Background. Antimicrobial resistance is increasingly recognized as a global challenge. A few studies have emerged on epidemiology of multidrug resistant organisms in tertiary care settings in the Arabian Gulf. Aim. To describe the epidemiology of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Oman. Methods. A retrospective review of MDRO records has been conducted throughout the period from January 2012 till December 2012. Organisms were identified and tested by an automated identification and susceptibility system, and the antibiotic susceptibility testing was confirmed by the disk diffusion method. Results. Out of the total of 29,245 admissions, there have been 315 patients registered as MDRO patients giving an overall prevalence rate of 10.8 (95% CI 9.3, 12.4) MDRO cases per 1000 admissions. In addition, the prevalence rate of MDRO isolates was 11.2 (95% CI 9.7, 12.9) per 1000 admissions. Overall, increasing trends in prevalence rates of MDRO patients and MDRO isolates were observed throughout the study period. Conclusion. Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging challenge in Oman. Continuous monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility and strict adherence to infection prevention guidelines are essential to prevent proliferation of MDRO. Along such quest, stringent antibiotic prescription guidelines are needed in the country.

In line with international best practice, the Arabian Gulf countries have ratified the Convention on the Right of the Child (CRC), which has some clauses on child abuse and neglect. The present discourse, made from within an Arabian Gulf society, specifically Oman, reviews the socio-cultural differences of the region and explores the potential regional challenges for effectively implementing the CRC mandated child protection legislation. The international best practices evolved for individualistic, "guilt-based" societies, which may need to be modified to suit the "shame-based" collective societies in the Arabian Gulf where the individual autonomy is overridden by that of the family and society. This may mean that the entire spectrum of child abuse may need to be studied in-depth, starting from what constitutes child abuse and neglect, the methods adopted for identifying cases, setting preventive measures in place, applying penal and corrective action on the perpetrators, and helping the victims recover. It is posited that while modifying the laws may be straightforward, implementation of certain clauses may initially come into conflict with deeply engrained sociocultural conventions on these societies which have different parenting styles and childrearing practices. The country in focus is Oman. Pointing out the sparsity of research on the topic in the region, the study suggests additional research to understand how to reconcile these sociocultural constraints with the international best practices of protecting child rights. Keywords Convention on the right of the child. Children's rights. Social policy. Children at risk. Child indicators across the border. Oman. Arabian gulf region

No abstract

No abstract

Background: With recent affluence, Oman has witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of Omani nationals with type 2 diabetes. Most national studies have focused on quantifying the magnitude of the problem, and issues related to co-morbidity. The purpose of this study was to explore the health beliefs associated with diabetes self-management among adult Omani patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This study employed the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the theoretical framework. A structured open-ended interview question guide was developed based on the constructs of the HBM and based on literature regarding various factors associated with diabetes management. The study was conducted in seven conveniently selected Primary Health Care (PHC) centers in the Muscat Governorate. In total 29 patients with type 2 diabetes were invited at convenience, while visiting the centers for regular follow ups, to participate and were interviewed based on written consents. Results: Applying the HBM with this group of patients indicated to six factors as barriers to diabetes self-care: (1) cost of self-monitoring for blood glucose level, (2) social interactions, (3) negative feelings associated with living with the disease, (4) lack of accurate practical and culturally-sensitive health education about diet and exercise, (5) fatalism, and (6) low self-efficacy. Diabetes self-management education was not valued and a large number (19/29) did not actively seek information about diabetes. Conclusion:The findings here point to the urgent need for a culturally appropriate diabetes education program with respected to the health beliefs indicated here.