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Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude and experiences in sharing unpleasant health information and adherence to the SPIKES protocol among physicians at a tertiary hospital in Muscat, Oman. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital from August to October 2022. An electronic, self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data from physicians across various departments. Results: A total of 89 physicians completed the questionnaire (response rate = 22.3%). Most participants (n = 86, 96.6%) recognised the need for additional training in the delivery of unpleasant health information ('bad news'), with 78.7% (n = 70) expressing their willingness to undertake such training. Additionally, 32.6% (n = 29) reported negative experiences due to improper delivery of bad news, with an equal proportion admitting to disclosing bad news to patients' family without their consent. The majority (n = 77, 86.5%) demonstrated a high level of overall adherence to the SPIKES protocol, with 59.6-85.4%, 12.4-34.8% and 1.1-11.2% reported usually, sometimes and never following specific steps of the protocol, respectively. Marital status (P = 0.015) and qualifications (P = 0.032) were the only variables that were associated with adherence level, with married physicians and those with board and/or fellowship certificates reporting significantly better adherence compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: Physicians in Oman encounter challenges in delivering unpleasant health information, underscoring the interplay of cultural influences, training and adherence to protocols. To address these challenges, targeted and frequent training programmes are recommended, starting from undergraduate medical education and extending to continuous opportunities for physicians at various career levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer and Pap smear screening among Omani women attending a tertiary clinic in Muscat, Oman, and to establish correlations with selected sociodemographic factors. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out among Omani women aged 18–50 years old attending the outpatient clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, from October 2019 to February 2020. A validated Arabic-language questionnaire was utilized to collect data regarding the participants' sociodemographic characteristics, their knowledge of cervical cancer and related risk factors, and their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cervical cancer screening and Pap smear testing. Results: Of the 380 respondents, 86 and 55% had previously heard of cervical cancer and Pap smear testing, respectively; however, only 26% were knowledgeable concerning these topics. Knowledge scores were significantly associated with various sociodemographic factors, including marital status and a previous awareness of cervical cancer (odds ratio: > 1, p < 0.05). Only 21% had themselves previously undergone Pap smear testing; however, 75% reported being willing to undergo such screening in future. Conclusions: Knowledge regarding cervical cancer-related risk factors and Pap smear screening was poor among a cohort of Omani women attending a tertiary clinic in Muscat, Oman. This may play a role in the increased frequency of cervical cancer cases observed in Oman over recent years. As such, a well-structured public education program is recommended to raise awareness of this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antibiotics are heavily used for animal treatment, growth enhancer and protection from disease. The residues of antibiotics are related to antibiotic resistance which is the biggest threats to global health, food security and development today. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of antibiotic residues in available red meat in the Sultanate of Oman. Methods: The extraction was done using QuEChERS method by Aglient and 11 standards were used. The extract was analyzed using The Aglient 6460 LC-MS/MS. Result: The results showed that investigated Omani goat muscle and liver were free of antibiotics as latter they used as blank sample. All investigated Somali goat samples didn't contain Tetracycline, Amoxicillin, Ceftiofur, Oxacillin, Deoxytetracline, Tylosin and Phenoxymethylpenicillin. Only two samples had Tilmicosin with value of 18-32.2 µl/kg which was that was lower than maxiumam residual limit (MRL). Around 48% of total somali goat samples contained Oxytetracycline (OXY) and Chlorotetracycline (CTC) with value lower than MRL. However, two samples had values of CTC and OXY exceeding the MRL. Ciprofloxacin and Enrofloxacine were detected in 9 samples exceeding the MRL. The finding of this study showed unsafe food source supply to Oman as detection of antibiotic residues in meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating advanced parental age as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in an Omani cohort. Methods: This case-control study compared 278 ASD cases with 722 gendermatched controls, retrieved from the electronic records of the Developmental Paediatric Clinic, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between January 2015 and June 2016. Results: Most ASD cases were male (76.6%) and mostly diagnosed between 3–4 years of age, with more than 50% of the cases originating from Muscat and Batinah governorates. Compared to controls, mothers from the case group had significantly higher educational levels (post-secondary education versus high school/no formal education: odds ratio [OR] = 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.197–2.192). In a multivariate logistic regression, the OR of maternal age as a risk for ASD increased dramatically with advancing age category (using age <25 as reference, OR = 3.39, 6.12, 7.86 and 13.13 for age categories 25–29, 30–34, 35–39 and ≥40 years, respectively). The ORs of advancing paternal age as a risk for ASD were also statistically significant (using age <30 as reference, OR = 2.20, 2.36 and 3.12 for age categories 30–34, 35–39 and 40–44 years, respectively); however, there was a drop in the effect with paternal age ≥45 years (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 0.64–3.15). Conclusion: Both maternal and paternal increased age were associated with a higher risk of ASD; however, the association was more pronounced and more consistent with advanced maternal age compared to paternal age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency amongst diabetic patients on metformin therapy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at general clinics at the University Health Center and diabetes outpatient clinics at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between January and December 2017. All Omani adults who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and took metformin were invited to participate in the study. The variables included in this study were age, gender, duration of diabetes, dose and duration of metformin therapy, haemoglobin and glycosylated haemoglobin level. Results: A total of 248 subjects were included (response rate = 95.4%) of which 26 (10.5%) were vitamin B12 deficient and 53 (21.4%) were borderline deficient. The mean daily dose of metformin was highest among vitamin B12 deficient group (1,981 ± 222 mg; P = 0.004). Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is considerable among diabetic patients on metformin therapy. Further research is needed to confirm the need for routine screening and monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Various studies have suggested that depression is more prevalent among patients with skin disorders than in the general population. Most of the studies addressing this subject involve Euro‐American populations. Objectives: The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms among patients with dermatological disorders and, then, to decipher the clinical–demographic factors associated with depressive symptoms. Methods: A cross‐sectional analytical study was conducted among a random sample of patients attending a dermatology clinic in Muscat. The Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) was used to screen for depressive symptoms. A logistic regression model was used to find the adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios (ORs). Results: A total of 260 patients participated in this study, with a response rate of 81%. The prevalence of depression symptoms was 24%. According to regression analysis, family history of depression, comorbid medical disorders, and treatment with topicals or isotretinoin were significant predictors of depression (OR = 9.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.27–39.05, P = 0.002; OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2–3.21, P = 0.05; OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.09–4.76, P = 0.028; and OR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.08–7.19, P = 0.035, respectively). Conclusion: This study indicates that depressive symptoms are common among patients with dermatological disorders in Oman, particularly in those with a family history of depression and medical comorbidities, and those who use a specific dermatological medication. Screening for depression in patients attending dermatology clinics is essential in order to detect and promptly treat patients suffering from depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]