Background Children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer often experience psychological distress... more Background Children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer often experience psychological distress, encompassing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of these conditions among Omani children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, alongside identifying contributing factors. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to June 2023 among a cohort of Omani children and adolescents (6-18 years old) diagnosed with cancer at three primary cancer referral centres in Oman. Validated Arabic-language versions of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children, and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised instruments were used to assess symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, respectively. An initial assessment (T1) was undertaken within the rst 3 months of diagnosis, followed by a second assessment (T2) 3-6 months later. Results Of 113 eligible participants, 101 agreed to participate in the study (response rate: 95.6%), with 92 (91.0%) completing both assessments and included in the nal analysis. Prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD decreased from 43.5%, 56.5%, and 32.6%, respectively, at T1, to 38.0%, 35.9%, and 23.9% at T2. All average scores were below diagnostic cutoff points, except for the depression score at T1. Anxiety and depression scores decreased signi cantly (p = 0.043 and 0.001, respectively) between T1 and T2, as did the overall prevalence of depression (p = 0.004). At T1, linear regression analysis showed signi cant correlations between anxiety scores and the child's age and PTSD score (p < 0.05); these variables were also correlated with depression scores (p ≤ 0.001). At T2, signi cant correlations were observed between anxiety scores and the child's age and PTSD scores (p < 0.001). At both T1 and T2, anxiety, depression, and PTSD scores remained signi cantly correlated (p < 0.001). Conclusions Omani children and adolescents recently diagnosed with cancer exhibit a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD over time. Age-appropriate communication, ongoing support, and mental health services are recommended to help this patient group cope with their diagnosis and manage their emotional wellbeing. There is a need for future research to determine the effectiveness of speci c psychological interventions in reducing the frequency of these disorders. In Arab countries, over 18,000 children below the age of 15 years are diagnosed with cancer every year, with annual incidence rates ranging from 7.5 to 12.8 cases per 100,000 children, although variations may be due to differences in registration accuracy [4]. In Oman, approximately 31% of the total population is under 19 years of age [5]. In 2019, a total of 2,307 patients were diagnosed with cancer, of which 2,089 patients (91.5%) were of Omani nationality and 124 (5.9%) comprised children aged 0 to 14 years [6]. However, the anticipated total number of annual cancer diagnoses is projected to rise to 8,549 by the year 2040 [7]. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are frequent in children and adolescents with cancer, with pooled prevalence rates of 13.92%, 20.43%, and 20.90%, respectively [8]. Recent research underscores a higher incidence of anxiety and depression in paediatric cancer patients and the heightened vulnerability of this demographic to post-traumatic stress symptoms, emphasising the need for a nuanced understanding of emotional challenges throughout the cancer diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and survivorship journey [9-12]. In itself, a diagnosis of cancer, along with accompanying physical symptoms and treatment side-effects, can lead to excessive tension, discomfort, and fear of death [8, 13]. Symptoms of depression, including low mood, despair, guilt, and loss of interest in usual activities, may also challenge patients' ability to function and adhere to treatment [14]. As Oman continues to make signi cant improvements in healthcare delivery and medical treatment, cancer survival rates among children and adolescents have improved. However, the emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis cannot be underestimated, and an understanding of these psychological repercussions is crucial as an essential indicator of patients' well-being to ensure the provision of comprehensive oncologic care [8]. Our study therefore aimed to identify the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD among Omani children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer and their associated factors, and to describe changes occurring over time. Methods Study design and setting A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting all Omani children and adolescents aged six to 19 years diagnosed with any type of cancer between 1st October 2021 and 30th June 2023. The study was conducted at the National Oncology Centre (NOC) of the Royal Hospital, the Paediatric Haematology Unit of the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), and the Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC). These centres, located in Muscat, the capital city of Oman, serve as the primary referral cancer centres providing integrated care for cancer patients throughout Oman. Recruitment of participants Participants were recruited during their visits to either the outpatient clinics of the three referral centres or upon admission to the oncology/haematology wards. Children and adolescents who were non-Omani or had cognitive and behavioural disorders (as documented in their medical records) were excluded from the study. Data collection An Arabic version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) tool was used to screen for anxiety symptoms over the past three months [15, 16]. This child self-report instrument includes 41 items scored on a 3-point scale (from 0 to 2), yielding ve factors matching classi cations outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, fth edition (DSM-IV) [16]. Overall, a total SCARED score of ≥ 25 may indicate the presence of an anxiety disorder, while scores of > 30 are more speci c to anxiety. According to a validation study, internal consistency (Cronbach's α) for the translated tool is 0.91, ranging between 0.65 and 0.89 for individual subscales [15].
Objectives To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer and Pap smear ... more 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
This study aimed to determine associations between hypothyroidism during pregnancy and selected m... more This study aimed to determine associations between hypothyroidism during pregnancy and selected maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods A retrospective, cohort study was conducted between January 2018 and December 2020 at the two main tertiary hospitals in Muscat, Oman. A total of 408 Omani pregnant women aged 18-45 years were
Journal of Clinical Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sep 28, 2021
Background: There is little research available regarding the psychological effect of the coronavi... more Background: There is little research available regarding the psychological effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on antenatal and postnatal women in the Middle East. This study aimed to evaluate the burden of the pandemic on the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women in Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from July to December 2020 at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman. A previously validated Arabic version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale was distributed to eligible participants via text message. Results: A total of 148 women completed the questionnaire (response rate: 12.8%). Of these, 35 participants (23.6%) reported symptoms of stress, ranging in severity from mild (n = 13, 8.8%) to extremely severe (n = 4, 2.7%); and 44 women (29.7%) reported some level of anxiety, most usually of moderate severity (n = 15, 10.1%). In addition, 46 women (31.1%) reported symptoms of depression, with 16 women (10.8%) having severe or extremely severe depression. Various factors were significantly associated with anxiety and depression levels, including lack of social support due to quarantine restrictions, the presence of an elderly individual at home, and the effect of the pandemic on monthly income (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of finances, family, and social support on the psychological wellbeing of pregnant and postpartum Omani women during this pandemic. In future, healthcare providers should implement awareness campaigns and educational programs to provide additional support to this population group during similar health crises.
Background: Contraceptive methods play a significant role in family planning. However, the knowle... more Background: Contraceptive methods play a significant role in family planning. However, the knowledge and attitude toward contraception among young female students in Oman is still unknown. Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude towards contraception among female college students attending Sultan Qaboos University-Oman. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 196 bachelor female college students using an online questionnaire. Information regarding their demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude towards contraception were collected. Results: More than half of the participants (n=127, 64.8%) selected "planning for pregnancies" as a meaning of family planning. Most of the participants (n=168; 85.7%) heard about contraception for the first time between the age of 15 to 19 years old. The vast majority of female students (n=183; 93.4%) knew about the different types of contraceptive methods with the "pill" being the most commonly known method (n=181; 92.3%), while emergency contraception was the least known method (n=26; 13.3%). The most frequent contraception knowledge source was "school and college" (n=169; 86.2%). 14.8% (n=35) of the unmarried students selected "concerns from side effects" as the reason for their nonintention to use contraception in the future. A significant association was found between living in urban areas and female students' having a better knowledge about the different contraceptive methods compared to living in rural areas (P-value= 0.041). Conclusions: Educational programs about the different contraceptive methods, their importance, and use are required to be delivered to young female adults early before marriage to help eliminate misconceptions and thus increase its utilization in the future.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), locally known as Khaliji, is a group of six Arab nations, inc... more The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), locally known as Khaliji, is a group of six Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern in the GCC region, but the research that synthesized the trend has received scant attention. The present narrative review examines existing research on the prevalence and frequency of IPV among Khaliji women in GCC nations. This review synthesized studies on physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviors perpetrated by an intimate partner. The prevalence rates of IPV among Khaliji women are observed to be high: women reported facing different types of abuse from their partners, namely physical (7% - 71%), sexual (3.7% - 81%), financial (21.3% - 26%) and psychological (7.5% - 89%), which is a culmination of controlling behavior (36.8%), emotional (22% - 69%) and social violence (34%). The extant studies in the GCC suggest that the most endorsed IPV was psychological abuse (89%) followed by sexual violence (81%). Qualitative content analysis of the associated factors resulted in four meaningful descriptors such as demographics of the victim, sociocultural factors, socioeconomic, and perpetrator-related issues. The study on IPV is still nascent and few. The way forward will require developing culturally appropriate interventions that address unique risk factors for IPV among Khaliji populations, strengthening institutional responses, and increasing awareness and social support for the victim of IPV.
Journal of clinical gynecology and obstetrics, Sep 1, 2021
Background: There is little research available regarding the psychological effect of the coronavi... more Background: There is little research available regarding the psychological effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on antenatal and postnatal women in the Middle East. This study aimed to evaluate the burden of the pandemic on the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women in Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from July to December 2020 at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman. A previously validated Arabic version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale was distributed to eligible participants via text message. Results: A total of 148 women completed the questionnaire (response rate: 12.8%). Of these, 35 participants (23.6%) reported symptoms of stress, ranging in severity from mild (n = 13, 8.8%) to extremely severe (n = 4, 2.7%); and 44 women (29.7%) reported some level of anxiety, most usually of moderate severity (n = 15, 10.1%). In addition, 46 women (31.1%) reported symptoms of depression, with 16 women (10.8%) having severe or extremely severe depression. Various factors were significantly associated with anxiety and depression levels, including lack of social support due to quarantine restrictions, the presence of an elderly individual at home, and the effect of the pandemic on monthly income (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of finances, family, and social support on the psychological wellbeing of pregnant and postpartum Omani women during this pandemic. In future, healthcare providers should implement awareness campaigns and educational programs to provide additional support to this population group during similar health crises.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical can... more Objectives: This study aimed 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: A cross-sectional survey was carried out at the clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, from October 2019 to February 2020. A total of 380 women were recruited. A validated Arabic-language questionnaire was utilized to collect data regarding the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of cervical cancer and related risk factors, and knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cervical cancer screening and Pap smear testing. Results: Of the 380 respondents, 85.5% and 55.0% had previously heard of cervical cancer and Pap smear testing, respectively; however, only 26.1% were knowledgeable concerning these topics. Knowledge scores were significantly assoc...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), locally known as Khaliji, is a group of six Arab nations, inc... more The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), locally known as Khaliji, is a group of six Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern in the aforementioned region, but research that synthesises this trend has remained scarce. The present narrative review examines existing research on the prevalence and frequency of IPV among Khaliji women who inhabit the GCC nations. This review synthesised studies on physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviours perpetrated by an intimate partner. The prevalence rates of IPV among Khaliji women were observed to be high: women reported facing different types of abuse from their partners, namely physical (7–71%), sexual (3.7–81%), financial (21.3–26%), and psychological (7.5–89%), which is a culmination of controlling behaviour (36.8%), emotional violence (22–69%), and social violence (34%). Existing stu...
Journal of Clinical Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2021
Background: There is little research available regarding the psychological effect of the coronavi... more Background: There is little research available regarding the psychological effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on antenatal and postnatal women in the Middle East. This study aimed to evaluate the burden of the pandemic on the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women in Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from July to December 2020 at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman. A previously validated Arabic version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale was distributed to eligible participants via text message. Results: A total of 148 women completed the questionnaire (response rate: 12.8%). Of these, 35 participants (23.6%) reported symptoms of stress, ranging in severity from mild (n = 13, 8.8%) to extremely severe (n = 4, 2.7%); and 44 women (29.7%) reported some level of anxiety, most usually of moderate severity (n = 15, 10.1%). In addition, 46 women (31.1%) reported symptoms of depression, with 16 women (10.8%) having severe or extremely severe depression. Various factors were significantly associated with anxiety and depression levels, including lack of social support due to quarantine restrictions, the presence of an elderly individual at home, and the effect of the pandemic on monthly income (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of finances, family, and social support on the psychological wellbeing of pregnant and postpartum Omani women during this pandemic. In future, healthcare providers should implement awareness campaigns and educational programs to provide additional support to this population group during similar health crises.
BACKGROUND: Social withdrawal and avoidance (SWA) have been studied extensively. However, there i... more BACKGROUND: Social withdrawal and avoidance (SWA) have been studied extensively. However, there is a lack of research on the subtypes of SWA in the Global South. The present review aimed to investigate how common SWA is in the Global South. METHODS: Adhering to the standards of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and included all articles that were published or in the press as of August 1, 2022. Once the evaluation of the articles was completed using the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, the random–effects model was used to estimate the prevalence of social anxiety disorders using specific diagnostic tools. RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 29 articles on the only subtype of SWA that yielded the most meaningful results: social anxiety disorders (SADs). Social Phobia Inventory (n= 7669), the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (n=7352), Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders scale (n= 1178) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (n= 7777) i...
Background Children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer often experience psychological distress... more Background Children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer often experience psychological distress, encompassing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of these conditions among Omani children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, alongside identifying contributing factors. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to June 2023 among a cohort of Omani children and adolescents (6-18 years old) diagnosed with cancer at three primary cancer referral centres in Oman. Validated Arabic-language versions of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children, and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised instruments were used to assess symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, respectively. An initial assessment (T1) was undertaken within the rst 3 months of diagnosis, followed by a second assessment (T2) 3-6 months later. Results Of 113 eligible participants, 101 agreed to participate in the study (response rate: 95.6%), with 92 (91.0%) completing both assessments and included in the nal analysis. Prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD decreased from 43.5%, 56.5%, and 32.6%, respectively, at T1, to 38.0%, 35.9%, and 23.9% at T2. All average scores were below diagnostic cutoff points, except for the depression score at T1. Anxiety and depression scores decreased signi cantly (p = 0.043 and 0.001, respectively) between T1 and T2, as did the overall prevalence of depression (p = 0.004). At T1, linear regression analysis showed signi cant correlations between anxiety scores and the child's age and PTSD score (p < 0.05); these variables were also correlated with depression scores (p ≤ 0.001). At T2, signi cant correlations were observed between anxiety scores and the child's age and PTSD scores (p < 0.001). At both T1 and T2, anxiety, depression, and PTSD scores remained signi cantly correlated (p < 0.001). Conclusions Omani children and adolescents recently diagnosed with cancer exhibit a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD over time. Age-appropriate communication, ongoing support, and mental health services are recommended to help this patient group cope with their diagnosis and manage their emotional wellbeing. There is a need for future research to determine the effectiveness of speci c psychological interventions in reducing the frequency of these disorders. In Arab countries, over 18,000 children below the age of 15 years are diagnosed with cancer every year, with annual incidence rates ranging from 7.5 to 12.8 cases per 100,000 children, although variations may be due to differences in registration accuracy [4]. In Oman, approximately 31% of the total population is under 19 years of age [5]. In 2019, a total of 2,307 patients were diagnosed with cancer, of which 2,089 patients (91.5%) were of Omani nationality and 124 (5.9%) comprised children aged 0 to 14 years [6]. However, the anticipated total number of annual cancer diagnoses is projected to rise to 8,549 by the year 2040 [7]. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are frequent in children and adolescents with cancer, with pooled prevalence rates of 13.92%, 20.43%, and 20.90%, respectively [8]. Recent research underscores a higher incidence of anxiety and depression in paediatric cancer patients and the heightened vulnerability of this demographic to post-traumatic stress symptoms, emphasising the need for a nuanced understanding of emotional challenges throughout the cancer diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and survivorship journey [9-12]. In itself, a diagnosis of cancer, along with accompanying physical symptoms and treatment side-effects, can lead to excessive tension, discomfort, and fear of death [8, 13]. Symptoms of depression, including low mood, despair, guilt, and loss of interest in usual activities, may also challenge patients' ability to function and adhere to treatment [14]. As Oman continues to make signi cant improvements in healthcare delivery and medical treatment, cancer survival rates among children and adolescents have improved. However, the emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis cannot be underestimated, and an understanding of these psychological repercussions is crucial as an essential indicator of patients' well-being to ensure the provision of comprehensive oncologic care [8]. Our study therefore aimed to identify the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD among Omani children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer and their associated factors, and to describe changes occurring over time. Methods Study design and setting A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting all Omani children and adolescents aged six to 19 years diagnosed with any type of cancer between 1st October 2021 and 30th June 2023. The study was conducted at the National Oncology Centre (NOC) of the Royal Hospital, the Paediatric Haematology Unit of the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), and the Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (SQCCCRC). These centres, located in Muscat, the capital city of Oman, serve as the primary referral cancer centres providing integrated care for cancer patients throughout Oman. Recruitment of participants Participants were recruited during their visits to either the outpatient clinics of the three referral centres or upon admission to the oncology/haematology wards. Children and adolescents who were non-Omani or had cognitive and behavioural disorders (as documented in their medical records) were excluded from the study. Data collection An Arabic version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) tool was used to screen for anxiety symptoms over the past three months [15, 16]. This child self-report instrument includes 41 items scored on a 3-point scale (from 0 to 2), yielding ve factors matching classi cations outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, fth edition (DSM-IV) [16]. Overall, a total SCARED score of ≥ 25 may indicate the presence of an anxiety disorder, while scores of > 30 are more speci c to anxiety. According to a validation study, internal consistency (Cronbach's α) for the translated tool is 0.91, ranging between 0.65 and 0.89 for individual subscales [15].
Objectives To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer and Pap smear ... more 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
This study aimed to determine associations between hypothyroidism during pregnancy and selected m... more This study aimed to determine associations between hypothyroidism during pregnancy and selected maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods A retrospective, cohort study was conducted between January 2018 and December 2020 at the two main tertiary hospitals in Muscat, Oman. A total of 408 Omani pregnant women aged 18-45 years were
Journal of Clinical Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sep 28, 2021
Background: There is little research available regarding the psychological effect of the coronavi... more Background: There is little research available regarding the psychological effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on antenatal and postnatal women in the Middle East. This study aimed to evaluate the burden of the pandemic on the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women in Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from July to December 2020 at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman. A previously validated Arabic version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale was distributed to eligible participants via text message. Results: A total of 148 women completed the questionnaire (response rate: 12.8%). Of these, 35 participants (23.6%) reported symptoms of stress, ranging in severity from mild (n = 13, 8.8%) to extremely severe (n = 4, 2.7%); and 44 women (29.7%) reported some level of anxiety, most usually of moderate severity (n = 15, 10.1%). In addition, 46 women (31.1%) reported symptoms of depression, with 16 women (10.8%) having severe or extremely severe depression. Various factors were significantly associated with anxiety and depression levels, including lack of social support due to quarantine restrictions, the presence of an elderly individual at home, and the effect of the pandemic on monthly income (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of finances, family, and social support on the psychological wellbeing of pregnant and postpartum Omani women during this pandemic. In future, healthcare providers should implement awareness campaigns and educational programs to provide additional support to this population group during similar health crises.
Background: Contraceptive methods play a significant role in family planning. However, the knowle... more Background: Contraceptive methods play a significant role in family planning. However, the knowledge and attitude toward contraception among young female students in Oman is still unknown. Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude towards contraception among female college students attending Sultan Qaboos University-Oman. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 196 bachelor female college students using an online questionnaire. Information regarding their demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude towards contraception were collected. Results: More than half of the participants (n=127, 64.8%) selected "planning for pregnancies" as a meaning of family planning. Most of the participants (n=168; 85.7%) heard about contraception for the first time between the age of 15 to 19 years old. The vast majority of female students (n=183; 93.4%) knew about the different types of contraceptive methods with the "pill" being the most commonly known method (n=181; 92.3%), while emergency contraception was the least known method (n=26; 13.3%). The most frequent contraception knowledge source was "school and college" (n=169; 86.2%). 14.8% (n=35) of the unmarried students selected "concerns from side effects" as the reason for their nonintention to use contraception in the future. A significant association was found between living in urban areas and female students' having a better knowledge about the different contraceptive methods compared to living in rural areas (P-value= 0.041). Conclusions: Educational programs about the different contraceptive methods, their importance, and use are required to be delivered to young female adults early before marriage to help eliminate misconceptions and thus increase its utilization in the future.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), locally known as Khaliji, is a group of six Arab nations, inc... more The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), locally known as Khaliji, is a group of six Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern in the GCC region, but the research that synthesized the trend has received scant attention. The present narrative review examines existing research on the prevalence and frequency of IPV among Khaliji women in GCC nations. This review synthesized studies on physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviors perpetrated by an intimate partner. The prevalence rates of IPV among Khaliji women are observed to be high: women reported facing different types of abuse from their partners, namely physical (7% - 71%), sexual (3.7% - 81%), financial (21.3% - 26%) and psychological (7.5% - 89%), which is a culmination of controlling behavior (36.8%), emotional (22% - 69%) and social violence (34%). The extant studies in the GCC suggest that the most endorsed IPV was psychological abuse (89%) followed by sexual violence (81%). Qualitative content analysis of the associated factors resulted in four meaningful descriptors such as demographics of the victim, sociocultural factors, socioeconomic, and perpetrator-related issues. The study on IPV is still nascent and few. The way forward will require developing culturally appropriate interventions that address unique risk factors for IPV among Khaliji populations, strengthening institutional responses, and increasing awareness and social support for the victim of IPV.
Journal of clinical gynecology and obstetrics, Sep 1, 2021
Background: There is little research available regarding the psychological effect of the coronavi... more Background: There is little research available regarding the psychological effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on antenatal and postnatal women in the Middle East. This study aimed to evaluate the burden of the pandemic on the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women in Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from July to December 2020 at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman. A previously validated Arabic version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale was distributed to eligible participants via text message. Results: A total of 148 women completed the questionnaire (response rate: 12.8%). Of these, 35 participants (23.6%) reported symptoms of stress, ranging in severity from mild (n = 13, 8.8%) to extremely severe (n = 4, 2.7%); and 44 women (29.7%) reported some level of anxiety, most usually of moderate severity (n = 15, 10.1%). In addition, 46 women (31.1%) reported symptoms of depression, with 16 women (10.8%) having severe or extremely severe depression. Various factors were significantly associated with anxiety and depression levels, including lack of social support due to quarantine restrictions, the presence of an elderly individual at home, and the effect of the pandemic on monthly income (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of finances, family, and social support on the psychological wellbeing of pregnant and postpartum Omani women during this pandemic. In future, healthcare providers should implement awareness campaigns and educational programs to provide additional support to this population group during similar health crises.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical can... more Objectives: This study aimed 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: A cross-sectional survey was carried out at the clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, from October 2019 to February 2020. A total of 380 women were recruited. A validated Arabic-language questionnaire was utilized to collect data regarding the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of cervical cancer and related risk factors, and knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cervical cancer screening and Pap smear testing. Results: Of the 380 respondents, 85.5% and 55.0% had previously heard of cervical cancer and Pap smear testing, respectively; however, only 26.1% were knowledgeable concerning these topics. Knowledge scores were significantly assoc...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), locally known as Khaliji, is a group of six Arab nations, inc... more The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), locally known as Khaliji, is a group of six Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern in the aforementioned region, but research that synthesises this trend has remained scarce. The present narrative review examines existing research on the prevalence and frequency of IPV among Khaliji women who inhabit the GCC nations. This review synthesised studies on physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviours perpetrated by an intimate partner. The prevalence rates of IPV among Khaliji women were observed to be high: women reported facing different types of abuse from their partners, namely physical (7–71%), sexual (3.7–81%), financial (21.3–26%), and psychological (7.5–89%), which is a culmination of controlling behaviour (36.8%), emotional violence (22–69%), and social violence (34%). Existing stu...
Journal of Clinical Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2021
Background: There is little research available regarding the psychological effect of the coronavi... more Background: There is little research available regarding the psychological effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on antenatal and postnatal women in the Middle East. This study aimed to evaluate the burden of the pandemic on the mental health of pregnant and postpartum women in Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from July to December 2020 at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman. A previously validated Arabic version of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale was distributed to eligible participants via text message. Results: A total of 148 women completed the questionnaire (response rate: 12.8%). Of these, 35 participants (23.6%) reported symptoms of stress, ranging in severity from mild (n = 13, 8.8%) to extremely severe (n = 4, 2.7%); and 44 women (29.7%) reported some level of anxiety, most usually of moderate severity (n = 15, 10.1%). In addition, 46 women (31.1%) reported symptoms of depression, with 16 women (10.8%) having severe or extremely severe depression. Various factors were significantly associated with anxiety and depression levels, including lack of social support due to quarantine restrictions, the presence of an elderly individual at home, and the effect of the pandemic on monthly income (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of finances, family, and social support on the psychological wellbeing of pregnant and postpartum Omani women during this pandemic. In future, healthcare providers should implement awareness campaigns and educational programs to provide additional support to this population group during similar health crises.
BACKGROUND: Social withdrawal and avoidance (SWA) have been studied extensively. However, there i... more BACKGROUND: Social withdrawal and avoidance (SWA) have been studied extensively. However, there is a lack of research on the subtypes of SWA in the Global South. The present review aimed to investigate how common SWA is in the Global South. METHODS: Adhering to the standards of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and included all articles that were published or in the press as of August 1, 2022. Once the evaluation of the articles was completed using the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, the random–effects model was used to estimate the prevalence of social anxiety disorders using specific diagnostic tools. RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 29 articles on the only subtype of SWA that yielded the most meaningful results: social anxiety disorders (SADs). Social Phobia Inventory (n= 7669), the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (n=7352), Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders scale (n= 1178) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (n= 7777) i...
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Papers by Hana Al Sumri