Research Projects

Effects of healthy diet in reducing symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and improving quality of life among Omani Adolescents; a randomized controlled open label trial

Project Code: RF/MED/FMCO/21/02

Dates: Sep 2021– current

Value: 3000 OMR

Project Funder: Deanship of Research Fund, Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Maisa Al-Kiyumi, Dept of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Zalikha Al-Belushi, Dept of Primary Care, North Al Batinah, MOH; Dr. Rawan Al-Musharfi, Dept of Primary Care, MOH; Amal Al-Amri, Medical student, SQU; Fathiya Al-Rahbi, Dep of Nutrition, MOH; Dr. Sanjay Jaju, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mahrezi, Dept of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH.

Perception of Family Interaction among Young Omani Breast Cancer Survivors

Project code: MREC # 2442 

Dates: 30^th October 2021 - current

Value: 4000 OMR

Project funder: Internal Grant, Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU; Dr. Huda Al-Awaisi, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Center, Nursing Directorate; Dr Khalid Al-Bimani, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Center.

An ecological study to explore the impact of healthcare resources, macroeconomic status, and demographic factors on infant mortality rates in the GCC countries

Project code: Nil  

Dates:  30^th October 2021 - current

Value: Unfunded.  

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Moon Fai Chan; Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman; Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman; Dr. Hana Al-Sumri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman

The impact of health care resources, socioeconomic status, and demographic factors on infant mortality rates in Oman: evidence from 1980 to 2020

Project code: Nil

Dates: 30^th October 2021-current

Value: 5900 OMR

Project funder: Internal Grant, Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Moon Fai Chan; Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman; Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU.

A study to explore the effectiveness of an educational program on awareness of cancer signs and symptoms among school students in Oman

Project code: MREC # 2440  

Dates: 2021 - current 

Value: Unfunded.  

Project funder: Nil 

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU; Dr. Moon Fai Chan; Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman; Khadija Said Rashid Al Hosni, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman.

A study to explore the effectiveness of an educational program on awareness and knowledge of breast cancer signs and symptoms among school female students in Oman

Project code: MREC # 2441 

Dates: 2021 - current 

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil 

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU; Dr. Moon Fai Chan; Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman; Khadija Said Rashid Al Hosni, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman.

Exploring the Barriers to Implement Cancer Education Program within School Curricula in the Sultanate of Oman: A qualitative study of teachers and policymakers

Project code: MREC # 2597 

Dates: 2021 - current 

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil 

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU; Dr. Moon Fai Chan; Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman; Khadija Said Rashid Al Hosni, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman.

Prevalence of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Children with Acute Leukemia and their Caregivers

Project code: MREC # 2604 

Dates: 2021 - current 

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil 

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU; Dr. Moon Fai Chan; Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman; Laila Salim Al-Saadi, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU; Dr. Amal Humoud Al-Sabahi, Pediatric Hematology Oncology / National Oncology Center/ Royal Hospital, Oman; Dr Jalila Said Al-Kendi, Pediatric Hematology Oncology / National Oncology Center/ Royal Hospital, Oman; Dr. Nawal Hamed Al-Mashaykhi, Pediatric Hematology / Child Health Department, SQUH, Oman. 

The experiences of Omani parents of children with acute leukemia - A qualitative study

Project code: MREC # 2605

Dates: 2021 - current 

Value: Unfunded.  

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU; Dr. Moon Fai Chan; Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman; Laila Salim Al-Saadi, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU; Dr. Amal Humoud Al-Sabahi, Pediatric Hematology Oncology / National Oncology Center/ Royal Hospital, Oman; Dr Jalila Said Al-Kendi, Pediatric Hematology Oncology / National Oncology Center/ Royal Hospital, Oman; Dr. Nawal Hamed Al-Mashaykhi, Pediatric Hematology / Child Health Department, SQUH, Oman.

Public Perception of Using Complementary and Traditional Medicine in the Treatments of Cancer in Oman

Project code: MREC # 2599 

Dates:  2021 - current 

Value: Unfunded.

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman; Nouf Ibrahim Al Rawahi, COM&HS, SQU, Oman; Ruqiya Mohammed Al Sinani, COM&HS, SQU.

Enhancing life quality in community-dwelling older Omanis by telling their life-story and creating their life-story book

Project code: RC/RG-MED/FMCO/21/01

Dates: 12/2021-11/2023

Value: OR 12,400

Project funder: Ministry of Higher Education, Research & Innovation in 2021

Investigators. Dr. M.F. Chan, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mahrezi, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Yaqoub Al-Saidi, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Hamed Al-Sinawi, Dr. A. Al-Harrasi, Dept. of Behavioural Medicine, SQU; Dr. Z. Al-Gheseini, Dept. of Arabic Languages and Literature, SQU.

Effects of virtual reality training on upper extremity motor recovery for stroke patients: A pilot study

Project code: EG/SQU-OLNG/21/05

Dates: 09/2021-08/2023

Value: OR 9,000

Project funder: Empowering People with Disabilities Research Grant Program, SQU-Oman LNG 2021

Investigators. Dr. Moon Chan, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Handan Al-Habsi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Mr. S. Ravindran, Dept. of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, SQUH; Mr. H. Al-Subhi, Dept. of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, SQUH; Mr. S. Al-Riyami, Dept. of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, SQUH.

Journal Publications

Risk Factors for Ischaemic Stroke in an Omani Community: A case-control study. Ganguly SS, Gujjar AR, Al-Harthi H, Al-Hashmi A, Jaju S, Al-Mahrezi A, Al-Asmi AR. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021 Nov;21(4):585-590. doi: 10.18295/squmj.4.2021.043. Epub 2021 Nov 25.

Prevalence and distribution of sesamoid bones of the hand in Omani subjects: a radiological study. Al-Khabori H, Al-Asmi M, Sirasanagandla SR, Al-Rashdi F, Al-Dhuhli H, Jaju S, Al-Mushaiqri M. Anat Sci Int (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-020-00560-0 [Scopus Q2; H index -36]

Short-Term Outcomes of Atosiban in the Treatment of Preterm Labour at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman: A tertiary care experience. Al-Riyami N, Al-Badri H, Jaju S, Pillai S. Sultan Qaboos University Med J, May 2021, Vol. 21, Iss. 2, pp. e–, Epub. 21 [Scopus Q3; H index-27]

Defining IL-6 levels in healthy individuals: A meta-analysis. Said EA, Al-Reesi I, Al-Shizawi N, Jaju S, Al-Balushi MS, Koh CY, Al-Jabri AA, Jeyaseelan L. J Med Virol. 2021 June; 93(6):3915-3924. doi: 10.1002/jmv.26654. Epub 2020 Nov 22. PMID: 33155686. [Scopus Q2; H index -121]

Depression in Urban Omani Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A cross-sectional study. Al Sumry SH, Al-Ghelani T, Jaju S. (2021). Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal [SQUMJ], 1(1). https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.4.2021.065 [Scopus Q3; H index-27]

Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Omani Adults with Iron Deficiency Anemia of Unknown Cause: A case-finding study. Ambusaidi S, Al-Busaidi A, Al-Salmani A, Davidson R, Al-Shekaili J, Al-Kindi M, Al-Kindi R. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.5.2021.101

Internet Addiction and Depression Among Postgraduate Residents:  A cross-sectional survey. Al-Mukhaini A, Al-Houqani F, Al-Kindi R. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.4.2021.008

Parental Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Antibiotic Use for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children. Al-Hashmi AS, Al-Shohomi AS, Al-Kindi R. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021 May 21(2):e289–296, Epub. 21 Jun 21. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2021.21.02.019

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Cervical Cancer Screening among Omani Women Attending Primary Healthcare Centers in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Al-Yahyai T, Al-Raisi M, Al-Kindi R. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2021 Mar 1;22(3):775-783. https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.3.775

Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Using the Latest World Health Organization Diagnostic Criteria among Omani Women in Muscat, Oman. Al-Subhi S, Al-Kindi R, Al-Rawahi A, Al-Siyabi I, Al-Mukhaini A. Oman Med J. 2021 Jan; 36(1): e215  https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2021.08

Domestic violence among literate Omani women: Prevalence, risk factors, and help-seeking behaviors. Al-Kindi A, Al-Shidhani N, Al-Kiyumi M. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal; 2021: 27(3):242-249

Discontinuation of hormonal contraception in Oman: prevalence and reasons. Al-Ghashri F, Al-Harthi H, Al-Shukri M, Al-Shidhani A. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. 2021. doi:10.26719/emhj.21.031

Attitudes Towards Cancer Patients: A cross-sectional study of Omani patients and attendees at a university teaching hospital. Al-Azri M, Al-Hattali F, Al-Ghafri H, Panchatcharam SM. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021 May;21(2):e221-e230. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2021.21.02.010. Epub 2021 Jun 21. PMID: 34221469; PMCID: PMC8219324.

Delays in Cancer Diagnosis During the Era of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic- Learning lessons. Al-Azri M. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J . ONLINE-FIRST: APRIL 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.4.2021.028

Symptom Perceptions and Help-Seeking Behaviours of Omani Patients Diagnosed with Late-Stage Colorectal Cancer: A Qualitative Study. Al-Suqri M, Al-Awaisi H, Al-Moundhri M, Al-Azri M. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2021 Feb 1;22(2):427-435. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2021.22.2.427. PMID: 33639657; PMCID: PMC8190347

Knowledge of symptoms, time to presentation and barriers to medical help-seeking among Omani women diagnosed with breast cancer: a cross-sectional study. Al-Azri M, Al-Baimani K, Al-Awaisi H, Al-Mandhari Z, Al-Khamayasi J, Al-Lawati Y, Panchatcharam SM. BMJ Open. 2021 Jan 21;11(1):e043976. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043976. PMID: 33478965; PMCID: PMC7825262.

Assessing Readiness for Lean Thinking in Healthcare Settings: The Case for Oman. Amrik S, Tharaka DV, Al-Balushi S, Prakash S, Al-Hajri A, Al-Farsi Y, Al-Arbi R. Accepted at Industrial Management & Data Systems. IMDS-02-2021-0120.R1, 13 July 2021.

Development and validation of an instrument to measure physician awareness of bioethics and medical law in Oman. Al-Busaidi AS, Ganesh A, Al-Adawi S, Al-Farsi YM, Al-Rawahi MK, Al-Mawali NA, Al-Kharousi NS, Al-Alawi M, Abdullah S. Al-Mujaini AS. BMC Med Ethics 22, 65 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-021-00619-1.     

Correction to: Quality of Life among Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disability, and Typical Development. Al-Farsi OA, Al-Farsi YM, Al-Sharbati MM, SAl-Adawi S, Cucchi A, Essa MM, Qoronfleh MW. Applied Research Quality Life (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-020-09896-1.

Types of Primary Healthcare Emergencies in Muscat, Oman A retrospective cross-sectional study of five primary care centres. Al-Mahrouqi A, Al-Maqbali RH, Faiza Al Fadhil, Al-Salmani AA. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.4.2021.037

Evaluating Trauma Care Capabilities using the Essential Trauma Care Guidelines of the World Health Organization, A cross-sectional study of primary health centres in Muscat, Oman. Al-Balushi A, Al-Balushi Z, Al-Salmani AA. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.4.2021.057.

Prevalence of Cytological Abnormalities in Papanicolaou Smears and Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer Among Women in Muscat, Oman. Al-Sekri E, Al-Musalhi A, Al-Abri K, Al-Kindi H, Al-Salmani AA, Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.4.2021.041

Knowledge, attitudes, practice and barriers of physicians to provide tobacco dependence treatment: A cluster analysis. Chan MF, Al-Saidi Y, Al-Sumri S, Al-Maskari B, Al-Hamrashdi H. Pan African Medical Journal Feb 19, 2021, 38:193. https://www.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/38/193/full

Child and adolescent mental health in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): a systematic review and meta-analysis. Chan MF, Al-Balushi R, Al-Falahi M, Mahadevan S, Al-Saadoon M, Al-Adawi S. International Journal of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 8:134-145.

A systematic review of sociodemographic, macroeconomic, and health resources factors on life expectancy. Wirayuda AAB, Chan MF. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health. 33(4):335-356. doi: 10.1177/1010539520983671

The effectiveness of interventional cancer education programs for school students aged 8-19 years: A systematic review. Al-Hosni K, Chan MF, Al-Azri M. Journal of Cancer Education. 36(2):229-239 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-020-01868-1

Factors associated with self-reported medical errors among healthcare workers: A cross-sectional study from Oman. Al-Balushi AA, Alameddine M, Chan MF, Al-Sadoon M, Bou-Karroum K, Al-Adawi S. International Journal for Quality in Health Care. mzab102, https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzab102

Depressive symptoms among primary healthcare workers during the novel SARS-COV-2 coronavirus pandemic in Muscat governorate. Al-Lawati A, Al-Ghafri T, Anwar H, Al-Ajmi F, Al-Hasani S, Chan MF, Mahadevan S, Al-Adawi S. Primary Health Care Research & Development. Online-First, 1–9. doi: 10.1017/S1463423621000335

Psychological and sleep-related factors among quarantined Omani students returning from abroad. Al-Mukhaini A, Al-Huseieni S, Al-Kaabi S, Chan MF, Al-Balushi R, Ganguly SS, Al-Adawi S, Anwar H. Biological Rhythm Research. Online 28 Apr 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/09291016.2021.1922826

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary care physicians regarding tobacco dependence treatment in Muscat governorate, Oman: A cross-sectional study. Al-Saidi Y, Al-Maskari B, Chan MF, Al-Sumri S, Al-Hamrashdi H. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. Online-First. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.4.2021.034

Cognitive function in adults with Thalassemia major in Oman: A pilot study. Daar S, Al-Saadoon M, Wali Y, Al-Mujaini R, Al-Rahbi S, Chan MF, Al-Siyabi A, Alansary N, Mahadevan S, Al-Adawi S. Oman Medical Journal. 9 Jan/no.42. DOI 10.5001/omj.2021.101

The sociodemographic and clinical profiles of adult ADHD patients in a university hospital in Oman. Mirza H, Al-Husseine S, Al-Jamoodi S, Al-Hosni A, Chan MF,  Zadjali F. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal Online-First https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.5.2021.104

Coping Strategies among Students with Chronic Medical Illnesses in Comparison to Healthy Students: Comparative Cross-sectional Study from Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. Al-Hadhrami R, Al-Azri I. Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care 2020; 2(2): 32-34.

Effectiveness of life review on depression among elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Al-Ghafri BR, Al-Mahrezi A, Chan MF. Pan Afr Med J. 2021 Nov 18;40:168. doi:10.11604/pamj.2021.40.168.30040. eCollection 2021.

Risk Factors for Ischaemic Stroke in an Omani Community: A case-control study. Ganguly SS, Gujjar AR, Al-Harthi H, Al-Hashmi A, Jaju S, Al-Mahrezi A, Al-Asmi AR. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021 Nov;21(4):585-590. doi: 10.18295/squmj.4.2021.043. Epub 2021 Nov 25.

Delay in Cancer Diagnosis During the Era of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Learning lessons. Al-Azri MH. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021 Aug;21(3):341-343. doi: 10.18295/squmj.4.2021.028. Epub 2021 Aug 29.

Knowledge and Experiences of Final Year Medical and Nursing Students with Regard to Palliative Care at Government University in Oman: A Questionnaire Based Study. Al-Azri M, Al-Saidi S, Al-Musilhi J, Al-Mandhari Z, Panchatcharam SM. J Cancer Educ. 2021 Aug;36(4):747-754. doi: 10.1007/s13187-020-01699-0.

Prevalence of Cytological Abnormalities in Papanicolaou Smears and Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer Among Women in Muscat, Oman. Al-Sekri E, Al-Musalhi A, Al-Abri K, Al-Kindi H, Al-Salmani AA. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021 Nov;21(4):598-603. doi: 10.18295/squmj.4.2021.041. Epub 2021 Nov 25.

Types of Primary Healthcare Emergencies in Muscat, Oman: A retrospective cross-sectional study of five primary care centres. Al-Mahrouqi A, Al-Maqbali RH, Al-Fadhil F, Al-Salmani AA. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021 Nov;21(4):572-577. doi: 10.18295/squmj.4.2021.037. Epub 2021 Nov 25.

Discontinuation of hormonal contraception in Oman: prevalence and reasons. Al-Ghashri F, Al-Harthi H, Al-Shukri M, Al-Shidhani A. East Mediterr Health J. 2021 Oct 27;27(10):993-1000. doi: 10.26719/emhj.21.031.

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system and breast cancer; Is there an association? Al-Kiyumi MH, Al-Battashi K, Al-Riyami HA. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2021 Sep;100(9):1749. doi: 10.1111/aogs.14188. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Primary Care Physicians Regarding Tobacco Dependence Treatment in Muscat Governorate, Oman: A cross-sectional study. Al-Saidi Y, Al-Maskari B, Chan MF, Al-Sumri S, Al-Hamrashdi H. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021 Nov;21(4):563-571. doi: 10.18295/squmj.4.2021.034. Epub 2021 Nov 25.

Development and validation of an instrument to measure physician awareness of bioethics and medical law in Oman. Al-Busaidi AS, Ganesh A, Al-Adawi S, Al-Farsi YM, Al-Rawahi MK. BMC Med Ethics. 2021 May 22;22(1):65. doi: 10.1186/s12910-021-00619-1.

The Introduction of Tobacco Excise Taxation in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Step in the Right Direction of Advancing Public Health. Delipalla S, Koronaiou K, Al-Lawati JA, Sayed M, Alwadey A, Al-Alawi EF, Al-Farsi YM, Almutawaa K, Hussain AHJ, Al-Maidoor W. 2021/11/1. DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-964904/v1

Period-prevalence and Publication Rate of Health Research Productivity in Seven Arabian Gulf Countries: Bibliometric Analysis from 1996 to 2018. Al-Farsi YM, Al-Bali NH, MK Al-Saqabi, Sayed M, Al-Mawali AH, Al-Adawi S. Oman Med J. 2021 Nov 22;36(6):e316. doi: 10.5001/omj.2021.100. eCollection 2021 Nov.

Economic cost of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Koronaiou K, Al-Lawati JA, Sayed M, Alwadey AM, Alalawi EF, Almutawaa K, Hussain AHJ, Al-Maidoor W, Al-Farsi YM, Delipalla S. Tob Control. 2021 Nov;30(6):680-686. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2020-055715. Epub 2020 Aug 19.

Assessing readiness for lean thinking in healthcare settings: the case for Oman. Sohal A, de Vass T, Singh P, Al-Balushi S, Al-Hajri AS, Al-Farsi Y, Al-Arbi R. Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 121 No. 11, pp. 2338-2361. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-02-2021-0120

Correction to: Quality of Life among Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disability, and Typical Development. Al-Farsi OA, Al-Farsi YM, Al-Sharbati MM, Al-Adawi S, Cucchi A, Essa ME, Qoronfleh MW. Applied Research in Quality of Life volume 17, pages147–148.

Changes in Self-Efficacy and Social Support after an Intervention to Increase Physical Activity Among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in Oman: A 12-month follow-up of the MOVE diabetes trial. Al-Ghafri T, Al-Harthi S, Al-Farsi Y, Craigie A, Bannerman E, Anderson A. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2021 Feb;21(1):e42-e49. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2021.21.01.006. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Cervical Cancer and Human Papilloma Virus in Oman. Al-Raisi M, Al-Yahyai T, Al-Kindi R. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. [Internet]. 2021 1(1). Doi: 10.18295/squmj.9.2021.140. https://journals.squ.edu.om/index.php/squmj/article/view/4586

The Psychological Effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Pregnant and Postpartum Women. Al-Sumri H, Al-Kindi R, Al-Sumri S. Journal of Clinical Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2021;10(3):73-80.

Assessing Family Medicine Residents’ Communication Skills in Oman Using the Communication Assessment Tool: A Cross-sectional Study. Al-Hadhrami R, Ziedan A, Al-Rawahi M., Al-Mahrouqi B, Azmi I. Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care. 2021; 2(2): 68-7

Validity of Red Cell Distribution Width Versus Red Cell Distribution Width Index to Differentiate between Iron Deficiency Anemia and βThalassemia Trait in an Adult Omani Population: A Cross-sectional Study. Al-Hadhrami R, Al-Jassasi K, Al-Balushi K, Al-Shaaibi A. Contagiosity: A Review. Primary Health Care: Open Access. 2021;11(S3, 400).

Radiological study of fabella in Omani subjects at a tertiary care center. Matroushi ODA, Sirasanagandla SR, Shabibi AA, Obaidani AA, Dhuhli HA, Jaju S, Mushaiqri MA. Anat Cell Biol. 2021 Sep 30;54(3):315-320. doi: 10.5115/acb.20.194. PMID: 33967029; PMCID: PMC8493026.

Radiologic evaluation of congenital anomalies of anterior and posterior arch of atlas in Omani subjects. Sirasanagandla SR, Sarhani SA, Dhuhli HA, Jaju S, Mushaiqri MA. Anat Cell Biol. 2021 Dec 31;54(4):436-440. doi: 10.5115/acb.21.101. PMID: 34353977.

The Unmet Supportive Care Needs of Omani Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Al-Azri M, Al-Bimani K, Al-Maqbali A, Al-Riyami H, Al-Shabnooti AK, Panchatcharam SM, Jaju S. (2021). Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal [SQUMJ] Aug 2021, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.9.2021.135

Workplace bullying, occupational burnout, work-life imbalance, and perceived medical errors among nurses in Oman: A cluster analysis. Chan MF, Al-Balushi AA, Al-Adawi S, Alameddine M, Al-Saadoon M, Bou-Karroum K. Journal of Nursing Management. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13432 [Online: In press]

Mental health outcomes among health care workers in Oman during COVID-19: A cluster analysis. Chan MF, Al-Shekaili M, Al-Adawi S, Hassan W, Al-Said N, Al-Suliman F, Jayapal KS, Al-Mawali A. International Journal of Nursing Practice. 27(6), e12998. doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12998.

Perceived stress and its correlates among medical trainees in Oman: A single-institution study. Al-Shamli S, Al-Omrani S, Al-Mahrouqi T, Chan MF, Al-Salmi O, Al-Saadoon M, Ganesh A, Al-Adawi S. Taiwanese Journal of Psychiatry (Taipei). 35(4), 188-196.

Clinical and socio-demographic predictors of depressive symptoms among patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A cross-sectional study from Oman. Al-Amri H, Al-Huseini S, Chan MF, Al-Alawi M, Al-Sibani N, Al-Adawi S. Oman Medical Journal. doi:10.5001/omj.2022.48.

Effectiveness of life review on depression among elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Al-Ghafri BR, Al-Mahrezi A, Chan MF. The Pan African Medical Journal. 18 Nov 2021, 40,168. doi:10.11604/pamj.2021.40.168.30040.

Prevalence of eating disorders and disordered eating in Western Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Al-Falahi M, Mahadevan S, Al-Balushi R, Chan MF, Al-Saadon M, Al-Adawi S, Qoronfleh W. Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention. 04 Sep 2021. doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2021.1969495.

Post-stroke psychiatric and cognitive symptoms in West Asia, South Asia, and Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mahadevan S, Chan MF, Moghadas M, Shetty M, Burke DT, Al-Rasadi K, Al-Adawi S. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021 Aug 18;10(16):3655. doi:10.3390/jcm10163655. PMID: 34441951; PMCID: PMC8397184.

Risk Factors of Extubation Failure in Intubated Preterm Infants at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Oman. Al-Mandhari HK, Al-Riyami B, Khan A, Nonoyama M, Rizvi SG. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal [SQUMJ], 1(1). https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.8.2021.122

Epidemiology of Drowning incidents among children at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital Muscat, Oman. Jeswani NL, Khilji MF, Rizvi SG, Al-Reesi A. Oman Med J. 2021 Nov. Vol. 36, No. 6: e320. Published online 2021 Nov 30. doi: 10.5001/omj.2021.104

Reliability of Carbapenem inactivation method (CIM) and modified Carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM) for detection of OXA-48 and NDM-1. Rizvi M, Sami H, Azam M, Ben Khalid D, Al-Jabri Z, Khan F, Sultan A, Singh A, Perween N, Al-Quraini M, Al-Muharrami M, Rizvi S. Indian J Med Microbiol. Oct-Dec 2021;39(4):451-456. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2021.07.004. Epub 2021 Jul 28.

Research Projects

The Role of Cupping Therapy in Pain Management: A Literature Review(chapter)

Project Code: Nil

Dates: 2020

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil
Investigators: Dr. Asma Al Shidhani, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mahrezi, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH

Challenges imposed by online-based learning on acquiring clinical knowledge and skills

Project code: MREC # 2298 

Dates: 30^th October 2020 - 2021

Value: Unfunded  
Project funder: Nil 

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Firdous Jahan, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Sohar, Oman; Arwa Hilal Salim Al-Azri, Medical Student, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Sohar, Oman; Laila Alwahaibi, Medical Student, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Sohar, Oman; Muhammad Siddiqui, Department of Research, Saskatchewan Health Authority Regina, SK, Canada.

Factors Contributing to the Unmet Needs of Primary Caregivers of Omani Children Diagnosed with Leukemia

Project code: (#MOH/DGPS/PROPOSAL_APPROVED/24/2020)  

Dates: 2020 - 2021

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Moon Fai Chan, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Amal Al-Dhawyani, Directorate General of Specialized Medical Care, Ministry of Health; Karima Al-Hinai, National Oncology Center, Royal Hospital.

Health-Related Quality of Life of Omani Colorectal Cancer Survivors

Project code: MREC #2186    

Dates: 2020 - 2021

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman Dr. Moon Fai Chan; Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Oman; Maryam Al-Shandudi, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman; Thuraiya Al-Hajri, National Oncology Centre, The Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman; Muna Al-Balushi, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care & Research Center, Muscat, Oman; Mansour Al-Mandhari, Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care & Research Center, Muscat, Oman.

Assessing family medicine resident’s communication skills at different residency levels using communication assessment tool. A cross sectional study

Project Code: MREC # 2129

Dates: March 2020 – May 2021

Value: 3000 OMR

Project funder: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Rahma Al Hadhrami, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Ayat Ahmed Fathi Ziedan, Medical Student, SQU; Mohammed Khalfan Al Rawahi. Medical Student, SQU; Dr. Badriya Fadhil Al-Mahrouqi, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Imran Saad Azmi, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH.

Can the international foundations of medicine exam and situational judgmental test predict the performance of Oman medical speciality board, family medicine applicant in mini-interviews?

Project Code: REC/05/2021

Dates: March 2021 – December 2021

Value: Unfunded

Project Funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Rahma Al-Hadhrami, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Najlaa Jaafar. Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Badriya Al Farsi, Family Medicine, AFH; Dr. Asma Al Belushi, OMSB.

The psychological effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on pregnant and postpartum women in Oman

Project code: SQU-EC/185/2020

Dates: 2019 - 2020

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Hana Al-Sumri, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQU; Dr. Rahma Al-Kindi, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Sanaa Al-Sumri, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH.

Genotypic characterization and detection of in - vitro synergistic antimicrobial combinations for treating Extremely Drug Resistant (XDR) and Pan Drug Resistant (PDR) Gram negative bacilli circulating in Oman  

Project code: IG/MED/MICR/20/01

Dates: 2020

Value: OR 4900

Project funder: Internal Grant, College of Medicine, SQU

Investigators: Dr. Meher Rizvi, Dept. of Microbiology, SQU; Dr. Zaema Al-Jabri, Dept. of Microbiology, SQU; Dr. Zakaria Al-Muharrami, Dept. of Microbiology, SQU; Dr. Abdullah Al-Balkhaer, Dept. of Medicine, SQUH; Dr. Badriya Al- Adawi, Dept. of Microbiology, Dr. Syed Gauhar A. Rizvi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU.

Journal Publications

Urinary Incontinence Among Omani Women: Prevalence, risk factors and impact on quality of life. Al-Kiyumi M, Al-Belushi Z, Jaju S, Al-Mahrezi A. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2020 Feb; 20(1): e45–e53. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2020.20.01.007

Unilateral Tongue Angioedema Induced by Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor: A Case Report. Al-Hoqani Z, Al-Kiyumi M, Al-Tamemi S, Al-Mahrezi A. Oman Med J. 2020 Jan; 35(1): e92. doi: 10.5001/omj.2020.10

The Effect of Antepartum Depression on the Outcomes of Pregnancy and Development of Postpartum Depression: A prospective cohort study of Omani women. Al-Rawahi A, Al-Kiyumi M, Al-Kimyani R, Al-Lawati I, Murthi S, Davidson R, Al-Maniri A, Al-Azri M. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2020 May; 20(2): e179–e186. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2020.20.02.008

Triterpenic Acids as Non-Competitive α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Boswellia elongata with Structure-Activity Relationship: In Vitro and In Silico Studies. Ur Rehman N, Halim SA, Al-Azri M, Khan M, Khan A, Rafiq K, Al-Rawahi A, Csuk R, Al-Harrasi A. Biomolecules. 2020 May; 10(5): 751. doi: 10.3390/biom10050751

Prevalence of Depression among Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) Residents. Al-Houqani F, Al-Mukhaini A, Al-Kindi R. Oman Med J. 2020 Mar; 35(2): e116. doi: 10.5001/omj.2020.34

Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Neonates Delivered at Term-gestation by Elective Cesarean Section at Tertiary Care Hospital in Oman. Al-Riyami N, Al-Hadhrami A, Al-Lawati T, Pillai S, Abdellatif M, Jaju S. Oman Med J. 2020 May; 2020(35): e133. oi: 10.5001/omj.2020.51

Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Diabetic Patients on Metformin Therapy: A cross-sectional study from Oman. Al-Hamdi A, Al-Gahhafi M, Al-Roshdi S, Jaju S, Al-Mamari A, Al-Mahrezi A. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2020 Feb; 20(1): e90–e94. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2020.20.01.013

Postoperative Functional and Cosmetic Satisfaction among Subjects Undergoing Open Versus Endonasal Septorhinoplasty: Five Years’ Experience from an Open-label Study at a Tertiary Care Center in Oman. Al-Abri R, Al-Bassam W, Al-Balushi F, Hlaiwah O, Jaju S, Al-Adawi S. Oman Med J. 2020 Mar; 35(2): e120. doi: 10.5001/omj.2020.38

Methylphenidate improves executive functions in patients with traumatic brain injuries: a feasibility trial via the idiographic approach. Al-Adawi S, Al-Naamani A, Jaju S, Al-Farsi Y, Atsu S. S. Dorvlo, Al-Maashani A, Al-Adawi SSH, Moustafa AA, Al-Sibani N, Essa MM, Burke D, M. Qoronfleh W. BMC Neurol. 2020; 20: 103. Published online 2020 Mar 19. doi: 10.1186/s12883-020-01663-x

Characteristic and psychosocial consequences of sexually abused children referred to a tertiary care facility in Oman: Sentinel study. Al-Shekaili M, Al-Kalbani Y, Hassan W, Al-Sulimani F, Al-Kasbi S, Chan MF, Al-Adawi S. Heliyon. 2020 Jan; 6(1): e03150. Published online 2020 Jan 6. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e03150

Acceptability of the “MOVEdiabetes” physical activity intervention in diabetes primary care settings in Oman: findings from participants and practitioners. Al-Ghafri T, Al-Harthi S, Al-Ajmi F, Al-Farsi YM, Craigie A, Bannerman E, Anderson A. BMC Public Health. 2020; 20: 887. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-09029-1

Hospital Prevalence of Colorectal Cancer among Colonoscopy Recipients Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Study. Alsumait AF, Al-Farsi YM, Waly MI, Al-Qarshoobi I, Al-Adawi S, Al-Bali N, Al-Moundhri M. ScientificWorldJournal. 2020; 2020: 5863126. Published online 2020 Apr 14. doi: 10.1155/2020/5863126

Effects of home-based pelvic floor muscle training on decreasing symptoms of Stress Urinary Incontinence and improving the quality of life of urban adult Omani women: A randomized controlled single-blind study. Al-Belushi Z, Al-Kiyumi M, Al-Mazrui A. Jaju S, Al-Rawahi A, Al-Mahrezi A. Neurology and Urodynamics 2020;1–10. DOI: 10.1002/nau.24404

"Letter to the Editor; The effects of psychoeducation based on the cognitive‐behavioral approach on premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized controlled trial”. Al-Kiyumi M. PerspectPsychiatr Care; 2020.doi.org/10.1111/ppc.12532

Sarcoidosis Presenting as a Penile Lesion: A Case Report. Al-Riyami H, Al-Kiyumi M, Al-Harthi R, Al-Mahrezi A. Oman Medical Journal [2020], Vol. 35, No. 1: e94. DOI 10.5001/omj2020.12

The relationship of sociodemographic and clinical profiles to the duration of untreated psychosis among adolescents with first-episode psychosis in an Oman tertiary hospital. Mirza H, Al-Huseini S, Al-Shamli S, Al-Dhahri M, Al-Rashdi Z, Al-Hosni A, Al-Hasani H, Jaju S, Al-Sibani N, Al-Adawi S. [18 Feb 2020] Psychosis, 12:2, 172-181, DOI: 10.1080/17522439.2020.1720272

Factors associated with mental health outcomes in Oman during COVID-19: Frontline vs. Non-frontline healthcare workers. Al-Shekaili M, Hassan W, Al-Said N, Alsulaimani F, Jayapal SL, Al-Mawali A, Chan MF, Mahadevan S, Al-Adawi S. (2020) MedRxiv doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.23.20138032

The prevalence of smartphone addiction and its correlation with depression among higher college of technology students, Oman. Al-Mahrooqi A, Al-Agbari1 T, Al-Shidhani A. Int J Res Med Sci. 2020 May;8(5):1833-1837. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20201937

IUCD-related Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice among Primary Health Care Providers in Oman: Areas for Improvement.  Al-Shidhani A. Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care 2020; 2(1): 9-15

Factors Associated with Choice of Career in Family Medicine among Junior Doctors in Oman. Al-Salmani A, Al-Shidhani A, Jaafar N, Al-Mahrezi A. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2020 Aug; 20(3): e337–e343.

Prevalence of sleep disorders among university students and its impact on academic performance. Al-Salmani A, Al-Shidhani A, Al-Qassabi S, Al-Yaaribi S, Al Musharfi A. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25:1, 974-981, DOI: 10.1080/02673843.2020.1815550

Factors associated with mental health outcomes across healthcare settings in Oman during COVID-19: Frontline versus non-frontline healthcare workers. Al-Shekaili M, Hassan W, Al-Said N, Al-Sulaimani F, Jayapal SK, Al-Mawali A, Chan MF, Mahadevan S, Al-Adawi S. BMJ Open 10(10), 10 Oct, e042030.DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042030.

Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among people living with HIV attending tertiary care hospitals in Oman. Al-Madhani A, Al-Harthi L, Balkhair A, Chan MF, Al-Busaidi B, Al-Sibani N, Al-Adawi S.

The Effectiveness of Interventional Cancer Education Programs for School Students Aged 8–19 Years: a Systematic Review. Al-Hosni K, Chan, MF, Al-Azri M. (2020) Journal of Cancer Education. (Inpress) DOI: 10.1007/s13187-020-01868-1.

A Systematic Review of Soci0demographic, Macroeconomic, and Health Resources Factors on Life Expectancy. Wirayuda AAB, Chan MF. (2020) Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health. 1-22 (Inpress) DOI: 10.1177/1010539520983671

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Primary Care Physicians Regarding Tobacco Dependence Treatment in Muscat Governorate, Oman: A Cross-sectional Study. Al-Saidi Y, Al-Maskari B, Chan MF, Al-Sumri S, Al-Hamrashdi H. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. (Accepted for publication, 3391R1, 01 Nov 2020)

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Effects of Domestic Violence Before and During Pregnancy on Birth Outcomes: An Observational Study of Literate Omani Women. Al-Shidhani NA, Al-Kendi AA, Al-Kiyumi MH. Int J Womens Health. 2020;12:911-925 (https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S272419)

Barriers and Attitudes toward Breast Cancer Screening among Omani Women. Al-Azri M, Al-Rubaie K, Al-Ghafri S, Al-Hinai M, Murthi Panchatcharam S. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2020 May; 21(5): 1339–1347. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2020.21.5.1339

Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing among Elderly Patients at a Primary Care Clinic in Oman. Al-Busaidi S, Al-Kharusi A, Al-Hinai M, Al-Zakwani I, Al-Ghafri F, Rizvi S, Al-Balushi K. J Cross Cult Gerontol. 2020 Jun;35(2):209-216. doi: 10.1007/s10823-019-09393-5.

Research Projects

Prevalence of sleep disorders among university students and its impact on academic performance

Project code: MREC # 1936

Date: 2019-2021

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Asma Al-Salmani, Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Asma Al-Shidhani, Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Shatha Saud Al-Qassabi, Family Medicine, MOH: Shahad Ahmed Al-Yaaribi, Medical Student, SQU; Aysha Muslem Al-Musharfi, Medical Student, SQU.

The Psychological Impact of Referral for Mammography Screening for Breast Cancer Among Women in Muscat Governorate A cross-sectional study

Project code: Nil

Date: 2019 - 2020

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Nouf Al-Alawi, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Nabila Al-Balushi, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Asma Al -Salmani, Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH.

Types of Primary Healthcare Emergencies in Muscat, Oman A retrospective cross-sectional study of five primary care centres

Project code: Nil

Date: 2019 - 2021

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil

Investigators:  Dr. Amal Al-Mahrouqi, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Raya Hamyar Al-Maqbali, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Faiza Al-Fadhil, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Asma Al-Salmani, Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH.

Domestic violence among Omani women: prevalence, risk factors and help-seeking behaviour.

Project Code: RF/MED/FAMCO/19/02

Dates: Sep 2019 – Sep 2020

Value: 3000 OMR

Project Funder: Deanship of Research Fund, Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Asma Al-Kindi, Dept of Primary Care, MOH; Dr. Nuhour Al-Shidhani, Dept of Primary Care, MOH; Dr. Maisa Al-Kiyumi, Dept of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH.

The impact of health care resources, socioeconomic status, and demographic factors on life expectancy in Oman: Evidence from 1979 to 2018 data

Project code: RF/MED/FMCO/19/03

Dates: 09/2019-08/2020

Value: OR 2,950

Project funder: Deanship of Research Grant, SQU

Investigators. Dr. M.F. Chan, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Sanjay Jaju, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Yaqoub Al-Saidi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH.

Coping Strategies among Students with Chronic Medical Illnesses in Comparison to Healthy Students: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study from Sultan Qaboos University, Oman

Project Code: MREC # 1977

Dates: February 2019 – May 2020

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Rahma Al Hadhrami, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Issa Yaqoob Al-Azri, Medical Student, SQU.

Validity of Red Cell Distribution Width Versus Red Cell Distribution Width Index to Differentiate between Iron Deficiency Anemia and βThalassemia Trait in an Adult Omani Population: A Cross-sectional Study Contagiosity: A Review

Project Code: MoH/CSR/19/10907

Dates: June 2019 – January 2021

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Rahma Al Hadhrami. Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Kawther Abdullah Al Jassasi, MOH; Dr. Khawlah Al Balushi, MOH; Dr. Ahmed Juma Al-Shaaibi, MOH.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Primary Care Physicians Regarding Tobacco Dependence Treatment in Muscat Governorate, Oman: A cross-sectional study

Project code: Nil

Dates: 2019 - 2021

Value: Unfunded
Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Yaqoub Al-Saidi, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Buthaina Al-Maskari, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Moon Fai Chan, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQU; Dr. Sanaa Al-Sumri, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH; Hajer Al-Hamrashdi, Department of Medical Services, Royal Guard of Oman.

Knowledge, attitudes, practice and barriers of physicians to provide tobacco dependence treatment: A cluster analysis

Project code: Nil

Dates: 2019 - 2021

Value: Unfuded
Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Yaqoub Al-Saidi, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Buthaina Al-Maskari, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Moon Fai Chan, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQU; Dr. Sanaa Al-Sumri, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH; Hajer Al-Hamrashdi, Department of Medical Services, Royal Guard of Oman.

Effectiveness of Continence Education Program and its impact on improving health-seeking behavior of Omani women with Urinary Incontinence.

Project code: IG/CON/MCHH/19/01

Dates: 2019

Value: OMR 2450 

Project funder: Research Management System, SQU

Investigators: Dr. Vidya Sheshan, College of Nursing; SQU; Divya Raghavan, College of Nursing; SQU; Dr. Iman Al-Hashmi, College of Nursing; SQU; Dr. Sanjay Jaju, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQU; Frincy Francis, College of Nursing, SQU; Dr. Lamya Al-Kharusi, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SQUH; Atiya Al-Furqani, College of Nursing, SQU; Zeyana Al-Azri, Nursing Directorate, SQUH; Dr. Judie Arulappan, College of Nursing, SQU

Journal Publications

Knowledge of Cancer Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Barriers to Seeking Medical Help among Omani Adolescents. Al-Azri M, Al-Saadi WI, Al-Harrasi A, Murthi Panchatcharam S. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2019 Dec 1;20(12):3655-3666. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.12.3655.

Knowledge and Awareness of Prostate Cancer Among Omani Men Attending a Teaching Hospital. Al-Azri M, Al-Hinai AS, Al-Ghafri MH, Panchatcharam SM. J Cancer Educ. 2019 Jun 1. doi: 10.1007/s13187-019-01556-9.

Role of the family in Treatment Decision-Making process for Omani women diagnosed with breast cancer. Al-Bahri A, Al-Moundhri M, Al-Mandhari Z, Al-Azri M. Patient Educ Couns. 2019 Feb;102(2):352-359. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2018.08.026. Epub 2018 Aug 24.

Patients' Perceptions of Communication and Clinical Skills of Primary Healthcare Physicians in Oman. Al-Kindi N, Al-Waili S, Jaju S, Al Mahrezi AM. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2019 May;19(2):e148-e152. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2019.19.02.011. Epub 2019 Sep 8.

Primary Health Care in Oman: Shaping the Future. Al-Mahrezi A, Al-Kiyumi M. Oman Med J. 2019 Nov;34(6):479-481. doi: 10.5001/omj.2019.89.

Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing among Elderly Patients at a Primary Care Clinic in Oman. Al-Busaidi S, Al-Kharusi A, Al-Hinai M, Al-Zakwani I, Al-Ghafri F, Rizvi S, Al-Balushi K. J Cross Cult Gerontol. 2019 Nov 28. doi: 10.1007/s10823-019-09393-5.

Prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of contraceptive use among women in Oman. Al-Kindi RM, Al-Sumri HH. East Mediterr Health J. 2019 Oct 4;25(7):495-502. doi: 10.26719/emhj.18.064.

Awareness and Attitude Towards the Premarital Screening Programme Among High School Students in Muscat, Oman. Al-Kindi RM, Kannekanti S, Natarajan J, Shakman L, Al-Azri Z, Al-Kalbani NI. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2019 Aug;19(3):e217-e224. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2019.19.03.007.

The Psychological Impact of Referral for Mammography Screening for Breast Cancer Among Women in Muscat Governorate: A cross-sectional study. Al-Alawi NM, Al-Balushi N, Al-Salmani AA. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2019 Aug;19(3):e225-e229. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2019.19.03.008.

The Effect of Change in Posture on Spirometry in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome. Al-Lawati R, Al-Abri MA, Kuppuswamy B, Al-Kharousi A, Al-Atbi AY, Rizvi S, Dikshit M. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2019 Nov;19(4):e310-e315. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2019.19.04.006.

Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of Cervical Spine Among Omani Patients Referred for CT Scan at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Oman. Sirasanagandla SR, Al-Kaabi SA, Al Dhuhli H, Al-Hinai G, Al Mushaiqri M, Jaju S. Oman Med J. 2019 Sep;34(5):438-443. doi: 10.5001/omj.2019.80.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV in Multiply Transfused Sickle Cell Disease Patients from Oman. Al-Kindi S, Al-Umairi N, Jaju S, Pathare A. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis. 2019 Nov 1;11(1):e2019058. doi: 10.4084/MJHID.2019.058.

The Role of Vitamins in Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Do We Know? Bjørklund G, Waly MI, Al-Farsi Y, Saad K, Dadar M, Rahman MM, Elhoufey A5, Chirumbolo S, Jóźwik-Pruska J, Kałużna-Czaplińska J. J Mol Neurosci. 2019 Mar;67(3):373-387. doi: 10.1007/s12031-018-1237-5.

The characteristics and patterns of utilization of healthcare services among Omanis with substance use disorders attending therapy for cessation. Al-Wahaibi N, Al-Lawati A, Al-Ruqeishy F, Al-Khatri A, Al-Farsi Y, Juma TMA, Al-Hinai F, Al-Sibani N, Mahadevan S, Al-Adawi S. PLoS One. 2019 Jan 31;14(1):e0210532. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210532.

Risk factors underlying depressive symptoms among parents/primary care providers of kids with autism spectrum disorder: A study from Muscat, Oman. Al-Shekaili M, Al-Balushi N, Mohammed Al-Alawi, Mirza H, Al-Huseini S, Al-Balushi M, Panchatcharam SM, Mahadevan S, Al-Sibani N, Al-Farsi YM, Al-Adawi S. Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2019 Oct;55(4):600-606. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12374.

Individual-level determinants of waterpipe smoking demand in four Eastern-Mediterranean countries. Salloum RG, Nakkash R, Abu-Rmeileh NME, Hamadeh RR, Darawad MW, Kheirallah KA, Al-Farsi Y, Yusufali A, Thomas J, Mostafa A, Salama M, El Kadi L, Alzyoud S, Al-Sheyab N, Thrasher JF. Health Promot Int. 2019 Dec 1;34(6):1157-1166. doi: 10.1093/heapro/day084.

Research Projects

Delay in Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer Among Omani Women

Project Code: MREC # 1809  

Dates: 30^th October 2018 - current

Value: 5000 OMR

Project Funder: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Khalid Al-Bimani, Dept. of Medicine, SQU; Dr. Zahid Al-Mandhari, Royal Hospital, Oman; Dr. Huda Al-Awaisi, Nursing Directorate, SQUH. 

Help-seeking experiences of Omani patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer: a qualitative study           

Project Code: MREC #1590   

Dates: 8^th October 2017 - current

Value: Unfunded  

Project Funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Mahera Juma Saif Al-Suqri, Behavioural Medicine Resident, Oman Medical Specialty Board; Huda Shinoon Abdullah Al-Awaisi, Nursing Directorate, SQUH; Prof. Mansour Al-Moundhri, Department of Medicine, SQU.

Complete Reference Values and Prediction Equations for Pulmonary Function Tests in Omani Adults: A) Reference Values for Lung Volumes B) Single-Breath Carbon Monoxide Diffusing Capacity Prediction Equations

Project Code: IG/MED/MEDE/18/02

Dates: 2018 - 2020

Value: 10,000 OMR

Project Funder: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Sanjay Jaju, Dept. of Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Jayakrishnan B, Dept. of Medicine, SQU; Dr. Hajar Al Rajaibi, Dept. of Physiology, SQU; Dr. Mohammed Al-Abri, Dept. of Physiology, SQU; Dr. Saif Al-Mubaihsi, Dept. of Medicine, SQU; Dr. Deepali Jaju, Dept. of Physiology, SQU; Prof. Omar Al-Rawas, Dept. of Medicine, SQU.

Effects of home-based Kegel exercise on decreasing symptoms and improving quality of life in urban adult Omani women with Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): A randomized controlled single-blind study

Project Code: MOH/CSR/17/6555

Dates: April 2018 - August 2018

Value: 3,000 OMR

Project funder: Deanship of Research Fund, SQU

Investigators: Dr. Sanjay Jaju, Dept. of Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Maisa Al-Kiyumi, Dept. of Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Zalikha Al-Belushi, Dept. of Family Medicine, MOH.

The association of social media addiction and body image dissatisfaction in female students studying at Sultan Qaboos University

Project Code: MREC 1695/SQU-EC /065/18

Dates: 2018 - 2019

Value: Nil

Project Funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Sanjay Jaju, Dept. of Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Prof. Samir Al-Adawi, Dept. of Behavioural Medicine, SQU; Safiya Al-Busaidi, Dept. of Behavioural Medicine, SQU; Sahar Al-Omrani, Student, SQU; Faiza Al-Hajri, Student, SQU.

Nocturnal enuresis among primary school children in the sultanate of Oman: prevalence and associated factors.

Project code: Nil

Date: 2018 - 2021

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Ashwaq Al-Sabri, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Maha Al-Muqbali, Family Medicine, MOH: Dr. Abeer Al-Hadhrami, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Chander Kumar Lohana, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Imran Saad Azmi, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Asma Al-Salmani, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH.

Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Omani Adults with Iron Deficiency Anemia of Unknown Cause A case-finding study

Project code: RF/MED/FAMCO/20/01

Date: 2018 - 2021

Value: OR 3,000

Project funder: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Safa Ambusaidi, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Al Manar Al-Busaidi, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Asma Al-Salmani, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Robin Davidson, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Jalila Al-Shekaili, SQUH; Mahmood Al Kindi, SQUH; Dr. Rahma Al Kindi, Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH.

Evaluating Trauma Care Capabilities using the Essential Trauma Care Guidelines of the World Health Organization A cross-sectional study of primary health centres in Muscat, Oman

Project code: Nil

Date: 2018 - 2021

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Aisha Al-Balushi, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Zaleikha Al-Belushi, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Asma Al-Salmani, Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH.

Factors Associated with Choice of Career in Family Medicine Among Junior Doctors in Oman

Project code: Nil

Date: 2018-2022

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Asma Al-Salmani, Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Asma Al-Shidhani, Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Najlaa Jaafar, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mahrezi, Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH.

Prevalence of Cytological Abnormalities in Papanicolaou Smears and Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer Among Women in Muscat, Oman

Project code: Nil

Date: 2018 - 2022

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil

Investigators: Dr. Eman Al-Sekri, Family Medicine, MOH: Dr. Asma Al-Musalhi, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Khadija Al-Abri, Family Medicine, MOH; Dr. Hunaina Al-Kindi, Pathology, MOH; Dr. Asma Al-Salmani, Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH.

Is Chronic Post-Surgical Pain Preventable? (chapter)

Project Code: Nil

Dates: 2018

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil
Investigators: Dr. Asma Al Shidhani, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mahrezi, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH

Factors Associated with Choice of Career in Family Medicine Among Junior Doctors in Oman

Project code: Nil

Dates: 2018 - 2019

Value: Unfunded

Project funder: Nil
Investigators: Dr. Asma Al-Salmani, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Asma Al Shidhani, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mahrezi, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Najlaa Jaafar, Family Medicine, MOH.

Urinary Incontinence Among Omani Women: Prevalence, risk factors and impact on quality of life.

Project Code: RF/MED/FMCO/18/01

Dates: Sep 2018 – Sep 2019

Value: 3000 OMR

Project Funder: Deanship of Research Fund, SQU

Investigators: Dr. Maisa Al Kiyumi, Dept of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Zalikha Al-Belushi, Dept of Primary Care, North Al-Batinah, MOH; Dr. Sanjay Jaju, Dept of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mahrezi, Dept of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH.

Prevalence, Risk Factors and Effects of Domestic Violence Before and During Pregnancy on Birth Outcomes: An Observational Study of Literate Omani Women

Project Code: RF/MED/FAMCO/19/02

Dates: Sep 2019 – Sep 2020

Value: 3000 OMR

Project Funder: Deanship of Research Fund, Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Nuhour Al-Shidhani, Dept of Primary Care, MOH; Dr. Asma Al-Kindi, Dept. of Primary Care, MOH; Dr. Maisa Al-Kiyumi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQUH.

Depression in Urban Omani Adults with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study
Project code: IH25051905)
Dates: 2018-2020
Value: OR 3,000
Project funder: Deanship of Research Fund, Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Sanaa Al-Sumri, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQUH; Dr. Sanjay Jaju, Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, SQU; Dr. Tharaya Al Ghelani, Family Medicine, MOH.

Journal Publications

Asthma Clinics in Primary Healthcare Centres in Oman: Do they make a difference?

Al-Mahrezi A, Baddar S, Al-Siyabi S, Al-Kindi S, Al-Zakwani I, Al-Rawas O. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2018 May;18(2):e137-e142. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2018.18.02.003. Epub 2018 Sep 9.

The Prevalence and Characteristics of Frequent Attenders in Primary Health Care in A'Dakhiliyah Governorate of Oman. Al-Abadi B, Al-Abadi J, Al-Fannah W, Jeyaseelan L, Al-Maniri A, Al-Mahrezi A.

Oman Med J. 2018 Jul;33(4):331-336. doi: 10.5001/omj.2018.60.

Screening for dysglycaemia using anthropometric indices in an adult population in Oman. Ganguly SS, Sarkar K, Al-Adawi S, Al-Mahrezi AA.

East Mediterr Health J. 2018 Jun 10;24(3):254-261. doi: 10.26719/2018.24.3.254.

Awareness of Risk Factors, Symptoms and Time to Seek Medical Help of Ovarian Cancer amongst Omani Women Attending Teaching Hospital in Muscat Governorate, Oman. Al-Azri M, Al-Saidi M, AL-Mutair E, Panchatcharam SM. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2018 Jul 27;19(7):1833-1843.

Role of the family in Treatment Decision-Making process for Omani women diagnosed with breast cancer. Al-Bahri A, Al-Moundhri M, Al-Mandhari Z, Al-Azri M.

Patient Educ Couns. 2018 Aug 24. pii: S0738-3991(18)30599-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2018.08.026.

The role of patients' families in treatment ‎decision-making among ‎adult cancer ‎patients in the Sultanate of Oman.

Al-Bahri A, Al-Moundhri M, Al-Azri M. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2018, e12845. doi: 10.1111/ecc.12845.

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

Alghafri TS, Alharthi SM, Al-Balushi S, Al-Farsi Y, Al-Busaidi Z, Bannerman E, Craigie AM, Anderson AS. Heliyon. 2018 Jan 11;3(12):e00495. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00495. eCollection 2017 Dec.

Individual-level determinants of waterpipe smoking demand in four Eastern-Mediterranean countries. Salloum RG, Nakkash R, Abu-Rmeileh NME, Hamadeh RR, Darawad MW, Kheirallah KA, Al-Farsi Y, Yusufali A, Thomas J, Mostafa A, Salama M, El Kadi L, Alzyoud S, Al-Sheyab N, Thrasher JF. Health Promot Int. 2018 Nov 8. doi: 10.1093/heapro/day084.

Association between Dietary and Lifestyle Indices and Colorectal Cancer in Oman: A Case-Control Study. Mafiana RN, Al Lawati AS, Waly MI, Al Farsi Y, Al Kindi M, Al Moundhri M. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2018 Nov 29;19(11):3117-3122.

'MOVEdiabetes': a cluster randomized controlled trial to increase physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes in primary health in Oman.

Alghafri TS, Alharthi SM, Al-Farsi Y, Alrawahi AH, Bannerman E, Craigie AM, Anderson AS. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2018 Oct 31;6(1):e000605. doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2018-000605. eCollection 2018.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is linked to increased oxidative stress in Omani women.

Sulaiman MA, Al-Farsi YM, Al-Khaduri MM, Saleh J, Waly MI.

Int J Womens Health. 2018 Nov 28;10:763-771. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S166461. eCollection 2018.

Daytime Sleepiness Among Young Adult Omani Car Drivers. Al-Abri MA, Al-Adawi S, Al-Abri I, Al-Abri F, Dorvlo A, Wesonga R, Jaju S. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2018 May;18(2):e143-e148. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2018.18.02.004. Epub 2018 Sep 9.

Prevalence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis among elderly subjects referred for radiological investigation in tertiary hospital at Oman. Sirasanagandla SR, Al Dhuhli H, Al Abri A, Salmi A, Jayapal SK, Sara C, Jaju S. Anat Cell Biol. 2018 Sep;51(3):174-179. doi: 10.5115/acb.2018.51.3.174. Epub 2018 Sep 28.

Go Lean, Get Leaner: The application of lean management in Omani healthcare.

Al-Farsi YM, Al-Balushi SM. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2018 Nov;18(4):e431-e432. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2018.18.04.001. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Effects of an Adenotonsillectomy on the Cognitive and Behavioural Function of Children Who Snore: A naturalistic observational study. Al-Zaabi K, Al-Adawi S, Jaju S *, Lakshmanan Jeyaseelan, Al-Sibani N, Al-Alawi M, Al-Abri M, Al-Abri R. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2018;18(4):e455–e460. doi:10.18295/squmj.2018.18.04.005 [* corresponding author]

Prevalence and Socio-demographic Determinants of Contraceptive Use among Omani Women attending the primary health care centers in Muscat Region. Al-Kindi R, H Al-Sumri. East. Mediterr. Health J. 2018 Jul 16; doi.org/10.26719/emhj.18.064

BRIP1 overexpression is correlated with clinical features and survival outcome of luminal breast cancer subtypes. Gupta, I., Ouhtit, A., Al-Ajmi, A., Rizvi, S. G. A., Al-Riyami, H., Al-Riyami, M. & Tamimi, Y.; Jan 1 2018, In : Endocrine Connections. 7, 1, p. 65-77 13 p.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Infantile Colic among Omani Babies. Al-Saadoon M, Rizvi S, Khan A, Al-Shuaili A, Al-Mamari M; Clinical Research: Open Access: ISSN 2469-6714 | Volume 4 - Issue 3, 2018 | DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.16966/2469-6714.139

Research Projects

Association of Apolipoprotein E gene Polymorphism with Ischaemic Stroke: A Case-Control Study in Omani Population.

Project Code: IG/MED/FAMCO/16/01

Dates: 2016 - 2017

Value: OR 11,360

Project Funder: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Prof. Shyam Ganguly, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Prof. Arunodaya R Gujjar, Dept. of Medicine, SQU; Dr. Abdullah Al-Asmi, Dept. of Medicine, SQU; Dr. Fahad Al-Zadjali, Dept. of Biochemistry, SQU.

Association between Sleep Pattern in Oman and Cardio metabolic disorders

Project Code: RC/MED/PHYS/15/01  

Dates: 2015 - 2018

Value: OR 81,200 

Project Funder: The Research Council

Investigators: Prof. Shyam Ganguly, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Mohammed A. Al-Abri, Dept. of Physiology, SQU; Dr. Fahad Al-Zadjali, Dept. of Biochemistry, SQU; Dr. Khamis Al-Hashmi, Dept. of Physiology, SQU; Dr. Khalid Al-Rasadi, Dept. of Biochemistry, SQU; Dr. Khalid Al-Waeli, Dept. of Biochemistry, SQU.

Barka Healthy lifestyle project

Project Code:  Nil

Dates: May 2015 - April 2017

Value   : OR 20,000

Project Funder:           World Health Organization

Investigators: Dr. Yahya Al-Farsi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Huda Al-Siyabi, Non-Communicable Diseases, MOH; Dr. Sulaima Al-Mamari, Non-Communicable Diseases, MOH.

Exploring Access to Primary Healthcare among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Oman

Project Code: Nil

Dates:  2017 - 2019

Value   : OR 12,000

Project Funder: The Anglo-Omani Society, London, UK

Investigators: Dr. Yahya Al-Farsi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Deena Al-Asfoor, MOH, Oman; Dr. Ray Fitzpatrick, University of Oxford, UK; Dr. Tim Holt, University of Oxford, UK.

Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Reduce Stress Levels in Omani Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer?

Project Code: MREC # 1447

Dates: 5^th April 2017.

Value: Unfunded  

Project Funder: nil

Investigators:  Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Nishat Shams, Health Psychology, MOH. 

Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Perceived Risks Regarding Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Omani Population

Project Code: MREC #   1591 

Dates:  8^th October 2017.

Value: Unfunded  

Project Funder: nil

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Sharouq Salim Sulaiman Al-Khatri, COM & HS, SQU.

Knowledge of cancer palliative care among undergraduate medical and nursing students at Sultan Qaboos University    

Project Code: MREC #   1589

Dates:  8^th October 2017

Value: Unfunded  

Project Funder: nil

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU;  Saif Khalfan Saif  Al-Saidi, COM & HS,  SQU;   Jawaher Ahmed Saif Al-Musilhi, COM & HS, SQU; Dr. Zahid Al-Mandhari, The National Oncology Centre, Royal Hospital.

Help-seeking experiences of Omani patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer: a qualitative study           

Project Code: MREC #1590   

Dates:  8^th October 2017.

Value: Unfunded  

Project Funder: nil

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Mahera Juma Saif Al-Suqri, Dept. of Behavioural Medicine, Oman Medical Specialty Board; Huda Shinoon Abdullah Al-Awaisi, Nursing Directorate, SQUH; Prof. Mansour Al-Moundhri, Dept. of Medicine, SQUH.

Journal Publications

Lakhtakia R, Al-Jarrah A, Furrukh M, Ganguly SS. Epithelial Mesenchymal transition (EMT) in Metastatic Breast cancer in Omani Women. Cancer Microenvironment, 2017; 10(1–3), 25–37.

Gujjar AR, Nandhagopala R, Jacoba PC, Al-Hashim A, Al-Amrani K, Ganguly SS, Al-Asmi A.  Intravenous levetiracetam vs phenytoin for status epilepticus and cluster seizures: A prospective, randomized study. Seizure, 2017; 49, 8-12.

Al-Zadjali N, Al-Khalid S, Samir N, Rizvi S, Al-Zakwani I, Al-Mahrezi A: Characterization of Chronic Pain Patients attending Primary Health Care Center in Oman. Oman Med J. 2017 Nov; 32(6):461-466. doi: 10.5001/omj.2017.89

Sulaiman M, Al-Farsi Y, Al-Khaduri M, Waly M, Saleh J, Al-Adawi S. Psychological burden among women with polycystic ovarian syndrome in Oman: a case–control study. International Journal of Women’s Health. 2017 Dec 12;9:897-904. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S145383.

Al-Ghafri T, Al-Harthi SM, Al-Farsi YM, Bannerman E, Craigie AM, Anderson AS. Perceived barriers to leisure time physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes attending primary healthcare in Oman: a cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open. 2017 Nov 3;7(11):e016946. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016946.

Al-Ghafri TS, Al-Harthi SM, Al-Farsi Y, Bannerman E, Craigie AM, Anderson AS. Correlates of physical activity and sitting time in adults with type 2 diabetes attending primary health care in Oman. BMC Public Health. 2017 Aug 1;18(1):85. doi: 10.1186/s12889-017-4643-7.

Al-Khasawneh E, Al-Farsi Y, Al-Simadi F, Leocadio M. Development and Validation of a Culturally-Tailored Breast Cancer Health Education Programmeme for Arab Women. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2017 May;17(2):e181-e190. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.008.

Al-Ghafri TS, Al-Harthi SM, Al-Farsi YM, Craigie AM, Mcleod M, Anderson AS. Study protocol for "MOVEdiabetes": a trial to promote physical activity for adults with type 2 diabetes in primary health care in Oman. BMC Public Health. 2017 Jan 6;17(1):28. doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-3990-0.

Al-Fazari M, Sulaiman M, Al-Farsi Y, Al-Khaduri M, Waly M. Assessment of Risk Factors Related to Nutrition and Dietary Intake among Omani Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. EC Nutrition 12.1(2017): 18-28.

Al-Farsi YM, Al-Shafaee MM, Al-Lawati K, Al-Sharbati, Al-Tamimi MF, Al-Hinai JA, Al-Adawi SS. Awareness about autism among primary healthcare providers in Oman: a cross-sectional study. Global Journal of Health Science. 2017;9(6):65-75.

Al-Ghafri TS, Al-Harthi SM, Al-Balushi S, Al-Farsi YM, Al-Busaidi Z, Bannerman E, Craigie AM, Anderson AS. Health professionals’ perceptions about physical activity promotion in diabetes care within primary health care settings in Oman. Heliyon. 2017; 3(12), e00495.

Al-Khaduri M, Al-Riyami A, Al-Farsi Y, Al-Ajmi A. Pregnancy and breastfeeding after breast cancer diagnosis and their impact on cancer relapse. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. 2017:27.602-602. (Abstract)

Al-Kalbani O, Al-Farsi Y, Al-Khaduri M. Attitude of women with cancer towards oocyte cryopreservation. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. 2017:27.1258-1258. (Abstract)

Al-Khaduri M, Al-Ma’adi A, Al-Farsi Y. Premature menopause symptoms and prevalence in reproductive aged women diagnosed with breast cancer. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. 2017:27.603-603. (Abstract)

Al-Azri M, Al-Reesi H, Al-Adawi S, Al-Maniri A, Freeman J. Personality of young drivers in Oman: Relationship to risky driving behaviors and crash involvement among Sultan Qaboos University students. Traffic Inj Prev. 2017 Feb 17;18(2):150-156. doi: 10.1080/15389588.2016.1235269. Epub 2016 Sep 30.

Al-Azri M, Al-Kindi J, Al-Harthi T, Al-Dahri M, Panchatcharam SM, Al-Maniri A. Awareness of Stomach and Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors, Symptoms and Time Taken to Seek Medical Help Among Public Attending Primary Care Setting in Muscat Governorate, Oman. J Cancer Educ. 2017 Aug 7. doi: 10.1007/s13187-017-1266-8.

Al-Bahri A, Al-Moundhri M, Al-Azri M. The Role of Patients' Families in Cancer Treatment Decision-Making: Perspectives among Eastern and Western families. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2017 Nov;17 (4):e383-e385. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2017.17.04.001. Epub 2018 Jan 10.

Al-Lawati J, Mabry RM, Al-Busaidi ZQ. Tobacco Control in Oman: It's Time to Get Serious! Oman Med J. 2017 Jan; 32(1):3-14. doi: 10.5001/omj.2017.02.

Research Projects

Autism in Oman

Project Code: SR/MED/FMCO/11/01

Dates: 2011 - 2016

Value: USD 230,000

Project Funder: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Strategic Research Fund

Investigators: Dr. Yahya Al-Farsi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Heath, SQU; Dr. Allal Ouhtit, Dept. of Genetics, SQU; Dr. Marwan Al-Sharbati, Dept. of Behavioral Medicine, SQU; Dr. Mustafa Waly, Dept. of Food Science and Nutrition, SQU; Dr. Mohammed  Al-Shafaee, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Heath, SQU; Dr. Maha Al-Khaduri, Dept. of Obstetrics &  Gynecology,  SQU;  Prof.  Samir Al-Adawi, Dept. of Behavioral Medicine, SQU.

Abdominal body fat distribution as a determinant of serum cardiovascular    risk markers in Omani women: Exploring the link to fat storage hormone levels

Project code: RC/MED/BIOC/15/01

Dates: 2014 - 2017

Value: OR 60,000

Project funder: The Research Council (TRC)

Investigators: Dr. Mohammad Al-Azri, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Syed Rizvi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Jumana Saleh, Dept. of Biochemistry, SQU; Dr. Khamis Al-Hashmi, Dept. of Physiology, SQU; Dr. Khalid Al-Rassadi, Dept. of Biochemistry, SQU; Dr. Lovina Machado, Dept. of Obstetrics &  Gynecology, SQU; Dr. Majeda Al-Bash, Dept. of Obstetrics &  Gynecology, SQU.

Association between Sleep Pattern in Oman and Cardio metabolic disorders

Project Code: RC/MED/PHYS/15/01 

Dates: 2015-2018

Value: OR 81,200 

Funder: The Research Council

Investigators: Prof. Shyam Ganguly, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Mohammed A. Al-Abri, Dept. of Physiology, SQU; Dr. Fahad Al-Zedjali, Dept. of Biochemistry, SQU; Dr. Khamis Al-Hashmi, Dept. of Physiology, SQU; Dr. Khalid Al-Rassadi, Dept. of Biochemistry, SQU; Dr. Khalid Al-Waili, Dept. of Biochemistry, SQU.

Assessment of Socio-Economic and Organizational Barriers to Access of Primary Health Care in Oman, Pilot Testing and a Cross Sectional Study

Project Code: N/A

Dates: 2015 - 2016

Value: USD 30,000

Project Funder: World Health Organization (WHO)

Investigators: Dr. Yahya Al-Farsi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Heath, SQU; Dr. Deena Alasfoor, Directorate of Nutrition, MOH.

Cord blood C-peptide level and neonatal outcome in relation to maternal Haemoglobin A1c in last trimester of pregnancy.

Project Code: IG/MED/OBGY/14/01  

Dates: 2014-2016

Value: OR 5,000 

Funder: Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)

Investigators: Prof. Shyam Ganguly, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Marriam Mathew, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, SQU; Dr. Majeda Al-Bash, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, SQU; Dr. Ashfaq A. Khan, Dept. of Child Health, SQU; Dr. Clifford Abiaka, Dept. of Biochemistry, SQU.

Association of Apolipoprotein E gene Polymorphism with Ischaemic Stroke: A Case-Control Study in Omani Population.

Project Code: IG/MED/FAMCO/16/01

Date: 2016-2017

Value: OR 11,360

Funder: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Prof. Shyam Ganguly, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Prof. Arunodaya R Gujjar, Department of Medicine, SQU; Dr. Abdullah Al-Asmi, Dept. of Medicine, SQU; Dr. Fahad Al-Zadjali, Dept. of Biochemistry, SQU.

Cord blood C-peptide level and neonatal outcome in relation to maternal Haemoglobin A1c in last trimester of pregnancy.

Project Code: IG/MED/OBGY/14/01   Dates: 2014-2016

Value: OR 5,000,  

Funder: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Prof. Shyam Ganguly, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Marriam Mathew, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, SQU; Dr. Majeda Al-Bash, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, SQU; Dr. Ashfaq A. Khan, Dept. of Child Health, SQU.

Prevalence of metformin-induced vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.

Project Code:  MREC: 1408

Dates: 2015-2016

Value: Unfunded

Investigators: Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mahrezi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Nafisa Samir, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; Dr. Ahmed Al-Hamdi, R3 Family Medicine Residents, OMSB; Dr. Mohammed Al-Gahaffi, R3 Family Medicine Residents, OMSB.

The role of patients' families in treatment ‎decision-making among ‎adult cancer ‎patients in the sultanate of Oman

Project Code: MREC # 1250

Dates:   6^th April 2016

Value: Unfunded  

Project Approval: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators:  Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU; AbdulRahim Mohammed Khusaif Al-Bahri, Ministry of Health; Prof. Mansour Al-Moundhri, Dept. of Medicine, SQU; Dr Zahid Al-Mandhari, National Cancer Institute.

Public Awareness of Lung Cancer Among Omani Population Attending Primary Health Care Setting

Project Code: MREC #   1360 

Dates: 4^th October 2016.

Value: Unfunded  

Project Approval: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Mohammed Hamed Ali Al-Ghafri, COM&HS, SQU.

A Public Awareness of Prostate Cancer in Omani Population Attending  Primary Health Care Setting           

Project Code: MREC #   1360

Dates:  4^th October 2016.

Value: Unfunded  

Project Approval: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU,  Ali Sulaiman Ali Al Hinai, COM&HS,  SQU. 

Public attitudes toward cancer and cancer patients in Oman- A cross section study. 

Project Code: MREC # 1362  

Dates:  4^th October 2016.

Value: Unfunded  

Project Approval: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, COM&HS, SQU, Fahad Mohammed Al-Hattali, COM&HS,  SQU, Humaid  Said Al-Ghafri, COM&HS.

System-Related Barriers to Breast Cancers Screening Among Omani Women attending Sultan Qaboos University- A cross sectional study          

Project Code: MREC #1357  

Dates:  4^th October 2016.

Value: Unfunded  

Project Approval: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health,  Shamsa Hamed Said Al-Ghafri, COM&HS.

Journal Publications

Al-Mahrezi A, Al-Futaisi A, Al-Mamari W. Learning Disabilities: Opportunities and challenges in Oman. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 2016 May; 16(2):e129-31.

Al-Mahrezi A, Al-Mandhari Z. Palliative Care: Time for Action. Oman Med J 2016 May; 31(3):161-3.

Al-Hinai M, Altheeb S, Al Shariqi F, Al-Muniri A. Diet and Lifestyle Factors and the Risk of H. Pylori Infection in Omani Patients Attending SQUH Daycare for OGD. J Family Med Community Health 2016 April 28; 3(2):1077.

Ganguly SS, Gujjar AR, Nandhagopal R, Jacob PC, Al-Azri F, Hamid RS. Stroke Outcomes in Oman: Experience from a University-Hospital based stroke registry. Int J Stroke 2016; 11 (Supp 3), 199-199.

Davidson R. Use of prescription drugs and investigations by doctors in primary care settings in Oman and the UK. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 2016 Nov; 16(4):e487-e490.

Al-Azri M, Al-Lawati I, Al-Kamyani R, Al-Kiyumi M, Al-Rawahi A, Davidson R, Al-Maniri A. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Antenatal Depression among Omani Women in a Primary Care Setting. Sultan Qaboos Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2016 Feb; 16(1):e35-41.

Al-Azri M, Al-Maskari A, Al-Matroushi S, Al-Awisi H, Davidson R, Panchatcharam S, Al-Maniri A. Awareness of cancer symptoms and barriers to seeking medical help among adult people attending primary care settings in Oman.  Health Serv Res Manag Epidemiol. 2016 Nov; 3;3:2333392816673290.

Al-Azri M, Al-Belushi R, Al-Mamari M, Davidson R,  Mathew AC. Knowledge and health beliefs regarding sickle cell disease among Omanis in a primary healthcare setting. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2016 Nov; 16(4):e437-e444.

Rizvi G; Qureshi A, Lakhtakia R, Al-Bahri M, Al-Haddabi I, Saparamadu A, Shalaby A, Al-Riyami M,  Gleason’s Grading of Prostatic Adenocarcinoma: Inter-Observer Variation Among Seven Pathologists at a Tertiary Care Center in Oman. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2016 Nov 1; 17(11):4867-4868.

Al-Jarrah A, Al-Moqbali H, Al-Shehi R, Al-Aghbari S, Rizvi S, Al-Qassabi B, Lakhtakia R. Breast One Stop Clinic – Follow up Experience at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in the Sultanate of Oman. Arch Breast Cancer 2016; Vol. 3, No. 2, 62-65.

Al-Mandhari A, Al-Zakwani I, Al-Adawi S, Al-Barwani S, Jeyaseelan L. Awareness and implementation of nine World Health Organization's patient safety solutions among three groups of healthcare workers in Oman. BMC Health Serv Res. 2016 Sep 30; 16(1):533.

Al-Azri M, Gonsalves H, Al-Riyami N, Al-Dughaishi T, Gowri V, Salahuddin A. Use of Intracervical Foley Catheter for Induction of Labour in Cases of Previous Caesarean Section: Experience of a single tertiary centre in Oman. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2016 Nov; 16(4):e445-e450.

Al-Azri M, Shams N. The Need for Psychological Interventional Supportive Services for Omani Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2016 Nov; 16(4):e403-e405.

Al-Azri M, Al-Reesi H, Al-Adawi S, Al-Maniri A, Freeman J. Personality of young drivers in Oman: Relationship to risky driving behaviors and crash involvement among Sultan Qaboos University students. Traffic Inj Prev. 2017 Feb 17; 18(2):150-156.

Al-Azri MH. Delay in Cancer Diagnosis: Causes and Possible Solutions. Oman Med J. 2016 Sep; 31(5):325-6.

Al-Farsi YM, Al-Sharbati MM, Al-Sharbati ZM, Al-Sulaimani F, Ouhtit A, Al-Adawi S. Profile of Mental and Behavioral Disorders Among Preschoolers in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Oman: A Retrospective Study. Oman Med J. 2016 Sep; 31(5):357-64.

Al-Farsi YM, Al-Farsi OA, Al-Sharbati MM, Al-Adawi S. Stress, anxiety, and depression among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in Oman: a case-control study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016 Aug 4; 12:1943-51.

Al-Farsi Y, Alkhasawneh E, Siddiqui ST, Leocadio M, Seshan V, Al-Moundhri MS. I Do Not Even Say "It" - a Mixed Methods Study on Breast Cancer Awareness of Omani Women. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2016; 17(4):2247-54.

Al-Farsi YM, Lim CK, Essa MM, de Paula Martins R, Lovejoy DB, Bilgin AA, Waly MI, Al-Sharbati M, Al-Shaffae MA, Guillemin GJ. Altered kynurenine pathway metabolism in autism: Implication for immune-induced glutamatergic activity. Autism Res. 2016 Jun; 9(6):621-31.

Al-Farsi Y, Waly MI, Ali A, Al-Nassri A, Al-Mukhaini M, Valliatte J. Low nourishment of B-vitamins is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress in newly diagnosed cardiac patients. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2016 Jan;241(1):46-51.

Research Projects

An Assessment of the Application of LEAN Thinking in the Omani Health Care Sector

Project Code: SR/CCE/OMBS/12/01

Dates: 2012 - 2015

Value: 150,000 USD

Project Funder: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Strategic Research Fund

Investigators: Dr. Shahid Al-Balushi, Dept. of Management, SQU; Amrik Singh, School of Business, University of Monash, Australia; Prakash Sohal, School of Business, University of Melbourne, Australia;  Dr. Yahya Al Farsi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Heath, SQU

Autism in Oman

Project Code: SR/MED/FMCO/11/01

Dates: 2011 - 2016

Value: 230,000 USD

Project Funder: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Strategic Research Fund

Investigators: Dr. Allal Ouhtit, Dept. of Genetics, SQU; Dr. Marwan  Al Sharbati, Dept. of Behavioral Medicine, SQU; Dr. Mustafa Waly, Dept. of Food Science and Nutrition, SQU; Dr. Mohammed  Al-Shafaee, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Heath, SQU; Dr. Maha Al-Khaduri,  Dept.  of  Obstetrics  &  Gynecology,  SQU;  Prof.  Samir  Al  Adawi,  Behavioral Medicine, SQU; Dr. Yahya Al Farsi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Heath, SQU

Abdominal body fat distribution as a determinant of serum cardiovascular    risk markers in Omani women: Exploring the link to fat storage hormone levels

Project code: RC/MED/BIOC/15/01

Dates: 2014 - 2017

Value: OR 60,000

Project funder: The Research Council (TRC)

Investigators: Dr. Jumana Saleh, Dept. of Biochemistry, SQU, Dr. Khamis Al-Hashmi, Dept. of Physiology, SQU, Dr. Khalid Al-Rassadi, Dept. of Biochemistry, SQU, Dr. Syed Rizvi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU, Dr. Lovina Machado, Dept. of Gynaecology, SQU, Dr. Majeda Al- Bash, Dept. of Gynaecology, SQU, Dr. Mohammad Al-Azri, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU

Association between Sleep Pattern in Oman and Cardio metabolic disorders

Project Code: RC/MED/PHYS/15/01 

Dates: 2015-2018

Value: OR 81,200 

Funder: The Research Council

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed A. Al-Abri, Dept. Physiology; Dr. Fahad Al-Zedjali, Dept Biochemistry; Prof. Shyam Ganguly, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health; Dr. Khamis Al-Hashmi, Dept. Physiology; Dr. Khalid Al-Resadi, Dr. Khalid Al-Waeli, Dept. Biochemistry,SQU.

Barka Healthy Lifestyle Project

Project Code: N/A

Dates: 2015 - 2017

Value: 50,000 USD

Project Funder: World Health Organization

Investigators: Huda Al Siyabi, Directorate General of Health Sciences, MOH; Salima Al Mammari, Directorate General of Health Sciences, MOH; Dr. Yahya Al Farsi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Heath, SQU

Assessment of Socio-Economic and Organizational Barriers to Access of Primary Health Care in Oman, Pilot Testing and a Cross Sectional Study

Project Code: N/A

Dates: 2015 - 2016

Value: 30,000 USD

Project Funder: World Health Organization

Investigators: Deena Alasfoor, Directorate of Nutrition, MOH; Dr. Yahya Al Farsi, Dept. of Family Medicine & Public Heath, SQU

Awareness of cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms among students of the Sultan Qaboos University

Project Code: MREC #1035  

Dates: 8^th February 2015. 

Value: Unfunded  

Project Approval: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, Dr. Huda Al-Awaisi, SQUH.

Attendance at multiple health facilities (Doctor shopping) by patients in Oman.

Project Code: MREC #1072  

Dates: 9^th April 2015

Value: Unfunded  

Project Approval: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dr. Robin Davidson, Syed Rizvi,  Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU.

Stomach and colorectal cancer in Oman- public awareness of signs and symptoms and knowledge of primary care physicians. 

Project Code: MREC #1088  

Dates: 4^th May 2015.

Value: Funded, OMSB (3000 OMR)

Project Approval: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators:  Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU, Dr. Jamila Al-Kindi, Dr. Manal Al-Dhahri, Dr.Thuraiya Al-Harthi, OMSB. 

Cancer symptom awareness and barriers to seek medical help in Omani adolescents at schools: a cross sectional study

Project Code: MREC #1138  

Dates:  23^rd August 2015

Value: Unfunded  

Project Approval: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, Waleed Ibrahim Al-Saadi, Abdulaziz  Al-Harrasi, COM&HS,  SQU    

Awareness of risk factors and signs and symptoms of breast, ovarian and cervical cancer amongst Omani women

Project Code: MREC # 1190 

Dates: 2^nd November 2015. 

Value: Unfunded  

Project Approval: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, Maytha Al-Saidi, Eman AL-Mutairi, COM&HS, SQU.

Awareness of SQU’s students of colorectal cancer symptoms, risk factors and screening.     

Project Code: MREC #1198  

Dates: 2^nd November 2015

Value: Unfunded  

Project Approval: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Mohammed Al-Azri, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, Hoor Mohammed Al-kaabi, Zawan Hamid Mohamed Al-Hasni, COM&HS,  SQU.

Levetiracetam versus Phenytoin for Status Epilepticus and Cluster Seizures- A prospective randomized study.

Project Code: IG/MED/MEDE/14/01  

Dates: 2014-2015

Value: OR 13,000

Funder: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Prof. Arunodaya R. Gujjar,  Dr. Abdullah R. Al-Asmi, Dr. Nandhagopal R., Dr. Poovathor Jacob, Dept. Medicine, SQU;  Prof. Shyam Ganguly, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU.

Cord blood C-peptide level and neonatal outcome in relation to maternal Haemoglobin A1c in last trimester of pregnancy.

Project Code: IG/MED/OBGY/14/01  

Dates: 2014-2016

Value: OR 5,000 

Funder: Sultan Qaboos University

Investigators: Dr. Mariamm Mathew, Dr. Majeda Al-Bash, Dept. Obstetrics & Gynaecology, SQU; Dr. Ashfaq A. Khan, Dept. Child Health, SQU; Dr. Clifford Abiaka, Dept. Biochemistry , SQU; Prof. Shyam Ganguly, Dept. Family Medicine & Public Health, SQU     

Journal Publications

Al-Shidhani A, Al-Rashdi S, Al-Habsi H, Rizvi S. Impact of acne on quality of life of students at Sultan Qaboos University. Oman Med J. 2015 Jan;30(1):42-7. doi: 10.5001/omj.2015.08.

Al-Mandhari A^. Medical Errors: Why Now and What's Next? Oman Med J. 2015 Sep;30(5):313-4. doi: 10.5001/omj.2015.64.

El-Shafie K, Samir N, Lakhtakia R, Davidson R, Al-Waili A, Al-Mamary M, Al-Shafee M. Localised Skin Hyperpigmentation as a Presenting Symptom of Vitamin B12 Deficiency Complicating Chronic Atrophic Gastritis. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2015 Aug;15(3):e420-3. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2015.15.03.019. Epub 2015 Aug 24.

Al-Azri M, Al-Hamedi I, Al-Awisi H, Al-Hinai M, Davidson R. Public awareness of warning signs and symptoms of cancer in oman: a community-based survey of adults. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2015;16(7):2731-7.

Al-Zadjali F, Al-Bulushi A, Al-Hassani F, Al-Hinai M. Proportion of night eating syndrome in Arab population of Oman. J Eat Disord. 2015 Nov 25;3:43. doi: 10.1186/s40337-015-0079-6. eCollection 2015.

Davidson R. Too much medicine in the Middle East? Br J Gen Pract. 2015 Aug;65(637):418. doi: 10.3399/bjgp15X686197.

Al-Sumry S, Al-Ghelani T, Al-Badi H, Al-Azri M, Elshafie K. Thyroid Diseases in Omani Type 2 Diabetics: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study. Advances in Endocrinology. Volume 2015, Article ID 353121, 6 pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/353121.

Al-Azri M, Al-Maskari A, Al-Matroushi S, Al-Awaisi H, Al-Hinai M, Davidson R,  Al-Maniri A. Cancer Awareness – a survey of patients attending primary care settings in Oman. Eur J Cancer Care. 2015; 24, S2: 29–54.

Al-Marhoon MS, Ouhtit A, Al-Abri AO, Venkiteswaran KP, Al-Busaidi Q, Mathew J, Al-Haddabi I, Shareef O, Aquil S, Rahman K, Al-Hashmi I, Gupta I, Ganguly SS. Molecular Evidence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Prostate Tumors. Curr Urol. 2015 Sep, 8(3):138-43. doi: 10.1159/000365705. Epub 2015 Sep 4.

Al-Khabori M, Al-Zakawani I, Al-Maniri A, Ganguly SS. Survival Analysis is Robust to Informed Censoring in Studies with Historical Controls. Bone Marrow Transplantation, 2015, 50, 5538-5538.

Gujjar AR, Al-Asmi AR, Nandhagopal R, Jacob PC, Obaidi A, Ganguly SS. Levetiracetam vs phenytoin for status epilepticus/cluster seizures: a prospective randomized study. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 2015, 357, e325-e326.

Gujjar AR, Nandhagopal R, Jacob PC, Al-Azri F, Ganguly SS. Ischemic stroke outcomes in Oman: experience of a university-hospital based stroke registry. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 2015, 357, e380.

Al-Asmi A, Al-Rawahi S, Al-Moqbali ZS, Al-Farsi Y, Essa MM, El- Bouri M, Koshy RP, Gujjar AR, Jacob PC, Al-Hodar A, Al-Adawi S. Magnitude and concurrence of anxiety, depression among attendees with multiple sclerosis at a tertiary care Hospital in Oman. Accepted at BMC Neurology. 2015 Aug 5;15:131. doi: 10.1186/s12883-015-0370-9.

Waly M, Ali A, Al-Nassri A, Al-Mukhaini M, Valliatte J, Al-Farsi Y. Low nourishment of B- vitamins is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress in newly diagnosed cardiac patients. Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2015 Aug 4. pii: 1535370215596860.

Lim E, Guillemin G, Essa MM, Martins R, Lovejoy DB, Waly MI, Al-Farsi M, Al-Shaffae MA. Altered Kynurenine Pathway Metabolism in Autism: Implication for Immune-Induced Glutamatergic Activity. Autism Research. 2015 Oct 24. doi: 10.1002/aur.1565.

Al-Marhoon MS, Bayoumi R, Al-Farsi Y, Al-Hinai, A, Al-Maskary S, Venkiteswaran K,Al-Busaidi Q, Mathew J, Rhman K, Sharif O, Aquil S, Al-Hashmi I. Urinary stone composition in Oman: with high incidence of cystinuria. Urolithiasis. 2015 Jun;43(3):207-11. doi:10.1007/s00240-015-0763-7.

Al-Salmani A, Juma T, Al-Noobi A, Al-Farsi YM, Jaafar N, Al-Mamari K, Anwar H, Al- Lawati G, Klein TJ, Al-Adawi S. Characterization of depression among patients at urban primary healthcare centers in Oman. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine. 2015; 49(1):1-18.

Ouhtit A, Al-Farsi YM, Al-Sharbati MM, Gupta I, Al-Khalili MM, Waly MI, Al-Shafaee MA,Al-Farsi OA, Al-Adawi S. Brief Report: Underlying factors for low prevalence of autism in Oman. Accepted at Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2015;15(2):PP.3.EPUB.

Machado NO, Al-Qadhi H, Al-Wahaibi K, Rizvi SG. Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for Large Adrenocortical Carcinoma. JSLS. 2015 Jul-Sep;19(3). pii: e2015.00036. doi: 10.4293/JSLS.2015.00036.

Al-Sinani S, Woodhouse N, Al-Mamari A, Al-Shafie O, Al-Shafaee M, Al-Yahyaee S, Hassan M, Jaju D, Al-Hashmi K, Al-Abri M, Al-Rassadi K, Rizvi S, Loic Y, Froguel P, Bayoumi R. Association of gene variants with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes among Omanis. World J Diabetes. 2015 Mar 15;6(2):358-66. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v6.i2.358.

Al-Saadoon MA, Al-Jafari MS, Al-Dhouyani BD, Rizvi S. Factors associated with pediatrician attitudes over the use of complementary and traditional medicine on children in Muscat, Oman. Int J Health Policy Manag. 2015 Jan 2;4(2):65-8. doi: 10.15171/ijhpm.2015.11. eCollection 2015.

Publications: (January – June 2022)

Al-Kiyumi MH. Vitamin D levels and COVID 19 risk and death; is there an association? Nutr J. 2022 Jun 24;21(1):43. doi: 10.1186/s12937-022-00798-6. PMID: 35739526; PMCID: PMC9225875.

Newman C, Egan AM, Ahern T, Al-Kiyumi M, Bacon S, Bahaeldein E, et al. Retrospective national cohort study of pregnancy outcomes for women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Republic of Ireland. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2022 Jul;189:109947. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2022.109947. Epub 2022 Jun 13. PMID: 35709911.

Wirayuda A, Jaju S, Al Saidi Y, Chan MF. (2022). A structural equation model to explore sociodemographic, macroeconomic, and health factors affecting life expectancy in Oman. The Pan African medical journal, 41, 75. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2022.41.75.28488

Al-Saadi LS, Chan MF, Al-Azri M. (2022). Prevalence of Anxiety, Depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Children and Adolescents with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology nursing, 39(2), 114–131. https://doi.org/10.1177/27527530211056001

Mirza H, Al-Huseini S., Al-Jamoodi S, Al-Balushi N, Al-Hosni A, Chan MF, & Zadjali F. (2022). Socio-Demographic and Clinical Profiles of Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Patients in a University Hospital in Oman. Sultan Qaboos University medical journal, 22(2), 206–211. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.5.2021.104

Al-Aamri H, Al-Huseini S, Chan MF, Al Saadi A, Al-Sibani N, Al-Dughaishi Z, Al-Alawi M. (2022). Clinical Predictors of Depression among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Cross-sectional Analytical Study from Oman. Oman medical journal, 37(2), e352. https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2022.48.

Al-Dhawyani, A., Al-Hinai, K., Chan MF, Al-Azri M. (2022). Factors Contributing to the Unmet Needs of Primary Caregivers of Omani Children Diagnosed with Leukemia. Oman medical journal, 37(2), e358. https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2022.40.

Al-Shandudi, M., Al-Mandhari, M., Chan MF, Al-Hajri, T., Al-Balushi, M., Al-Azri M. (2022). Health-Related Quality of Life of Omani Colorectal Cancer Survivors. Cancer control: journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center, 29, 10732748221084198. https://doi.org/10.1177/10732748221084198.

Ambusaidi A, Al-Huseini S, Al-Shaqsi H, Al-Ghafri M, Chan MF, Al-Sibani N, Al-Adawi S, Qoronfleh MW. (2022). The Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Social Anxiety Disorder: A Focused National Survey. Chronic stress (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), 6, 24705470221081215. https://doi.org/10.1177/24705470221081215.

Al-Adawi S, Alameddine M, Al-Saadoon M, Al Balushi AA, Chan MF, Bou-Karroum K, Al-Kindy H, Al-Harthi S. M. (2022). The magnitude and effect of work-life imbalance on cognition and affective range among the non-western population: A study from Muscat. PloS one, 17(2), e0263608. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0263608.

Al-Saadi A, Chan MF, Al-Kaabi S, Al-Shikaili M, Al-Mamari F, Al-Abdali M, Al Fazari Z, Al-Huseini S. (2022) Explore the demographic and clinical profile of patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy at tertiary care hospital in Oman: A cluster analysis. Oman Medical Journal,  27 Feb, 1-15, Doi: 10.5001/omj.2022.82.

Al-Kindi R, Ambusaidi A, Al-Mahrooqi A , Al-Omrani N, Al-Jabri M, Al-Sumri H. Factors Associated with Coping Strategies Due to COVID-19 Pandemic-related Stressors among Omani Adults. Oman Med J. 2022 Sep 37(5): e424. Doi: 10.5001/omj.2022.84.

Al-Kindi R, Al-Salmani A, Al-Hadhrami R, Al-Sumri S, Al-Sumri H. Perspective Chapter: Modern Birth Control Methods. In: Amarin, Z. O. editor. Studies in Family Planning [Working Title] [Internet]. London: IntechOpen; 2022 [cited 2022 Aug 15]. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.103858 . Available from: https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/81003.

Al-Kalbani R, Al-Kindi R, Al-Basami T, Al-Awaisi H. Cervical Cancer-related Knowledge and Practice among Omani Women Attending a Family Medicine and Public Health Clinic. Oman Med J. 2022 May 31;37(3):e374. Doi: 10.5001/omj.2022.56. Available from: https://omjournal.org/articleDetails.aspx?coType=2&aId=3146

Ambusaidi S, Al-Busaidi AM, Al-Salmani A, Davidson R, AlShekaili J, Al-Kindi MA, Al-Kindi R. Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Omani Adults with Iron Deficiency Anemia of Unknown Cause: A case-finding study. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 2022 May;22(2):262-267. doi: 10.18295/squmj.5.2021.101. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9155029/pdf/squmj2205-262-267.pdf

Elmusharaf K, Grafton D, Jung JS, Roberts E, Al-Farsi Y, Al Nooh AA, Bin Belaila B, ElShamy A, Al-Zuabi H, Al Mutawa KA, Alraisi S, Al Lawati N, Gharbal A, Alomary S, Kulikov A, Pourghazian N, Slama S, Tarlton D, Banatvala N. The case for investing in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council: an economic evaluation. BMJ Glob Health. 2022 Jun;7(6):e008670. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-008670. PMID: 35649631; PMCID: PMC9161070.

Al-Farsi OA, Al-Farsi YM, Al-Sharbati MM, Al-Adawi S, Cucchi A, Essa MM, Qoronfleh MW. Correction to: Quality of Life among Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disability, and Typical Development. Applied Research in Quality of Life. 2022 Feb;17(1):147-8.

Delipalla S, Koronaiou K, Al-Lawati JA, Sayed M, Alwadey A, AlAlawi EF, Almutawaa K, Hussain A, Al-Maidoor W, Al-Farsi YM. The Introduction of Tobacco Excise Taxation in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Step in the Right Direction of Advancing Public Health. BMC Public Health 22, 737 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13190-0.

Al-Alawi NM, Al-Salmani AA, Al-Jabri MK, Azmi IA, Al-Jardani MM, Al-Mandhari SS, Al-Kindi YS, Al-Omrani NH. Epidemiology and Prevalence of Somatic Symptom Disorder at the Primary Care Level in Muscat, Oman: A Cross-Sectional Study." The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine (2022): 00912174221088263.

Al-Obaidi A, Al-Rawas S, Al-Kiyumi MI, Al-Afifi I, Poothrikovil R, Venugopal P. The Role of serial follow-up and sleep deprivation methods in improving electroencephalography diagnostic yield in a cohort of Omanis aged 13 years and above: A clinical audit study. The Neurodiagnostic Journal. May 2022.

Al-Kindi R, Al-Riyami R, Juma S, Al-Kiyumi MI. Adherence to Levothyroxine Treatment among patients with hypothyroidism in Oman: A national cross-sectional survey. Journal of Current Medical Research and Opinion. Mar 2022.