Salah Al Awaidy - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Dr. Salah Al Awaidy is a Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control Adviser to the office of the Undersecretary of Health Affairs at the Ministry of Health (MOH), Oman. He currently advises on eradication, elimination and control of communicable diseases of public health importance, in addition to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), vaccine supply chain system and International Health Regulations (IHR). Dr. Al Awaidy is a medical doctor, and holds a Masters in Epidemiology.

From 1997 to 2012, Dr. Al Awaidy held the post of Director of Communicable Disease Surveillance and Control, MOH, Oman. During this period, he was assigned the EPI National Program Manager served as a member in several of the national professional committees, namely: member and secretary of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), National focal point for IHR, National Polio program manager, national member and secretariat of the Polio Certification, Acute Flaccid Paralysis and Measles and Rubella expert and vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) national committees and the Zoonotic Committee from 1997 to August 2011.

Dr. Al Awaidy played a pivotal role in reducing the national under five mortality and morbidity, preparedness, management, and control of infectious diseases like SARS, avian influenza, pH1N1 and in establishing national communicable diseases, AEFI, and Rotavirus surveillance, as well as in the eradication of Polio, Measles, Rubella, CRS and leprosy in Oman, GCC and regionally. In addition, he played a fundamental role in reducing mortality and morbidity of vaccine-preventable diseases for pediatric, adolescence, and adult populations.

Under his leadership, Oman achieved Polio-free, Measles-free, Rubella-free, Dranculosis-free and CRS-free status, neonatal tetanus elimination and control and near elimination of Hepatitis B and other VPDs like TB and Schistosomiasis. Oman received the first-ever certification that the Central Vaccine Store fulfilled all the criteria expected of WHO/UNICEF in 2003 and 2004. As a result, Oman has achieved and maintained almost 99% immunization coverage regionally and nationally. In June 2012, he was honored by the CDC as the highest achieving person in Oman.

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Papers by Salah Al Awaidy

Results and Conclusion Introduction Comment: Cite any facts discussed in the introduction. Commen... more Results and Conclusion Introduction Comment: Cite any facts discussed in the introduction. Comment: Provide the study objective at the end of the introduction. Methods Methods to be put in as one text and avoid bullets. Any references should be put down in the reference section. Conclusions: It's too long; could shorten it.

Sultan Qaboos University medical journal, Jan 29, 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the variables that influenced a sample of Omani mothe... more Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the variables that influenced a sample of Omani mothers' support for mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for children. The vaccination against COVID-19 averted millions of fatalities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, a considerable number of parents and caregivers opposed mandating COVID-19 vaccines for children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at several healthcare facilities in Oman using a structured questionnaire between February and March 2022. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyse the data. Results: A total of 700 Omani mothers (response rate = 73.4%) who had children aged 5-11 years old were included. The median age of the mothers was 38 ± 5.19 years. The results of multivariable logistic regression were generally consistent with those of the univariable analysis except for age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Jan 2, 2024

The WHO member states endorsed the goal to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of hepa... more The WHO member states endorsed the goal to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) by 2030, which requires achievement of $ 90% coverage with timely hepatitis B birth dose (HepB-BD), three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine (HepB3), and a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroprevalence # 0.1% in children. We assessed the progress made to achieve EMTCT of HBV in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Data was extracted from National Viral Hepatitis Strategic Frameworks and WHO hepatitis B vaccination coverage estimates during 2018-2022 for all GCC countries. We also reviewed the literature to summarize the prevalence of HBsAg in children. During 2018-2022, coverage with timely HepB-BD and HepB3 was. 90% in all countries. All newborns irrespective of whether parents are nationals or immigrants/expatriates receive HepB-BD and other routine immunization vaccines. Prevalence of HBsAg among children was available in three of six GCC countries; it ranged from 0% in Qatar and Saudi Arabia to 0.4% in Oman. Five countries reported screening pregnant women for HBsAg, and three provided antiviral treatment of those eligible, and hepatitis B immunoglobulin to exposed newborns. In conclusion, all GCC countries achieved hepatitis B vaccination targets and countries with available data have either achieved or are close to achieving EMTCT of HBV. Remaining countries need to implement hepatitis B serosurveys to track progress to EMTCT of HBV.

Frontiers in Public Health, May 15, 2023

Introduction: Internal validation techniques alone do not guarantee the value of a model. This st... more Introduction: Internal validation techniques alone do not guarantee the value of a model. This study aims to investigate the external validity of the Parental Attitude toward Childhood Vaccination (PACV) scale for assessing parents' attitude toward seasonal influenza vaccination. Methods: Using a snowball sampling approach, an anonymous online questionnaire was distributed in two languages (English and Arabic) across seven countries. To assess the internal validity of the model, the machine learning technique of "resampling methods" was used to repeatedly select various samples collected from Egypt and refit the model for each sample. The binary logistic regression model was used to identify the main determinants of parental intention to vaccinate their children against seasonal influenza. We adopted the original model developed and used its predictors to determine parents' intention to vaccinate their children in Libya, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Sudan. The area under the curve (AUC) indicated the model's ability to distinguish events from non-events. We visually compared the observed and predicted probabilities of parents' intention to vaccinate their children using a calibration plot. Results: A total of 430 parents were recruited from Egypt to internally validate the model, and responses from 2095 parents in the other six countries were used to externally validate the model. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the PACV score, child age (adolescence), and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in children were significantly associated with the intention to receive the vaccination. The AUC of the developed model was 0.845. Most of the predicted points were close to the diagonal line, demonstrating better calibration (the prediction error was 16.82%). The sensitivity and specificity of the externally validated model were 89.64 and 37.89%, respectively (AUC = 0.769). Conclusion: The PACV showed similar calibration and discrimination across the six countries. It is transportable and can be used to assess attitudes towards influenza vaccination among parents in different countries using either the Arabic or English version of the scale.

The authors were able to address the scientific difficulties with the eradication of polio and wh... more The authors were able to address the scientific difficulties with the eradication of polio and what went wrong along the way to achieve the goal of eradicating the disease worldwide.

IJAR - Indian Journal of Applied Research, 2017

Original Research Paper Epidemiology Introduction Oman is one of the twenty-two countries in the ... more Original Research Paper Epidemiology Introduction Oman is one of the twenty-two countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). It is located in the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula with a coast that extends 3,165 kilometres from the Strait of Hormuz. Oman's borders include Yemen to the south, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates to the west. The population was 4,159,102 in 2015, with immigrant workers and their families, mostly from South and Southeast Asia, accounting for nearly 44%. Children under 5 years of age comprise 9.5 % of the population and those below 15 years of age comprise only 22% [1, 2]. Oman has been enjoying a stable political, economic, social system and the resultant health system development for almost five decades. This has resulted in near universal access to health care and remarkable changes in its health status as evidenced by the health status indicators and its achievement of all the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) i.e. average life expectancy in 2015 increase to 76.4 years for both sexes at birth, and maternal mortality dropped from 27.3 in 1990 to 11 per 100,000 live births in 2015 [1].

Journal of emergency medicine, trauma and acute care, Oct 9, 2016

Background: Acute respiratory infections, including influenza, comprise a leading cause of morbid... more Background: Acute respiratory infections, including influenza, comprise a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Influenza surveillance provides important information to inform policy on influenza control and vaccination. While the epidemiology of influenza has been well characterized in western countries, few data exist on influenza epidemiology in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. We describe the epidemiology of influenza virus in Oman. Methods: Using syndromic case definitions and protocols, patients from four regional hospitals in Oman were enrolled in a descriptive prospective study to characterize the burden of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and influenza. Patients meeting the SARI case definition provided demographic information as well as oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs. Specimens were tested for influenza A and influenza B. Influenza A viruses were subtyped using RT-PCR. Results: From January 2008 through June 2013, a total of 5,147 cases were enrolled and tested for influenza. Influenza strains were detected in 8% of cases for whom samples were available. Annual incidence rates ranged from 0.5 to 15.4 cases of influenza-associated SARI per 100,000 population. The median age of influenza patients was 6 years with children 0–2 years accounting for 34% of all influenza-associated hospitalizations. By contrast, the median age of non-influenza SARI cases was 1 year, with children 0–2 years comprising 59% of SARI. Compared to non-influenza SARI cases, a greater proportion of influenza cases had pre-existing chronic conditions and underwent ventilation during hospitalization. Conclusions: Influenza virus is associated with a substantial proportion of SARI in Oman. Influenza in Oman approximately follows northern hemisphere seasonality, with major peaks in October to December and a lesser peak around April. The burden of influenza was greatest in children and the elderly. Future efforts should examine the burden of influenza in other potential risk groups such as pregnant women to inform interventions including targeted vaccination.

Academic journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, Aug 9, 2021

Introduction: The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Oman was estimated to have bee... more Introduction: The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Oman was estimated to have been 2-7% prior to the introduction of vaccination. However, HBV remains a major concern among unvaccinated individuals, especially older adults. Objective: The study aim is to describe the epidemiological characteristics of HBV positive patients at a specialized liver clinic at the Armed Forces Hospital, between January 2009 and December 2019. A retrospective cohort study was undertaken, and secondary data were obtained from electronic medical records. Results: 593 patients with positive HBV serology were identified. Fifty-nine percent of patients were male, with a mean age of 42 years (SD: 10.05) compared to females (43 years, SD: 10.70). Eighty-five percent (492/580) of the patients were treatment naïve. Eighty-eight percent showed detectable HBV viremia. The median level of HBV DNA among chronic hepatitis BV patients who are HBeAg-positive was significantly higher: 1 884 847 IU/ml (IQR: 81662-486924145), as compared to the rest of chronic hepatitis BV patients: 339 IU/ml (IQR: 33.5-3366). Elevated ALT (≥ 40 IU/ ml) was found in 29% of the patients. liver abnormalities were detected by ultrasound in 28% (165) of patients. Treatment was introduced in 15% of patients. Conclusion: The majority of HBV patients were seronegative for HB-Ag and were born before the vaccination era. Therefore, these patients with hepatitis B in dormancy do not need treatment, but regular monitoring and follow-up.

Journal of emergency medicine, trauma and acute care, Oct 9, 2016

Oman has committed to the goal of eliminating measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (C... more Oman has committed to the goal of eliminating measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2015 year. Elimination is defined as the absence of endemic measles and rubella transmission in a defined geographical area for ≥ 12 months in the presence of a well-performing surveillance system and for rubella without the occurrence of CRS cases associated with endemic transmission in the presence of high-quality surveillance system. Strategies to reach this goal included: a) achieving and maintenance high rates of vaccination coverage; b) syndromic surveillance programs to monitor fever and rash illness syndromes for effective detection of cases; c) and high-quality surveillance system, and sensitive for CRS. Measles and rubella was a leading cause of infant and child morbidity and mortality in Oman before the introduction of measles vaccine by 1975 and thereafter until 1994. With the introduction of a second dose of measles and first rubella vaccines in 1994, coverage for first and second doses of measles and rubella vaccines increased more than 95% in 1996 and has been sustained thereafter. A national measles and rubella immunization catch-up campaign targeting children ages 15 months to 18 years was conducted in 1994 that achieved 94% coverage. As a result, the incidence of measles and rubella have declined markedly in recent years, to ≤ 1 case per million persons in 2012 and to zero cases for measles and rubella in 2013. Similarly, no case of CRS has been notified since 2007. Oman has made significant progress toward measles and rubella elimination and has met the regional elimination goals. However, new challenges faced by Oman, for instance with increased globalization, has led to issues such as outbreaks from imported cases. Additional challenges still remain with regard to increasing identification and immunization of unvaccinated non-Omani workers and their families.

Oman Medical Journal, Mar 10, 2021

Over the last few weeks, the United Kingdom (UK) has faced a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in ... more Over the last few weeks, the United Kingdom (UK) has faced a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in South East England, leading to enhanced epidemiological and virological investigations. Analysis of viral genome sequence data identified a large proportion of cases belonged to a new single phylogenetic cluster. The new variant is defined by multiple spike protein mutations (deletion 69-70, deletion 144, N501Y, A570D, D614G, P681H, T716I, S982A, D1118H) present as well as mutations in other genomic regions. While it is known and expected that viruses constantly change through mutation leading to the emergence of new variants, preliminary analysis in the UK suggests that this variant is significantly more transmissible than previously circulating variants, with an estimated potential to increase the reproductive number (R) by 0.4 or greater with an estimated increased transmissibility of up to 70%. This new variant has emerged at a time of the year when there has traditionally been increased family and social mixing. There is no indication at this point of increased infection severity associated with the new variant. A few cases with the new variant have to date been reported by Denmark and the Netherlands and, according to media reports, in Belgium.

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, Apr 13, 2023

Journal of epidemiology and global health, Jun 22, 2023

Infectious Diseases and Therapy

Introduction: The reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) in previously infected individuals... more Introduction: The reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) in previously infected individuals can cause herpes zoster (HZ), which is characterized by a localized, painful dermatomal rash. While there is a global trend of increasing HZ cases, there is a lack of research examining the epidemiology of HZ within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Therefore, we aimed to critically appraise evidence on VZV and HZ epidemiology in the GCC countries and identify gaps in the current literature. Methods: A literature review was conducted via a comprehensive appraisal of the literature. PubMed and local-language journals were searched to identify articles related to HZ and VZV published up until 31 January 2022, with a sole focus on the GCC countries. Included studies reported on surveillance data, seroepidemiology, and patient outcomes for HZ and VZV, and comprised primary data reports, case series, case reports, narrative and systematic literature reviews, studies reporting HZ incidence or prevalence, and Ministry of Health reports. Results: Thirteen studies were found that reported on VZV seroprevalence in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar, ranging from 15.0% to 92.2%, while no data were identified for Bahrain, Kuwait, or Oman. There was very limited country-wide information on the incidence of HZ in GCC countries, and three identified studies reported HZ prevalence as seen in a single clinic, ranging from 0.62% to 2.3%. A single study from Saudi Arabia and government surveillance data reported on the impact of VZV vaccination on VZV infection, though there was no evidence on the impact of VZV vaccination on HZ. Conclusion: There is a clear gap in the literature regarding the incidence of HZ infection, and the impacts of HZ and VZV vaccinations in the GCC countries. Further research into the epidemiology of HZ is necessary to inform the implementation of vaccination programs in the GCC countries.

Infectious Diseases and Therapy, 2022

Seasonal influenza represents a huge health burden, resulting in significant mortality and morbid... more Seasonal influenza represents a huge health burden, resulting in significant mortality and morbidity. Following the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, focus has been directed on the burden of influenza globally. Country and regional disease burden estimates play important roles in helping inform decisions on national influenza intervention programmes. Despite improvements in influenza surveillance following the 2009 pandemic, many opportunities remain unexplored in the Eastern Mediterranean and North African (EMNA) region, which has a high prevalence of patients with chronic disease and

Academic Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2021

Introduction: The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Oman was estimated to have bee... more Introduction: The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Oman was estimated to have been 2-7% prior to the introduction of vaccination. However, HBV remains a major concern among unvaccinated individuals, especially older adults. Objective: The study aim is to describe the epidemiological characteristics of HBV positive patients at a specialized liver clinic at the Armed Forces Hospital, between January 2009 and December 2019. A retrospective cohort study was undertaken, and secondary data were obtained from electronic medical records. Results: 593 patients with positive HBV serology were identified. Fifty-nine percent of patients were male, with a mean age of 42 years (SD: 10.05) compared to females (43 years, SD: 10.70). Eighty-five percent (492/580) of the patients were treatment naïve. Eighty-eight percent showed detectable HBV viremia. The median level of HBV DNA among chronic hepatitis BV patients who are HBeAg-positive was significantly higher: 1 884 847 IU/ml (IQR: 81662-486924145), as compared to the rest of chronic hepatitis BV patients: 339 IU/ml (IQR: 33.5-3366). Elevated ALT (≥ 40 IU/ ml) was found in 29% of the patients. liver abnormalities were detected by ultrasound in 28% (165) of patients. Treatment was introduced in 15% of patients. Conclusion: The majority of HBV patients were seronegative for HB-Ag and were born before the vaccination era. Therefore, these patients with hepatitis B in dormancy do not need treatment, but regular monitoring and follow-up.

Results and Conclusion Introduction Comment: Cite any facts discussed in the introduction. Commen... more Results and Conclusion Introduction Comment: Cite any facts discussed in the introduction. Comment: Provide the study objective at the end of the introduction. Methods Methods to be put in as one text and avoid bullets. Any references should be put down in the reference section. Conclusions: It's too long; could shorten it.

Sultan Qaboos University medical journal, Jan 29, 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the variables that influenced a sample of Omani mothe... more Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the variables that influenced a sample of Omani mothers' support for mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for children. The vaccination against COVID-19 averted millions of fatalities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, a considerable number of parents and caregivers opposed mandating COVID-19 vaccines for children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at several healthcare facilities in Oman using a structured questionnaire between February and March 2022. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyse the data. Results: A total of 700 Omani mothers (response rate = 73.4%) who had children aged 5-11 years old were included. The median age of the mothers was 38 ± 5.19 years. The results of multivariable logistic regression were generally consistent with those of the univariable analysis except for age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Jan 2, 2024

The WHO member states endorsed the goal to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of hepa... more The WHO member states endorsed the goal to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) by 2030, which requires achievement of $ 90% coverage with timely hepatitis B birth dose (HepB-BD), three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine (HepB3), and a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroprevalence # 0.1% in children. We assessed the progress made to achieve EMTCT of HBV in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Data was extracted from National Viral Hepatitis Strategic Frameworks and WHO hepatitis B vaccination coverage estimates during 2018-2022 for all GCC countries. We also reviewed the literature to summarize the prevalence of HBsAg in children. During 2018-2022, coverage with timely HepB-BD and HepB3 was. 90% in all countries. All newborns irrespective of whether parents are nationals or immigrants/expatriates receive HepB-BD and other routine immunization vaccines. Prevalence of HBsAg among children was available in three of six GCC countries; it ranged from 0% in Qatar and Saudi Arabia to 0.4% in Oman. Five countries reported screening pregnant women for HBsAg, and three provided antiviral treatment of those eligible, and hepatitis B immunoglobulin to exposed newborns. In conclusion, all GCC countries achieved hepatitis B vaccination targets and countries with available data have either achieved or are close to achieving EMTCT of HBV. Remaining countries need to implement hepatitis B serosurveys to track progress to EMTCT of HBV.

Frontiers in Public Health, May 15, 2023

Introduction: Internal validation techniques alone do not guarantee the value of a model. This st... more Introduction: Internal validation techniques alone do not guarantee the value of a model. This study aims to investigate the external validity of the Parental Attitude toward Childhood Vaccination (PACV) scale for assessing parents' attitude toward seasonal influenza vaccination. Methods: Using a snowball sampling approach, an anonymous online questionnaire was distributed in two languages (English and Arabic) across seven countries. To assess the internal validity of the model, the machine learning technique of "resampling methods" was used to repeatedly select various samples collected from Egypt and refit the model for each sample. The binary logistic regression model was used to identify the main determinants of parental intention to vaccinate their children against seasonal influenza. We adopted the original model developed and used its predictors to determine parents' intention to vaccinate their children in Libya, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Sudan. The area under the curve (AUC) indicated the model's ability to distinguish events from non-events. We visually compared the observed and predicted probabilities of parents' intention to vaccinate their children using a calibration plot. Results: A total of 430 parents were recruited from Egypt to internally validate the model, and responses from 2095 parents in the other six countries were used to externally validate the model. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the PACV score, child age (adolescence), and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in children were significantly associated with the intention to receive the vaccination. The AUC of the developed model was 0.845. Most of the predicted points were close to the diagonal line, demonstrating better calibration (the prediction error was 16.82%). The sensitivity and specificity of the externally validated model were 89.64 and 37.89%, respectively (AUC = 0.769). Conclusion: The PACV showed similar calibration and discrimination across the six countries. It is transportable and can be used to assess attitudes towards influenza vaccination among parents in different countries using either the Arabic or English version of the scale.

The authors were able to address the scientific difficulties with the eradication of polio and wh... more The authors were able to address the scientific difficulties with the eradication of polio and what went wrong along the way to achieve the goal of eradicating the disease worldwide.

IJAR - Indian Journal of Applied Research, 2017

Original Research Paper Epidemiology Introduction Oman is one of the twenty-two countries in the ... more Original Research Paper Epidemiology Introduction Oman is one of the twenty-two countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). It is located in the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula with a coast that extends 3,165 kilometres from the Strait of Hormuz. Oman's borders include Yemen to the south, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates to the west. The population was 4,159,102 in 2015, with immigrant workers and their families, mostly from South and Southeast Asia, accounting for nearly 44%. Children under 5 years of age comprise 9.5 % of the population and those below 15 years of age comprise only 22% [1, 2]. Oman has been enjoying a stable political, economic, social system and the resultant health system development for almost five decades. This has resulted in near universal access to health care and remarkable changes in its health status as evidenced by the health status indicators and its achievement of all the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) i.e. average life expectancy in 2015 increase to 76.4 years for both sexes at birth, and maternal mortality dropped from 27.3 in 1990 to 11 per 100,000 live births in 2015 [1].

Journal of emergency medicine, trauma and acute care, Oct 9, 2016

Background: Acute respiratory infections, including influenza, comprise a leading cause of morbid... more Background: Acute respiratory infections, including influenza, comprise a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Influenza surveillance provides important information to inform policy on influenza control and vaccination. While the epidemiology of influenza has been well characterized in western countries, few data exist on influenza epidemiology in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. We describe the epidemiology of influenza virus in Oman. Methods: Using syndromic case definitions and protocols, patients from four regional hospitals in Oman were enrolled in a descriptive prospective study to characterize the burden of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and influenza. Patients meeting the SARI case definition provided demographic information as well as oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs. Specimens were tested for influenza A and influenza B. Influenza A viruses were subtyped using RT-PCR. Results: From January 2008 through June 2013, a total of 5,147 cases were enrolled and tested for influenza. Influenza strains were detected in 8% of cases for whom samples were available. Annual incidence rates ranged from 0.5 to 15.4 cases of influenza-associated SARI per 100,000 population. The median age of influenza patients was 6 years with children 0–2 years accounting for 34% of all influenza-associated hospitalizations. By contrast, the median age of non-influenza SARI cases was 1 year, with children 0–2 years comprising 59% of SARI. Compared to non-influenza SARI cases, a greater proportion of influenza cases had pre-existing chronic conditions and underwent ventilation during hospitalization. Conclusions: Influenza virus is associated with a substantial proportion of SARI in Oman. Influenza in Oman approximately follows northern hemisphere seasonality, with major peaks in October to December and a lesser peak around April. The burden of influenza was greatest in children and the elderly. Future efforts should examine the burden of influenza in other potential risk groups such as pregnant women to inform interventions including targeted vaccination.

Academic journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, Aug 9, 2021

Introduction: The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Oman was estimated to have bee... more Introduction: The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Oman was estimated to have been 2-7% prior to the introduction of vaccination. However, HBV remains a major concern among unvaccinated individuals, especially older adults. Objective: The study aim is to describe the epidemiological characteristics of HBV positive patients at a specialized liver clinic at the Armed Forces Hospital, between January 2009 and December 2019. A retrospective cohort study was undertaken, and secondary data were obtained from electronic medical records. Results: 593 patients with positive HBV serology were identified. Fifty-nine percent of patients were male, with a mean age of 42 years (SD: 10.05) compared to females (43 years, SD: 10.70). Eighty-five percent (492/580) of the patients were treatment naïve. Eighty-eight percent showed detectable HBV viremia. The median level of HBV DNA among chronic hepatitis BV patients who are HBeAg-positive was significantly higher: 1 884 847 IU/ml (IQR: 81662-486924145), as compared to the rest of chronic hepatitis BV patients: 339 IU/ml (IQR: 33.5-3366). Elevated ALT (≥ 40 IU/ ml) was found in 29% of the patients. liver abnormalities were detected by ultrasound in 28% (165) of patients. Treatment was introduced in 15% of patients. Conclusion: The majority of HBV patients were seronegative for HB-Ag and were born before the vaccination era. Therefore, these patients with hepatitis B in dormancy do not need treatment, but regular monitoring and follow-up.

Journal of emergency medicine, trauma and acute care, Oct 9, 2016

Oman has committed to the goal of eliminating measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (C... more Oman has committed to the goal of eliminating measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2015 year. Elimination is defined as the absence of endemic measles and rubella transmission in a defined geographical area for ≥ 12 months in the presence of a well-performing surveillance system and for rubella without the occurrence of CRS cases associated with endemic transmission in the presence of high-quality surveillance system. Strategies to reach this goal included: a) achieving and maintenance high rates of vaccination coverage; b) syndromic surveillance programs to monitor fever and rash illness syndromes for effective detection of cases; c) and high-quality surveillance system, and sensitive for CRS. Measles and rubella was a leading cause of infant and child morbidity and mortality in Oman before the introduction of measles vaccine by 1975 and thereafter until 1994. With the introduction of a second dose of measles and first rubella vaccines in 1994, coverage for first and second doses of measles and rubella vaccines increased more than 95% in 1996 and has been sustained thereafter. A national measles and rubella immunization catch-up campaign targeting children ages 15 months to 18 years was conducted in 1994 that achieved 94% coverage. As a result, the incidence of measles and rubella have declined markedly in recent years, to ≤ 1 case per million persons in 2012 and to zero cases for measles and rubella in 2013. Similarly, no case of CRS has been notified since 2007. Oman has made significant progress toward measles and rubella elimination and has met the regional elimination goals. However, new challenges faced by Oman, for instance with increased globalization, has led to issues such as outbreaks from imported cases. Additional challenges still remain with regard to increasing identification and immunization of unvaccinated non-Omani workers and their families.

Oman Medical Journal, Mar 10, 2021

Over the last few weeks, the United Kingdom (UK) has faced a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in ... more Over the last few weeks, the United Kingdom (UK) has faced a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in South East England, leading to enhanced epidemiological and virological investigations. Analysis of viral genome sequence data identified a large proportion of cases belonged to a new single phylogenetic cluster. The new variant is defined by multiple spike protein mutations (deletion 69-70, deletion 144, N501Y, A570D, D614G, P681H, T716I, S982A, D1118H) present as well as mutations in other genomic regions. While it is known and expected that viruses constantly change through mutation leading to the emergence of new variants, preliminary analysis in the UK suggests that this variant is significantly more transmissible than previously circulating variants, with an estimated potential to increase the reproductive number (R) by 0.4 or greater with an estimated increased transmissibility of up to 70%. This new variant has emerged at a time of the year when there has traditionally been increased family and social mixing. There is no indication at this point of increased infection severity associated with the new variant. A few cases with the new variant have to date been reported by Denmark and the Netherlands and, according to media reports, in Belgium.

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, Apr 13, 2023

Journal of epidemiology and global health, Jun 22, 2023

Infectious Diseases and Therapy

Introduction: The reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) in previously infected individuals... more Introduction: The reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) in previously infected individuals can cause herpes zoster (HZ), which is characterized by a localized, painful dermatomal rash. While there is a global trend of increasing HZ cases, there is a lack of research examining the epidemiology of HZ within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Therefore, we aimed to critically appraise evidence on VZV and HZ epidemiology in the GCC countries and identify gaps in the current literature. Methods: A literature review was conducted via a comprehensive appraisal of the literature. PubMed and local-language journals were searched to identify articles related to HZ and VZV published up until 31 January 2022, with a sole focus on the GCC countries. Included studies reported on surveillance data, seroepidemiology, and patient outcomes for HZ and VZV, and comprised primary data reports, case series, case reports, narrative and systematic literature reviews, studies reporting HZ incidence or prevalence, and Ministry of Health reports. Results: Thirteen studies were found that reported on VZV seroprevalence in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar, ranging from 15.0% to 92.2%, while no data were identified for Bahrain, Kuwait, or Oman. There was very limited country-wide information on the incidence of HZ in GCC countries, and three identified studies reported HZ prevalence as seen in a single clinic, ranging from 0.62% to 2.3%. A single study from Saudi Arabia and government surveillance data reported on the impact of VZV vaccination on VZV infection, though there was no evidence on the impact of VZV vaccination on HZ. Conclusion: There is a clear gap in the literature regarding the incidence of HZ infection, and the impacts of HZ and VZV vaccinations in the GCC countries. Further research into the epidemiology of HZ is necessary to inform the implementation of vaccination programs in the GCC countries.

Infectious Diseases and Therapy, 2022

Seasonal influenza represents a huge health burden, resulting in significant mortality and morbid... more Seasonal influenza represents a huge health burden, resulting in significant mortality and morbidity. Following the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, focus has been directed on the burden of influenza globally. Country and regional disease burden estimates play important roles in helping inform decisions on national influenza intervention programmes. Despite improvements in influenza surveillance following the 2009 pandemic, many opportunities remain unexplored in the Eastern Mediterranean and North African (EMNA) region, which has a high prevalence of patients with chronic disease and

Academic Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2021

Introduction: The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Oman was estimated to have bee... more Introduction: The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Oman was estimated to have been 2-7% prior to the introduction of vaccination. However, HBV remains a major concern among unvaccinated individuals, especially older adults. Objective: The study aim is to describe the epidemiological characteristics of HBV positive patients at a specialized liver clinic at the Armed Forces Hospital, between January 2009 and December 2019. A retrospective cohort study was undertaken, and secondary data were obtained from electronic medical records. Results: 593 patients with positive HBV serology were identified. Fifty-nine percent of patients were male, with a mean age of 42 years (SD: 10.05) compared to females (43 years, SD: 10.70). Eighty-five percent (492/580) of the patients were treatment naïve. Eighty-eight percent showed detectable HBV viremia. The median level of HBV DNA among chronic hepatitis BV patients who are HBeAg-positive was significantly higher: 1 884 847 IU/ml (IQR: 81662-486924145), as compared to the rest of chronic hepatitis BV patients: 339 IU/ml (IQR: 33.5-3366). Elevated ALT (≥ 40 IU/ ml) was found in 29% of the patients. liver abnormalities were detected by ultrasound in 28% (165) of patients. Treatment was introduced in 15% of patients. Conclusion: The majority of HBV patients were seronegative for HB-Ag and were born before the vaccination era. Therefore, these patients with hepatitis B in dormancy do not need treatment, but regular monitoring and follow-up.