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Al Saadoon M, Eltayib RAA, Alhaj AH, Chan MF, Aldhafri S, Al-Adawi S. The Perception and Roles of School Mental Health Professionals Regarding School Bullying ( Suluk Audwani) in Oman: A Qualitative Study in an Urban Setting. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:991. [PMID: 39200602 PMCID: PMC11353871 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21080991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/02/2024]
Abstract
With increasing mental health risks among school populations and prevalent bullying, school mental health professionals (SMHP) are crucial globally. This study explores the perspectives of SMHP on bullying in Omani schools, focussing on definitions, types, current practices, and future strategies. Involving 50 Omani SMHP from Muscat Governorate with at least three years of experience, data was collected through structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis. Six key themes emerged: The definition of bullying, its components, common types, current anti-bullying practices, challenges, and future suggestions. Bullying, termed "سلوكعدواني" (Suluk Audwani), meaning aggressive behavior, includes five components: perpetrators, victims, harmful behavior, spectators, and psychosocial factors. Verbal bullying, physical bullying, and cyberbullying are common and vary by age. SMHP frequently employ awareness-raising and psychological first aid. Challenges include resistance from students and parents and institutional barriers. In the future, SMHP will emphasize greater awareness to effectively address Suluk Audwani. Oman has adopted international best practices to recruit SMHP. SMHP's perspectives on Suluk Audwani reflect both their training and Omani cultural influences. Future research should explore various social strata to improve evidence-based understanding and prevention of Suluk Audwani.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Al Saadoon
- Department of Child Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman;
| | - Rawaa Abubakr Abuelgassim Eltayib
- Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman; (R.A.A.E.); (M.F.C.)
| | - Amjad Hassan Alhaj
- Sociology and Social Work, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman;
| | - Moon Fai Chan
- Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman; (R.A.A.E.); (M.F.C.)
| | - Said Aldhafri
- Department of Psychology, College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman;
| | - Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
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Al Azri Z, Al Hashmi I, Al Zaabi O. Development and validation of the intention to report child abuse tool: A psychometric research study. J Pediatr Nurs 2024; 77:e90-e96. [PMID: 38555196 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a lack of comprehensive and concisely validated tools to measure schoolteachers' intention to report child abuse and neglect in an Arabic context. This study aims to develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of the Intention to Report Child Abuse Tool (IRCAT) to measure schoolteachers' intentions to report child abuse and neglect. METHODS The framework proposed by Benson and Clark (1982) was used to guide scale development. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) and literature review guided the construction of the IRCAT items. Total of 653 Arab female schoolteachers from 200 cycle 1 education schools in Oman were recruited in the study using convenience sampling technique. The validity of the tool was determined by assessing its face validity, content validity, and construct validity. Psychometric properties were tested using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Inter-item correlations and internal consistency were used to determine the reliability of the tool. RESULTS The newly developed IRCAT demonstrated excellent face and content validity. Using EFA, four factors (i.e., attitudes, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and intention to report) were determined for construct validity (KMO = 0.92). The tool also showed good overall internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.82) and acceptable inter-item correlations (varied between 0.003 and 0.62, with about 20% of the correlation coefficients below 0.1). CONCLUSION This study suggests that the IRCAT is a valid and reliable tool to assess schoolteachers' intention to report child abuse and neglect in an Arabic context. IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE IRCAT tool can be utilized by researchers and practitioners interested in investigating the phenomenon of child abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Al Azri
- College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
| | - I Al Hashmi
- Maternal and Child Health Department, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
| | - O Al Zaabi
- College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
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Nurmatov U, Cowley LE, Rodrigues LB, Naughton A, Debelle G, Alfandari R, Lamela D, Otterman G, Jud A, Ntinapogias A, Laajasalo T, Soldino V, Stancheva V, Caenazzo L, Vaughan R, Christian CW, Drabarek K, Kemp AM, Hurt L. Consensus building on definitions and types of child maltreatment to improve recording and surveillance in Europe: protocol for a multi-sectoral, European, electronic Delphi study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e076517. [PMID: 38086601 PMCID: PMC10729059 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Child maltreatment (CM) is a complex global public health issue with potentially devastating effects on individuals' physical and mental health and well-being throughout the life course. A lack of uniform definitions hinders attempts to identify, measure, respond to, and prevent CM. The aim of this electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) study is to build consensus on definitions and types of CM for use in surveillance and multi-sectoral research in the 34 countries in the Euro-CAN (Multi-Sectoral Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect in Europe) project (COST Action CA19106). METHODS AND ANALYSIS The e-Delphi study will consist of a maximum of three rounds conducted using an online data collection platform. A multi-disciplinary expert panel consisting of researchers, child protection professionals (health and social care), police, legal professionals and adult survivors of CM will be purposefully recruited. We will approach approximately 100 experts, with between 50 and 60 of these anticipated to take part. Participants will rate their agreement with a range of statements relating to operational definitions and types of CM, and free-text comments on each of the statements to give further detail about their responses and areas of uncertainty. Consensus has been defined a priori as ≥70% of the panel agreeing or disagreeing with the statement after the final round. The responses to the open-ended questions will be analysed using a 'codebook' approach to thematic analysis, and used to refine the statements between rounds where no consensus is reached. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval has been granted from the Cardiff University School of Medicine ethics committee (reference number SMREC22/96). Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at workshops (including for the participants) and international academic conferences. The Euro-CAN network will also be used to disseminate the results, with results briefings and presentations to key public health and other relevant organisations in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulugbek Nurmatov
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Diogo Lamela
- Digital Human-Environment Interaction Lab (HEI-LAB), Lusófona University, Porto, Portugal
| | - Gabriel Otterman
- Barnafrid and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Athanasios Ntinapogias
- Department of Mental Health and Social Welfare, Institute of Child Health, Athens, Greece
| | - Taina Laajasalo
- Competence Cluster for Violence Prevention Work, Special Services Unit, Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Virginia Soldino
- University Research Institute of Criminology and Criminal Science, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vaska Stancheva
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, South-West University Neofit Rilski, Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
| | - Luciana Caenazzo
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Rachael Vaughan
- Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Cindy W Christian
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Katarzyna Drabarek
- Empowering Children Foundation, Warszawa, Poland
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Alison Mary Kemp
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Lisa Hurt
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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AlBalushi AA, Al-Asmi A, Al-Shekaili W, Kayed RR, Islam MM, Ganesh A, Al-Adawi S. Medical malpractice in Oman: A 12-year retrospective record review. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290349. [PMID: 37611051 PMCID: PMC10446241 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a paucity of studies documenting medical malpractice litigation in countries of the Arabian Gulf, such as Oman. OBJECTIVES To describe the characteristics of malpractice claims, the outcomes decided by the medical liability committee, and predictors of medical errors. METHODS This is a retrospective observational study that reviewed medical malpractice cases registered in Oman over a 12-year period (2010-2021) with the medical liability committee, known as the Higher Medical Committee (HMC). Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including multiple logistic regression techniques, were used for data analysis. RESULTS Between 2010 and 2021, the HMC registered 1284 medical malpractice cases, out of which 1048 were fully investigated. The number of registered cases increased during this period. These cases included those raised by Omani nationals and expatriates, with a majority (86%) raised by Omani complainants. Two-thirds (67%) of the cases involved adult complainants aged 18-60 years. About 43% of the cases were from the urban Muscat region, and 68% were related to public hospitals. The most common specialties involved were obstetrics and gynecology (20.1%), internal medicine (19.7%), surgery (17.6%) and orthopedics (13.8%). Half (51%) of the appeals or grievances were dismissed because they were not preceded by medical negligence or malpractice. The average waiting time to initiate the investigation was 10 months. Errors were more common among non-Omani complainants and cases related to private hospitals. Significant predictors of errors included nationality (i.e. Omani vs. non-Omani), the referring institution, the medical specialty and the type of health institution involved, and the waiting time to initiate the investigation. CONCLUSION To date, the number of cases of medical malpractice in Oman is lower compared to international trends, although there has been an upsurge in recent years. More research using a more robust methodology is warranted to contextualise the factors that contribute to this upward trend, as well as the preponderance in urban settings and among certain demographic populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abdullah Al-Asmi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
| | | | - Rana Rafiq Kayed
- Emergency Medicine Specialist / Rapporteur, Higher Medical Committee, Muscat, Oman
| | - M. Mazharul Islam
- Department of Statistics, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Aishwarya Ganesh
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
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Al-Sibani N, Chan MF, Al-Huseini S, Al Kharusi N, Guillemin GJ, Al-Abri M, Ganesh A, Al Hasani Y, Al-Adawi S. Exploring Hikikomori-like idiom of distress a year into the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Oman: Factorial validity of the 25-item Hikikomori Questionnaire, prevalence and associated factors. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0279612. [PMID: 37549148 PMCID: PMC10406187 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing literature that examines the Hikikomori-like idiom of distress (HLID) initially labelled this phenomenon as a culture-bound syndrome. However, the increasing number of reports from other parts of the world suggest that HLID could instead be a culture-reactive idiom of distress, originating from biopsychosocial disequilibrium and cultural upheaval. The impact of imposed social withdrawal due to the Coronavirus 2 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on the growing prevalence of HLID has not yet been adequately explored. Aims: The first objective is to examine the factorial validity of the 25-item Hikikomori Questionnaire (HQ-25) in Oman. Second, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of HLID following the lifting of SARS-COV-2 restrictions in the Arabian Gulf country of Oman. The third related objective is to examine factors associated with the variation of HLID. METHODS This cross-sectional online survey was widely distributed across the diverse socio-demographic population residing in Oman. After the validation of the questionnaire and the factorial validity, the Arabic version of HQ-25 was used to explore the prevalence and factors associated with HLID. RESULTS A total of 1529 participants were included in the study (response rate = 76.5%), of whom 44% (n = 673) expressed HLID. We randomly split it into half, one for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n = 764) and the other half for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (n = 765). From the EFA results, a three-factor model was found for the Omani version of HQ-25, which represented 52.87% of the variance with good internal reliability (Overall Cronbach's: 0.92; Socialisation: 0.92; Isolation: 0.84; Emotional support: 0.73). The CFA results report acceptable goodness-of-fit indices (χ2/df = 17.92, p < .001; CFI = 0.90; TLI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.04, 95% CI 0.02-0.07; SRMR = 0.05) of the three-factor model of the collected samples. All 1529 data were used in the respondents. The results of the logistic regression showed that married marital status (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.12-2.03, p = 0.007), older age (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-0.99, p = 0.008), living in an urban area (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56-0.91, p = 0.006), unemployed occupational status (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.30-2.88, p < .001), screen time (7+ hours vs. <4 hours: OR = 4.50, 95% CI: 3.16-6.41, p < .001; 4-7 hours vs. <4 hours: OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.61-2.70, p < .001), history of mental illness (OR = 3.70, 95% CI: 2.29-5.91, p < .001), and adverse childhood experiences (OR = 2.60, 95% CI: 2.03-3.20, p < .001) were significant risk factors for HLID. CONCLUSION The factorial validity of the HQ-25 performed in this study appears to mirror the previously reported 3-factor structures. Some of the associated factors appear to support and, conversely, dissent from the findings of previous studies. These are discussed in terms of the attributions of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic, demographic trends in Oman, and sociocultural factors specific to the region of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasser Al-Sibani
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh, Muscat, Oman
| | - Moon Fai Chan
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh, Muscat, Oman
| | - Salim Al-Huseini
- Department of Psychiatry, Al Masarrah Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | - Nutaila Al Kharusi
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh, Muscat, Oman
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Neuroinflammation Group, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mohammed Al-Abri
- Clinical Physiology, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh, Muscat, Oman
| | - Aishwarya Ganesh
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh, Muscat, Oman
| | - Yousuf Al Hasani
- Organizational Development & Education, Curative Services, Directorate General of Medical Services, Muscat, Oman
| | - Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh, Muscat, Oman
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Alkhawaldeh A, Al Omari O, Al Aldawi S, Al Hashmi I, Ann Ballad C, Ibrahim A, Al Sabei S, Alsaraireh A, Al Qadire M, ALBashtawy M. Stress Factors, Stress Levels, and Coping Mechanisms among University Students. ScientificWorldJournal 2023; 2023:2026971. [PMID: 37426577 PMCID: PMC10325878 DOI: 10.1155/2023/2026971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims To explore university students' levels of stress, stressors, and their coping style. Methods A cross-sectional correlational design with a convenience sample (n = 676) of university students who completed the Student-Life Stress Inventory (SSI) and Coping Strategies Indicator (CSI) was used. Findings. Overall, two-thirds of the participant reported moderate levels of stress. Students with chronic illness, living alone, low CGPA, and having exams today experienced a statistically higher mean level of stress. Students who are living alone used the "avoidance" method more significantly and the "social support" method significantly less compared with students who are living with their families and friends. Conclusion This study concurs with others that university students are prone to distress. To our knowledge, this is the first study in the region to explore the students' coping skills. Some of the employed coping and associated factors could be used to lay the groundwork for evidence-based prevention and mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Alkhawaldeh
- Department of Community and Mental Health, Princess Salma Faculty of Nursing, Al al-Bayt University, Mafraq, Jordan
| | - Omar Al Omari
- College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | | | - Iman Al Hashmi
- College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | | | - Amal Ibrahim
- Health Work Committees Association, Ramallah, State of Palestine
| | | | - Arwa Alsaraireh
- College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
- Faculty of Nursing, Mutah University, Al-Karak, Jordan
| | - Mohammad Al Qadire
- College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
- Princess Salma Faculty of Nursing, Al al-Bayt University, Mafraq, Jordan
| | - Mohammed ALBashtawy
- Department of Community and Mental Health, Princess Salma Faculty of Nursing, Al al-Bayt University, Mafraq, Jordan
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Al Balushi SS. Did Child Neglect Cause Severe Injuries in Nine Children?: Case series from a regional hospital in Oman. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 2023; 23:245-250. [PMID: 37377816 PMCID: PMC10292591 DOI: 10.18295/squmj.3.2022.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a global phenomenon that takes many forms, with child neglect being the most common. CAN comprises serious incidents with medicolegal implications for the caregivers. The recognition of CAN is still in its early stages in Middle Eastern cultures, including in Oman, where parental authority over children is traditionally sacrosanct. This case series presents nine serious incidents from a regional hospital in Oman from 2020-2021 that appear to fulfil the definition of child neglect. All cases were diagnosed by the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) team. This article provides evidence that child neglect exists in Oman and has resulted in the death of some children while causing significant physical, psychological and social sequelae in others. It also addresses risk factors and provides recommendations for management. Furthermore, the experience of the SCAN team and limitations of the current Child Protection Services in Oman are highlighted.
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Alqirnas MQ, Alrasheed F, Alhumaidan MI, Alrasheed M, Alkharashi Y, Almosa AS, Althaqeb EK, Almulhem SA, Khallaf SA, Almahmoud RS, AlTulaihi B. Non-Accidental Injuries in Pediatric Primary Care: A Systematic Literature Review of Objective Assessment Tools and Trends in Gulf Cooperation Council Region. Cureus 2023; 15:e35819. [PMID: 37033519 PMCID: PMC10075044 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.35819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonaccidental injuries (NAI) in pediatric primary care in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region refer to intentional injuries inflicted on children, usually by a caregiver or a family member. The region has seen an increase in nonaccidental injuries in recent years, and healthcare providers have a crucial role in identifying and managing the cases. The aim of research on nonaccidental injuries in pediatric primary care in the GCC region is to identify objective assessment tools and evaluate trends in the region. PubMed, Google Scholar, and EMBASE databases were searched using search string keywords. The search was conducted on 7th February 2023. The keywords included in the search included the search terms: nonaccidental injuries, pediatric, and GCC. All the studies were published between 1990 and 2023. The articles that passed the eligibility criteria were read fully to examine whether they would be relevant to the current systematic literature review. An initial search identified 3059 studies (Google Scholar = 6, EMBASE =12, PubMed = 4732). After the deletion of similar articles, only 3613 articles were left for further screening. The abstracts and titles of the left articles were scanned and screened to decide whether they were included in this systematic review. After deletion, 16 papers were inspected and read fully based on predefined eligibility criteria. Eventually, 11 papers were recognized and identified that passed the eligibility criteria of this systematic review. The studies reviewed in this analysis highlight the significant problem of child abuse in the GCC region, particularly neglect as the most common form of abuse. The studies also suggest that parents are the most frequent perpetrators of abuse. The need for policies and interventions to prevent child abuse and support victims is paramount.
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Chan MF, Ganesh A, Mahadevan S, Shamli SA, Al-Waili K, Al-Mukhaini S, Al-Rasadi K, Al-Adawi S. A Comprehensive Neuropsychological Study of Familial Hypercholesterolemia and Its Relationship with Psychosocial Functioning: A Biopsychosocial Approach. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12091127. [PMID: 36138863 PMCID: PMC9496838 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12091127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Over the past few years, there has been an increasing interest in viewing the diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) through the lens of the biopsychosocial model. However, other than a few epidemiological surveys, there is a dearth of studies from emerging economies that have examined FH using the biological, psychological, and socio-environmental facets of the aforementioned model. AIM. The three aims of the current study were as follows: (i) to examine the psychosocial status among patients with genetically confirmed FH, (ii) to compare their intellectual capacity and cognitive outcomes with a reference group, and (iii) to examine the relationship between health literacy and cognitive functioning. METHOD: Consecutive FH patients referred to the lipid clinic at a tertiary care center for an expert opinion were recruited into this study conducted from September 2019 to March 2020. Information regarding psychosocial functioning, health literacy, quality of life, and affective ranges was surveyed. Indices of current reasoning ability and cognition (attention and concentration, memory, and executive functioning) were compared with a socio-demographically-matched reference group. The current hypothesis also explored the impact of FH on health literacy and cognition. RESULT: A total of 70 participants out of 106 (response rate: 66.0%) initially agreed to participate. However, 18 out of 70 dropped out of the study, yielding a final total of 52 FH patients. With 27 (51.9%) males and 25 (48.1%) females, the mean participant age stood at 37.2 years (SD = 9.2), ranging from 21 to 52 years of age. In the psychosocial data, thirty-two percent (n = 17) of them had anxiety (HADS ≥ 8), and twenty-five percent (n = 13) had depressive symptoms (HADS ≥ 8). The performance of the FH patients was significantly impaired compared to the control group on the indices of current reasoning ability and all domains of cognitive functioning. In the univariate analysis conducted to compare cognitive functioning with health literacy status, only indices of attention and concentration emerged as being significant. CONCLUSION: The current study indicates that the FH population is marked with impediments in biopsychosocial functioning, including indices tapping into the integrity of health literacy, quality of life, affective ranges, and higher functioning such as cognition and current reasoning ability when compared with a socio-demographically-matched reference group. The present results support the hypothesis that chronic diseases vis-à-vis the sequelae of coronary artery disease can potentially impede biopsychosocial functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon Fai Chan
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Oman
| | - Aishwarya Ganesh
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Oman
| | - Sangeetha Mahadevan
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Oman
| | | | - Khalid Al-Waili
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Oman
| | - Suad Al-Mukhaini
- Directorate of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Oman
| | - Khalid Al-Rasadi
- Medical Research Center, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Oman
| | - Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud, Muscat 123, Oman
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +968-99380246
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Ambusaidi A, Al-Huseini S, Alshaqsi H, AlGhafri M, Chan MF, Al-Sibani N, Al-Adawi S, Qoronfleh MW. The Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Social Anxiety Disorder: A Focused National Survey. CHRONIC STRESS 2022; 6:24705470221081215. [PMID: 35252735 PMCID: PMC8894948 DOI: 10.1177/24705470221081215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is among the most common anxiety disorders worldwide with data largely emerging from the Euro-American and Pacific Rim populations. In contrast, there is a dearth of studies among the populations of Arabian Gulf countries including Oman. This study has two interrelated aims: (i) to explore the prevalence of SAD among Omani adults, and (ii) to tease out the links between socio-demographic factors and SAD in Oman. Methods A cross-sectional study via an online survey was conducted among 1019 adult Omani nationals residing in Oman. The presence of SAD was assessed using the Arabic version of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Results Nearly half the participants (45.9%, n = 468) exhibited “caseness” for SAD as defined by LSAS. In the multivariate logistic analysis, participants below 40 years of age were 1.6 times (OR = 1.568, p = .026) more likely to have caseness for SAD than those who were 40 and older. Women were 1.3 times (OR = 1.348, p = .038) more likely to exhibit caseness for SAD than men. Participants who had secondary or undergraduate education were respectively 1.5 times (OR = 1.45, p = .014) and 2.5 times (OR = 2.509, p < .001) to have caseness for SAD than those who were graduates. Conclusion The present data suggest that 45.9% of the participants reached the cut-off for caseness in LSAS, which is high compared to reports from other populations. The present accrued frequency is discussed within the context of the accrued response rate, socio-cultural factors as well as the tendency for self-reported measures to “produce” spurious results is also highlighted which, in turn, calls for studies that adopt more inclusive survey methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aamal Ambusaidi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences/Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
| | - Salim Al-Huseini
- Department of Psychiatry, Al-Massarah Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | - Hiba Alshaqsi
- Department of Psychiatry, Al-Massarah Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | - Manal AlGhafri
- Department of Psychiatry, Al-Massarah Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | - Moon-Fai Chan
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Nasser Al-Sibani
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences/Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
| | - Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences/Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
| | - M. Walid Qoronfleh
- Q3CG Research Institute (QRI), Research & Policy Division, Ypsilanti, MI, USA
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11
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Alazri ZN, Eisenhauer C, Hanna KM. Female teachers' child abuse reporting role in Oman: Results from focus groups. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2021; 122:105342. [PMID: 34600276 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schoolteachers are in a good position to identify and report suspected child abuse and neglect cases; however, they still fail to report all the cases. Recently, the Sultanate of Oman, which is a collectivistic culture, mandated schoolteachers to report any suspected case. However, there is a lack of evidence known to us about the factors associated with Omani teachers' reporting behavior. Such evidence is needed to inform the interventions that are designed to enhance teachers' reporting behavior. OBJECTIVE The current study was designed to address this gap by exploring the factors that affect Omani schoolteachers reporting behavior of suspected child abuse and neglect cases. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING A total of 26 participants were recruited from five basic education schools in the Muscat governorate in Oman. METHODS This is a descriptive qualitative study. Five focus group discussions were conducted. Thematic coding was used for data analysis. RESULTS Three themes were discerned from the data analysis. The factors that affect Omani schoolteachers as described by the participants were: 1) reporting within an environment of educational resource scarcity; 2) reporting within an environment of competing female social roles and their professional reporting role; and 3) reporting within an environment of complex and diverse abuse and neglect cases. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the role of culture in reporting behavior. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Nasser Alazri
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 66, Al-Khod 123, Oman.
| | - Christine Eisenhauer
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, 801 E. Benjamin Avenue, Norfolk, NE 68701-0469, United States of America.
| | - Kathleen M Hanna
- College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 985330 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5330, United States of America
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12
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Al-Busaidi AS, Ganesh A, Al-Adawi S, Al-Farsi YM, Al-Rawahi MK, Al-Mawali NA, Al-Kharousi NS, Al-Alawi M, Al-Mujaini AS. Development and validation of an instrument to measure physician awareness of bioethics and medical law in Oman. BMC Med Ethics 2021; 22:65. [PMID: 34022852 PMCID: PMC8140473 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-021-00619-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A different ethos with respect to the perception of medical ethics prevails in societies in transition such as those in the Arabian Peninsula, which makes it difficult to apply international principles of bioethics in medical practice. This study aimed to develop and psychometrically test an instrument that measures physicians’ awareness of bioethics and medical law and their attitudes towards the practice of medical ethics. Additionally, it examined physician correlates influencing the awareness of bioethics. Methods Following a rigorous review of relevant literature by a panel of experts, a 13-item instrument, the Omani physicians’ bioethics and medical law awareness (OBMLA) questionnaire was developed with the aim of assessing physicians’ awareness of bioethics and medical law. The study tool’s construct validity and internal consistency reliability were examined by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Cronbach’s alpha. In a cross-sectional study, the questionnaire was distributed among a random sample of 200 physicians at a tertiary hospital in Muscat, Oman. Participant characteristics that may influence awareness of bioethics and medical law were explored. Results The EFA of the OBMLA questionnaire resulted in three well-loading factors: (1) Physicians’ bioethics practice subscale (2) incentive related bioethics subscale and (3) medical law awareness subscale. Internal consistency reliability ranged between Cronbach’s α: 0.73–0.8. Of the total 200 participants, 52% reported that teaching medical ethics during medical school was inadequate. The overall mean (standard deviation, SD) of the bioethics awareness score and Omani medical law awareness were 27.6 (3.5) and 10.1 (2.1) respectively. The majority of physicians (73%) reported that they frequently encountered ethical dilemmas in their practice and 24.5% endorsed the view that unethical decisions tended to occur in their practice. Conclusion The study provides an insight into the practice of bioethics, and the awareness of bioethics and medical law among physicians in a teaching hospital in Oman. The OBMLA questionnaire appears to be a valid and reliable tool to assess a physician’s awareness of bioethics and medical law. In this preliminary study, it appears that participants have suboptimal scores on the indices which measure practice and awareness of bioethics and medical law. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12910-021-00619-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed S Al-Busaidi
- Directorate General of Primary Health Care, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Anuradha Ganesh
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
| | - Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Yahya M Al-Farsi
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Maryam K Al-Rawahi
- Medical Student, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Nusaiba A Al-Mawali
- Medical Student, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Nadiya S Al-Kharousi
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Mohammed Al-Alawi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Abdullah S Al-Mujaini
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
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13
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Chan MF, Al Balushi R, Al Falahi M, Mahadevan S, Al Saadoon M, Al-Adawi S. Child and adolescent mental health disorders in the GCC: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med 2021; 8:134-145. [PMID: 34350324 PMCID: PMC8319685 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpam.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Background The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with a predominant ‘youth bulge’ among its 54 million people, has witnessed an exponential increase in research pertinent to child and adolescent mental health (CAMH). Aside from a few narrative reviews, to date, no critical appraisal examining the magnitude of CAMH has emerged from this region. Aims This study aimed to report the prevalence rates of CAMH disorders in the GCC through a systematic review of the existing literature followed by a meta-analysis. Methods A systematic review of the literature from the six GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) was conducted. The databases used included Scopus, ProQuest, Pubmed, and a final check was performed on Google Scholar to account for any remaining studies that may have still been under review. Meta analytic techniques were then used to estimate prevalence rates of each specific mental disorder, i.e. ADHD, depression, anxiety, stress, eating disorders, and tobacco use disorder. Results A total of 33 studies from the six countries were included. The pooled prevalence of ADHD as per the Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale (VADHDDRS), clinical judgments, Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale (ADDES), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was found to be 13.125%, 13.38%, 26.135%, and 12.83%, respectively. The pooled prevalence of depressive symptoms solicited by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS), and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI Kid) was 44.684%, 45.09%, and 26.12%, respectively. The pooled prevalence of anxiety according to the DASS and the MINI Kid was 57.04% and 17.27%, respectively, while the pooled prevalence of stress as per the DASS was found to be 43.15%. The pooled prevalence of disordered eating solicited by the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) was 31.55%. Lastly, the pooled prevalence of tobacco use disorder per the Global Youth Tobacco Survey was 19.39%. Discussion To date, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of its kind from the GCC. The prevalence rate of CAMH disorders appears to be in the upper range of international trends. The higher rates could be attributed to the existing studies using suboptimal methodological approaches and instruments to solicit the presence of CAMH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon Fai Chan
- Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Rola Al Balushi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Maryam Al Falahi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Sangeetha Mahadevan
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Muna Al Saadoon
- Department of Child Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
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