Highlights 4.3% of our hospital HCWs were infected with COVID 19 during the study period. There was no significant difference between hospital and community acquisition of the infection with age, nationality, or presence of co-morbidities. There was a significant difference between hospital and community-acquired concerning HCWs categories, gender and being at risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the hospital. 78% of the infected HCWs had no chronic diseases and all had an uneventful recovery.

The present novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection has engendered a worldwide crisis on an enormous scale within a very short period. The effective solution for this pandemic is to recognize the nature and spread of the disease so that appropriate policies can be framed. Mathematical modelling is always at the forefront to understand and provide an adequate description of the transmission of any disease. In this research work, we have formulated a deterministic compartmental model (SEAMHCRD) including various stages of infection, such as Mild, Moderate, Severe and Critical to study the spreading of COVID-19 and estimated the model parameters by fitting the model with the reported data of ongoing pandemic in Oman. The steady-state, stability and final pandemic size of the model has been proved mathematically. The various transmission as well as transition parameters are estimated during the period from June 4th to July 30th, 2020. Based on the currently estimated parameters, the pandemic size is also predicted for another 100 days. Sensitivity analysis is performed to identify the key model parameters, and the parameter gamma due to contact with the symptomatic moderately infected is found to be more significant in spreading the disease. Accordingly, the corresponding basic reproduction number has also been computed using the Next Generation Matrix (NGM) method. As the value of the basic reproduction number (R0) is 0.9761 during the period from June 4th to July 30th, 2020, the disease-free equilibrium is stable. Isolation and tracing the contact of infected individuals are recommended to control the spread of disease.

Objectives: Stroke is recognized to be the third most common cause of mortality, with increasing incidence among developing countries. Recognition and control of risk factors is of prime importance in the prevention of stroke. We aimed to study the characteristics of ischemic stroke (IS) patients in Oman, and quantify its various risk factors using a case-control model. Methods: This study conducted from January 2012 to March 2013 included 255 adult Omani patients with IS admitted to two premier hospitals in Oman, compared to 255 age- and gender-matched controls. Demographic factors and frequency of various conventional risk factors were documented. Univariate and step-wise multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate the risk factors associated for IS. Results: Of the 255 cases, 63% were males. The mean age was 62.2 ± 13.2 years. Most of the cases (89%)  were above 45 years of age. Cardio-embolism(32%) was the commonest mechanism of IS. The stepwise multiple logistic regression model revealed that family history of stroke was the strongest independent risk factor with odds ratio (OR) of 10.10, followed by hypertension with OR of 5.17 and high-density lipoprotein with OR 3.34 (p< 0.01). Conclusions: Cardio-embolism was the predominant mechanism of IS in this study. Family history of stroke, hypertension and reduced high-density lipoprotein were the leading independent risk factors. Strong emphasis on screening for risk factors, control of hypertension and life-style modification for those with family history of stroke, would be expected to emerge as the major stroke-preventive measures in Oman. Keywords:  Ischemic stroke; Risk factors; Case-control study; Oman.

Objectives: Stroke is a significant public health problem and one of the important preventable non-communicable diseases. Preventive stroke programs are yet to be properly established in Oman, with a better focus on increasing awareness among those who are currently at risk. This study was conducted to describe the characteristics of stroke presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Oman. Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study. Included 193 stroke cases which were prospectively recruited from the Emergency Department of a tertiary-level hospital. Data was collected from November 2017 to April 2018. Results: The total number of patients was 193. 82.9% of strokes were ischemic strokes. 58% were male. The mean age of stroke patients was 61.05 years. Risk factors included hypertension (72.5%) and diabetes mellitus (54.4%). Dyslipidemia, atrial fibrillation and ischemic heart diseases were not particularly prevalent in our population. 24.4% of ischemic strokes had large artery atherosclerosis and 21.9% had small vessel occlusion. Significantly more patients had lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), required ICU admission and had in-hospital deaths in hemorrhagic stroke compared to ischemic stroke. Conclusions: This study provides essential stroke characteristics data specific to Oman’s population. Most of the information obtained conforms with that described internationally and similar preventive strategies can be implemented. The information can be utilized by health administrators in planning resource allocation. Further research is needed to explore rehabilitation aspects and long-term outcomes. Keywords: Stroke; Ischemic; Hemorrhagic; Young Stroke; Risk Factors; Thrombolysis; Epidemiology; Oman.

Objectives: To describe the demographic distribution of cystic fibrosis (CF) in Omani children, estimate the national prevalence, and provide updated mutational panels of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of all CF patients who had been diagnosed and followed-up at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and Royal Hospital in Oman between 2006 and 2020. Data were collected from electronic hospital records and telephone interviews. Results: A total of 227 patients with CF were included in the study. Geographical clusters of the disease were identified in the governorates of Al-Batinah, A’Dhahirah, and A’Dakhiliyah. Parental consanguinity and family history of CF were present in 68.3% and 69.6% of the patients , respectively. The most common CFTR mutation was p.Ser549Arg (52.0%), followed by p.Phe508del (12.3%), and c.2988+1G>A (4.4%). Three novel CFTR mutations were identified, viz., Leu88TyrFs*, p.Asp192Val, and c.4242+1G>C. Conclusions: The estimated prevalence of CF in Oman is 10.3 per 100 000 individuals. Premarital genetic counseling and preimplantation genetic testing are recommended in CF-prevalent regions.