abstract:Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of Omani adults regarding conventional coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and to identify demographic variables associated with these knowledge levels. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional pilot study was carried out among a convenience sample of 130 adults attending a health awareness fair held in a local shopping mall in Muscat, Oman, in November 2012. A modified version of the Heart Disease Facts Questionnaire in both English and Arabic was used to assess knowledge of CHD risk factors. Scores were calculated by summing the correct answers for each item (range: 0-21). Inadequate knowledge was indicated by a mean score of <70%. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to establish the participants' knowledge levels and identify associated demographic variables. Results: A total of 114 subjects participated in the study (response rate: 87.7%). Of these, 69 participants (60.5%) had inadequate mean CHD knowledge scores. Knowledge of CHD risk factors was significantly associated with body mass index (odds ratio [OR] = 0.739; P = 0.023), marital status (OR = 0.057; P = 0.036) and education level (OR = 9.243; P = 0.006). Conclusion: Low knowledge levels of CHD risk factors were observed among the studied community sample in Oman; this is likely to limit the participants' ability to engage in preventative practices. These findings support the need for education programmes to enhance awareness of risk factors and prevention of CHD in Oman. Sultan Qaboos University Med J, May 2016, Vol. 16, Iss. 2, pp. 189-196, Epub.

The behavior of clinical preceptors plays a key role in the learning process of students. This study explored preceptors' perceptions of the clinical teaching-learning process of final-year undergraduate nursing students. After ethical permission was obtained, a 30-item questionnaire was administered to 76 preceptors at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in 2011. Most preceptors had more than 10 years of experience. The majority (87%) of preceptors rated students' response to constructive feedback positively, and 75% evaluated students' professional behaviors and communication positively. Several factors were identified as interfering with preceptorship, including lack of protected time and heavy workload of preceptors, poor correlation of theory and practice, and lack of interest in direct patient care by students. Most preceptors identified factors that facilitate preceptorship as students' commitment to direct patient care and consistent shift duty with the assigned preceptor during the entire clinical rotation. These results may help faculty appreciate preceptors' views and acknowledge areas of success, as well as areas that need improvement.

Targeting type 2 diabetes people with low level of education, low income and overweight may help to enhance their foot care and reduce foot complications in similar populations, Implications. Those most at risk of foot problems should be targeted for education to increase their awareness of ways to prevent and to manage foot problems.

Student engagement in a clinical learning environment is a vital component in the curricula of pre-licensure nursing students, providing an opportunity to combine cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills. This paper is significant in Arab world as there is a lack of knowledge, attitude and practice of student involvement in the new clinical learning environment. The purpose of this review article is to describe the experiences and perspectives of the nurse educator in facilitating pre-licensure nursing students' engagement in the new clinical learning environment. The review suggests that novice students prefer actual engagement in clinical learning facilitated through diversity experiences, shared learning opportunities, student-faculty interaction and active learning. They expressed continuous supervision, ongoing feedback, interpersonal relationship and personal support from nurse educators useful in the clinical practice. However, the value of this review lies in a better understanding of what constitutes quality clinical learning environment from the students' perspective of engagement in evidence-based nursing, reflective practice, e-learning and simulated case scenarios facilitated by the nurse educators. This review is valuable in planning and implementing innovative clinical and educational experiences for improving the quality of the clinical teaching-learning environment.

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Osteoporosis is common among postmenopausal women, giving rise to morbidity and diminishing the quality of life. There is lack of information about the risk factors of Osteoporosis among local Omani women. The aim was to explore the risk factors of Osteoporosis among Omani women using a Modified Fracture Risk Assessment Tool. This is an exploratory research design using a simple random sampling. A pilot study was conducted among 35 local Omani women from the Muscat region, who completed the validated and reliable Modified Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (MFRAT). Bone Mineral Density (BMD) was measured among 11 women at moderate-high risk based on MFRAT. The data was analyzed using inferential statistics. Fourteen Omani women were at moderate-high risk for Osteoporotic fracture due to factors related premenopausal, Vitamin D deficiency, increased parity, increased lactation period and sedentary lifestyle. Among these five women had low BMD and required early intervention and support. Determinants of Osteoporosis can be assessed among premenopausal Omani women with a specific risk assessment tool. There is a need to construct a culturally sensitive risk assessment tool for Omani women for early screening and detection of Osteoporosis. Nurses can identify, provide intervention and education for Omani women at-risk of fracture

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