Severe Injuries in 9 Children: Is it due to child neglect? Case series from a regional hospital in Oman

Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) is a global phenomenon and has many forms. Child neglect is the most common form observed. CAN are serious incidents with medicolegal implications for the caregivers. The recognition of CAN is still in its early stages in the Middle Eastern cultures such as in Oman where parental authority over children is traditionally sacrosanct. This case series presents nine serious incidents from a regional hospital in Oman that appears to fulfil the definition of child neglect. All cases presented were diagnosed by Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) team. This paper provides evidence that child neglect exists in Oman and had resulted in death of some children and led to significant physical, psychological and social sequelae in others. It also addresses risk factors and management recommendations. The article also highlights SCAN team experience along with the limitations of the current Child Protection Services (CPS) in Oman. Keywords: Child Abuse; Child Neglect; Child Protection Services; Case Series; Oma

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

Measles on the Rise: The importance of vaccination

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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

Conjugated poly-ynes and poly(metalla-ynes) incorporating thiophene-based spacers for solar cell (SC) applications

Solar cells (SCs) are of considerable current research interest because of their potential as a clean alternative to fossil fuels. Researchers across the globe are developing novel polymeric materials with enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE). Conjugated poly-ynes and poly(metalla-ynes) incorporating late transition metals and thiophene-based spacers have played a very important role in this strategic area of materials research. The performance of the SCs can be optimized by varying the conjugated spacers and/or the metal ions along the polymer backbone. Therefore, an analysis of structure-photovoltaic property relationships in poly-ynes and poly(metalla-ynes) is desirable as a guide for the development of new functional materials for use in SCs. Keeping the importance of this strategic topic in mind, herein we present a brief review on conjugated poly-ynes and poly(metalla-ynes) incorporating thiophene-based spacers that have potential SC applications. Attempts have been made to correlate the photovoltaic performance of the SCs to the chemical structure of thiophene-incorporated poly-ynes and poly(metalla-ynes). The performance of SCs is also strongly influenced by other factors such as morphology and device structure.</p

Serine Protease Variants Encoded by Echis ocellatus Venom Gland cDNA: Cloning and Sequencing Analysis

Envenoming by Echis saw-scaled viper is the leading cause of death and morbidity in Africa due to snake bite. Despite its medical importance, there have been few investigations into the toxin composition of the venom of this viper. Here, we report the cloning of cDNA sequences encoding four groups or isoforms of the haemostasis-disruptive Serine protease proteins (SPs) from the venom glands of Echis ocellatus. All these SP sequences encoded the cysteine residues scaffold that form the 6-disulphide bonds responsible for the characteristic tertiary structure of venom serine proteases. All the Echis ocellatus EoSP groups showed varying degrees of sequence similarity to published viper venom SPs. However, these groups also showed marked intercluster sequence conservation across them which were significantly different from that of previously published viper SPs. Because viper venom SPs exhibit a high degree of sequence similarity and yet exert profoundly different effects on the mammalian haemostatic system, no attempt was made to assign functionality to the new Echis ocellatus EoSPs on the basis of sequence alone. The extraordinary level of interspecific and intergeneric sequence conservation exhibited by the Echis ocellatus EoSPs and analogous serine proteases from other viper species leads us to speculate that antibodies to representative molecules should neutralise (that we will exploit, by epidermal DNA immunization) the biological function of this important group of venom toxins in vipers that are distributed throughout Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent

Health professionals’ perceptions about physical activity promotion in diabetes care within primary health care settings in Oman

Background: As part of formative work to inform an interventional design to increase physical activity (PA) in patients with type 2 diabetes in Oman, this qualitative study aimed to determine health professionals’ perception of barriers and opportunities, personnel responsibilities and plausible PA promotional approaches. Methods: Four focus group discussions were carried out with groups of health care professionals (family physicians, dieticians and health educators, managers and general practitioners). All discussions were audio recorded and transcribed. Responses were analysed using a thematic analysis. Results: Barriers to PA reported by participants (n = 29) were identified at three levels: health care system (e.g. deficient PA guidelines); individual (e.g. obstructive social norms) and community (e.g. lack of facilities). Participants felt that a multilevel approach is needed to address perceived barriers and to widen current opportunities. In the presence of various diabetes primary care providers, the potential for dieticians to include individualised PA consultations as part of their role was highlighted. Participants felt that consultations should be augmented by approaches within the community (volunteer support and/or appropriate facilities). However, despite lack of experience with technology supported approaches and motivational tools, the telephone application “WhatsApp” and use of pedometers were considered potentially suitable. The need for training in behaviour change techniques and clearly communicated intervention guidelines was emphasised. Conclusions: A multi-component approach including PA consultations, possibly led by trained dieticians, technological routes for providing support along with community mapping for resources appear to offer promising approaches for further PA intervention studies within diabetes primary health care