Public-private partnerships (PPPs) in education in the Sultanate of Oman at the basic and post-basic education levels :towards a suggested framework

PhD ThesisThis research aims to explore the public–private partnership (PPP) phenomenon at the basic education and post-basic education levels in the Sultanate of Oman. Specifically, it identifies the types of existing PPPs and probes different stakeholders’ perspectives of PPPs. It also highlights the challenges that impede the effectiveness of PPPs in the Omani context and identifies approaches to alleviate them. Finally, it suggests a PPP framework for the Omani context. This study employed a case study design with a mixed-strategy approach to elicit data from a range of sources: the public education sector, the private education sector and other sectors. The research used semi-structured interviews, focus groups and documentary analysis as key data collection instruments. The public education sector participants comprised government officials, school principals and supervisors. The private education participants included school owners, school principals and chief executive officers (CEOs). Other participants were drawn from other governmental and non-governmental sectors. A total of four focus groups with 29 participants (six to nine participants in each group) and 32 semi-structured interviews covering participants from the different sectors were conducted. The research findings reveal that a range of PPPs exist in the Omani education context. These however, are predominantly informal and voluntary. They also seem to address financial aspects and rarely tackle key quality aspects such as curricula and learning outcomes. In this study, it transpires that in Oman, PPP is envisaged as a multi-stakeholder approach with reciprocal and long-term benefits rather than relating to privatisation or philanthropy. The research also concludes that PPPs in Oman seem to be challenged chiefly by political and regulatory impediments, as well as some practical barriers related to capacity and evaluation mechanisms. It is hoped that these results, together with the suggested PPP framework, will serve as a guideline for the promotion of public–private collaboration in education, as well as the development of a PPP programme at the basic education and post-basic education levels in Oman.The Government of the Sultanate of Oman

Do routinely measured risk factors for obesity explain the sex gap in its prevalence? Observations from Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of adult obesity is higher in women than men in most countries. However, the pathways that link female sex with excess obesity are still not fully understood. We examine whether socioeconomic and behavioural factors may mediate the association between sex and obesity in the Saudi Arabian setting where there is female excess in obesity. METHODS: We performed a mediation analysis using a cross-sectional, national household survey from Saudi Arabia with 4758 participants (51% female). A series of multivariable regression models were fitted to test if socioeconomic position, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, diet, and smoking mediate the association between sex and obesity (BMI >=30). The findings were confirmed using causal mediation analysis. RESULTS: Women in this sample were roughly twice as likely as men to be obese (crude OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.6-2.3). The odds ratio remained significantly higher for women compared to men in models testing for mediation (OR range 1.95-2.06). Our data suggest that indicators of socio-economic position, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, diet, and smoking do not mediate the sex differences in obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis shows that most commonly measured risk factors for obesity do not explain the sex differences in its prevalence in the Saudi context. Further research is needed to understand what might explain the female excess in obesity prevalence. We discuss how data related to the lived experience of Saudi men and women may tap into underlying mechanisms by which the sex difference in obesity prevalence are produced

The prevalence of physical activity and its socioeconomic correlates in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional population-based national survey

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the levels of physical activity in the Saudi population and to assess its socio-demographic correlates.MethodsThe data were part of a cross-sectional representative national survey of 4758 participants conducted in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A multistage stratified cluster random sampling design was used. Physical activity was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) version 2.0. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the determinants and were adjusted in relation to various factors.ResultsOverall, physical inactivity was found to be 66.6% (95% C.I.: 65.3%–68%), 60.1% (95% C.I.: 58.1%–62.1%) for males and 72.9% (95% C.I.: 71.1%–74.7%) for females. Leisure time physical inactivity was found to be 87.9%, 85.6% for males and 90.2% for females. The northern and central regions reported the highest prevalence of no physical activity at work, leisure and transportation. Gender, geographical location and employment status exhibited a statistically significant correlation.ConclusionsThere is a high level of physical inactivity in various regions and population groups in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Population interventions are greatly needed, especially those focusing on physical activity in their leisure time

Efficacy of using a dual layer of membrane (d PTFE placed over collagen) for ridge preservation in fresh extraction sites: a micro‐computed tomographic study in dogs

Objective To assess if overbuilding the buccal plate or using a dual‐layer socket grafting technique prevents alveolar bone resorption and enhances final ridge width, height, and volume after tooth loss in an animal model. Material and methods In eight beagle dogs bilateral second (P2)‐, third (P3)‐, and fourth (P4) premolars were endodontically treated. All bilateral mandibular first premolars and distal roots of P2, P3, and P4 were hemisectioned and atraumatically extracted. Animals were randomly divided into four groups: (i) Control–Socket alone, (ii) Particulate allograft in the alveolum, socket covered with high‐density polytetrafluoroethylene ( dPTFE ) membrane and sutured over the alveolum, (iii) Particulate allograft in the alveolum and overbuilding the buccal plate, socket covered with dPTFE membrane and sutured over the alveolum, (iv) Particulate allograft in the alveolum and covered with dual layer ( dPTFE placed over collagen membrane), and sutured over the alveolum. After 16 weeks, the animals were sacrificed. Mandibular blocks of the jaws were assessed for bone volume ( BV ), vertical bone height ( VBH ), alveolar ridge thickness, and bone mineral density ( BMD ) using micro‐computed tomography. Results The BV in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 169.5, 207.57, 242.4, and 306.1 mm 3 , respectively. The VBH in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 4.2, 6.4, 6.2, and 7.3 mm, respectively. Ridge widths in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 5.45 ± 0.75, 5.91 ± 0.86, 6.05 ± 0.63, and 6.28 ± 1.01 mm, respectively. There was no significant difference in BMD between the groups. Conclusions The RP using a dual layer of membrane following tooth extraction results in more BV , VBH , and alveolar ridge width as compared to when a single layer of membrane is used.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/100133/1/clr2526.pd

Various Factors Affecting Students Performances In A Saudi Medical School

Objective: There are various demographic and educational factors that affect the academic performance of undergraduate medical students. The objective of this study is to identify these factors and correlate them to the GPA of the students. Methods: A cross-sectional study design utilizing grade point averages (GPAs) of two cohorts of students in both levels of the pre-clinical phase. In addition, self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate the effect of these factors on students with poor and good cumulative GPA. Results: Among the various factors studied, gender, marital status, and the transportation used to reach the faculty significantly affected academic performance of students. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater significantly differed than those with a GPA of less than 3.0 being higher in female students, in married students, and type of transportation used to reach the college. Factors including age, educational factors, and type of transportation used have shown to create a significant difference in GPA between male and females. Conclusion: Factors such as age, gender, marital status, learning resources, study time, and the transportation used have been shown to significantly affect medical student GPA as a whole batch as well as when they are tested for gender

Quality of Life of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

This study aimed at exploring the assessment of Quality of Life (QOL) in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and aiming at assessing the QOL of patients with stages 1–5 Chronic Kidney Disease CKD on conservative treatment in order to identify a possible association between Quality Of Life QOL and progression of kidney insufficiency. The results were compared with those obtained for patients on hemodialysis. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were also evaluated. And the study concluded that research efforts have expanded significantly to determine the state of pediatric CKD patient HRQOL and the factors that impact HRQOL across all stages of CKD and all modalities of renal replacement therapy. Data from all studies suggest that children with a renal transplant fare better with respect to HRQOL than those receiving dialysis

Efficacy of lifestyle intervention program for Arab women with prediabetes using social media as an alternative platform of delivery

Aims/Introduction: This 6-month interventional study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of different educational programs among Saudi women with prediabetes referred by primary care. Materials and Methods: A total of 253 (100 group education program [GEP], 84 WhatsApp education program [WEP] and 69 control group [CG]) eligible participants were invited to take part in the study, out of whom 120 received intervention (40 GEP, 43 WEP and 37 CG). GEP participants received focused, individualized lifestyle modification advice with bimonthly support sessions, WEP participants received the same intervention, but delivered through social media (WhatsApp). The CG received standard care. Anthropometrics, biochemical profiles and macronutrient intake were measured at baseline, and 3 and 6months. The primary end-points were glycated hemoglobin and weight, with lipids and dietary changes as secondary outcomes. Results: Glycated hemoglobin significantly improved in all groups post‐intervention (GEP baseline 6.0 ± 0.2 vs 6 months 5.5 ± 0.54; P < 0.001, WEP 6.0 ± 0.26 vs 5.3 ± 0.51; P < 0.001, CG 6.0 ± 0.37 vs 5.7 ± 0.49; P < 0.001), but with no difference in between‐group comparisons (P = 0.33). Within‐group comparisons showed a reduction in weight, but only in the GEP group (90.6 kg ± 27.3 vs 84.8 kg ± 24.3; P < 0.01), and this was significant in between‐group comparison (P = 0.003). Significant between‐group comparisons with respect to energy (g) intake (P = 0.005) were also observed, as well as triglycerides (P < 0.001) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.001), all in favor of the GEP group. Conclusions: Diabetes prevention programs, whether delivered through a focused educational group, social media or standard care, are equally efficacious in improving glycated hemoglobin levels among Saudi women with prediabetes, but a focused educational group was more effective in terms of successful weight loss

Plague from Eating Raw Camel Liver

We investigated a cluster of 5 plague cases; the patients included 4 with severe pharyngitis and submandibular lymphadenitis. These 4 case-patients had eaten raw camel liver. Yersinia pestis was isolated from bone marrow of the camel and from jirds (Meriones libycus) and fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis) captured at the camel corral

¿El tratamiento de la diarrea hemorrágica debido a Shigella dysenteriae tipo 1 con ampicilina precipita al síndrome urémico hemolítico?

La diarrea asociada al síndrome urémico hemolítico (HUS), la causa más común de falla renal aguda en la infancia y la niñez, se asocia frecuentemente con la infección por organismos que producen Shiga toxina (ST) o toxina Shigalike (SLT), principalmente Escherichia coli productor verocitotoxina (VTEC O157:H7) y Shigella dysenteriae tipo 1. Aunque los antibióticos se creyeron como esenciales en el tratamiento de la shigelosis, el tratamiento de pacientes con S. dysenteriae tipo 1 con antibióticos al que el organismo es resistente ha sido considerado un factor de riesgo para HUS.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria