) of fish per weekday for 12 weeks. Red cell total lipid docosahexaenoic acid levels were assessed. Verbal Fluency Test, Buschke Selective Reminding Test, and Trail Making Test were used to measure cognitive functioning. Behavioural functioning was assessed using a standardised Arabic version of the National Initiative for Children’s Health Quality Vanderbilt Assessment Scales. All measurements were carried out before and after intervention. Results: DHA levels increased by 72% and 64% in fish oil (Mean: 3.6% to 6.2%) and fish meal (Mean: 3.4% to 5.6%) group, respectively (p=0.000). The Trail Making Test was the only cognitive test that demonstrated marked differences between groups: median inter-quartile range difference between pre and post intervention in the Trail Making Part B score was 61.5 (SE: 19.3, 103.2) in the fish oil vs. Fish meal group, 24.5 (SE: -15.2, 74.7, p=0.005). The Vanderbilt Assessment Scales also showed significant differences between groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study contributes to available evidence on the cognitive and behavioural benefits of DHA in healthy school children. Consideration should be made to expand the food fortification programme as part of broader policy to improve child health

Emergency medicine in Oman: current status and future challenges

The Sultanate of Oman has a relatively young national health care system that could demonstrate its high performance at an international level. Emergency medicine as a specialty has developed rapidly in the country over the last decade. This has involved the parallel development of local emergency residency training, prehospital emergency care, and emergency nursing programs. This article reviews the progress of emergency care practice in this country from a general primary care system toward becoming an established specialty in hospital, prehospital, and private emergency care settings. It also describes aspects of undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuous emergency medicine education in the country. Further, a glimpse into academic emergency medicine and emergency nursing is provided. Since it describes a developing specialty, the article also attempts to address briefly major future challenges and their importance to the future development of the specialty in Oman

Biotic and Abiotic Stresses of Major Fruit Crops in Oman: A Review

Oman is located in an arid region of the world that is characterized by adverse climatic conditions, including heat and drought. In recent years, it has also been affected by climate turbulence and the occurrence of severe weather, such as cyclones and heat/cold waves affecting large agricultural areas of the country. Fruit cultivation area represents 31% of the total cultivated area (97,239.58 ha) in the country. However, the production share is only 17% of the total crop production in the country (2.6 million tons). About 90% of the fruit cultivation area is dominated by date palm, banana, lime, and mango. In addition to the abiotic stresses, such as drought, heat, and salinity, major fruit crops have declined in recent years due to various biotic stressors, primarily insect pests, and diseases. For several decades, the date palm has suffered from the Dubas bug and in recent years from Red Palm Weevil. Lime has been infected with Witch’s Broom Disease of Lime (WBDL) caused by ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ that has led to the decline of production to 25% from its peak in the nineties. Banana is Oman`s second-largest fruit crop in production and export. It has also been the subject of studies due to losses incurred by farmers during pre-and post-harvest stages, in addition to several pests and diseases that affect bananas in Oman. Mango is another major fruit crop that is primarily cultivated in northern Oman. Severe infection with mango decline has led to the eradication of mango orchards from many regions of Oman, particularly in Batinah Coast, where increased salinity has led to a decline in mango yield. Research conducted in Oman has investigated several aspects of these challenges. This review paper summarizes the outcome from studies conducted in the country and proposes directions towards resolving current and future challenges to the fruit industry

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and parental factors in school children aged nine to ten years in urban regions of Oman

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific parental risk factors that may contribute to the development of ADHD. Methods: The study was conducted in Oman among fourth-grade students (aged nine to 10 years). A standardized Arabic version of the National Initiative for Children’s Health Quality Vanderbilt Assessment Scale (Teachers questionnaire) was used to determine the presence of ADHD. Specific parental factors such as socioeconomic status, education and occupation were documented. Results: The prevalence rate of ADHD was 8.8%. Parental factors were significantly associated with increased risk of ADHD; including poor maternal education status, low familial socioeconomic status, and paternal occupation. Conclusions: This was the first study that examined familial and parental characteristics of children with ADHD as potential risk factors for the condition. Such psychosocial factors could be employed to further the development of more proficient preventative measures and remedial services

The incidence of metabolic syndrome amongst Qatar migrants 24 months post-migration: a prospective longitudinal observational cohort study.

Background and Objective: Evidence indicates that migration to Western countries is associated with increased metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk. There is, however, a scarcity of data about MetS incidence in migrants to Middle Eastern countries. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between migration and the incidence of MetS following a 24-months residency in Qatar. Method: Following the necessary ethics approvals, migrants to Qatar aged 18–65 years were invited to participate. Baseline screening for MetS parameters included glycated haemoglobin, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference. Migrants with normal metabolic parameters were invited for rescreening 24-months post-migration and, parameters repeated. Those with abnormal metabolic parameters were counselled or referred for medical review and excluded from follow up. Main outcome measures: The incidence of metabolic syndrome amongst initially metabolic syndrome-free moigratns, 24-months post migration. The determinants of MetS andMetS elements among Qatar migrants, 24 months post migration. Results: Four hundred seventy-two consented to participate of 1379 identified. 205 (43.4%) migrants had normal metabolic parameters at baseline and were recalled 24 months post-migration, with 160 completing follow-up. The incidence of MetS within this group rose to 17% (n=27/160, 95% CI; 11.0%–23.0%) and 81% (n=129/160) developed at least one element of MetS following 24 months in Qatar. Conclusion: Migration to Qatar was associated with the development of MetS after 24 months of migration. Further studies are required to determine the risk factors and the predictors of MetS amongst migrants to Qatar

Predictors of Burden of Care Among Caregivers of Drug-Naive Children and Adolescents With ADHD: A Cross-Sectional Correlative Study From Muscat, Oman.

The study assessed the prevalence of burden of care among caregivers of children with ADHD in Oman. A related aim is to explore the predictors of the burden of care, subtypes of ADHD, and socio-demographic factors. Arabic version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) was administered to 117 caregivers of drug-naive children with ADHD. Sociodemographic background and clinical data were gathered from medical records and from the attending caregivers themselves. The ADHD symptoms were grouped under three categories : hyperactive, inattentive, or mixed. the prevalence of the burden of care was estimated to be 34%. Income levels and the child's ADHD diagnosis being of "mixed" type have significant impact on the burden of care. the results of this study indicate that the prevalence of the burden of care among the caregivers of ADHD children in Oman is comparable with that in the other regions of the world