Qatar Journal of Public Health - الأعداد السابقة

Background Communicable disease surveillance in Qatar was expanded and improved to adapt to the demanding requirements during the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup Qatar 2022™. This article documents Qatar’s surveillance enhancements to support future mass-gathering preparedness strategies.

Methods The notification enhancement project (NEP) and the mass gathering – early warning, alert, and response system (MG-EWARS) project were executed to intensify communicable disease surveillance. Global public-health intelligence was monitored using Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS). A unified command oversaw all surveillance activities, assessed risks, and made decisions.

Results The surveillance system detected and responded to public health threats effectively. The NEP increased disease notifications from healthcare workers by 214%. The EIOS screened ~300,000 articles, identifying three major health events. The MG-EWARS Cell provided daily situational analysis to stakeholders, including insights from indicator-based, event-based, and sentinel-syndromic surveillance.

Conclusion The Ministry of Public Health in Qatar successfully implemented novel projects and activities to enhance surveillance of infectious diseases during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Early and research-driven planning, use of the latest technology, appropriate training programs, and prudent allocation of resources were the key strategies employed.

Background Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is endemic in Balochistan, caused by the Bunyaviridae family’s tick-borne virus (Nairovirus). The CCHF virus leads to severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks with a fatality rate of 10–40%. This study aims to describe the epidemiological trend of CCHF in Balochistan and provide recommendations for controlling current and future outbreaks.

Methods A descriptive approach was adopted for data analysis, utilizing the standard case definition of the Vector-Borne Diseases (VBD) program.

“Any person of any age and gender residing in Balochistan from 2000 until August 10, 2021, presenting with the acute onset of illness, featuring a high-grade fever (38.5°C) persisting for more than 3 days but less than 10 days. Individuals should also exhibit any two of the following symptoms: hemorrhagic or purpuric rash, nosebleed, blood in vomit/sputum/stool, or other hemorrhagic symptoms. Moreover, there should be no known predisposing factors for hemorrhagic manifestations, and individuals must have had contact with a confirmed patient or engaged in handling animals and raw animal products.”

The study covered cases identified from 2000 to August 10, 2021, and the descriptive study was conducted at the Provincial Disease Surveillance and Response Unit (PDSRU) in Quetta. Frequencies were calculated, and Excel 2016 was used to generate tables and graphs.

Results Based on the case definition, 1418 laboratory-confirmed cases of CCHF were identified out of 2542 reported cases from 2000 to August 10, 2021. Most cases (89%, n = 1262) were found to be males. The case fatality rate increased from 5% to 13% over the last decade. The highest number of CCHF cases occurred in 2017 (n = 172), followed by 2005 (n = 108) and 2004 (n = 107). Direct animal contact was reported in 61% of cases, with 22% being butchers and farmers each. CCHF poses a significant public health issue in Balochistan.

Conclusion This study provides a detailed overview of CCHF in Balochistan over the last 21 years, recommending the declaration of CCHF as a public health emergency. Establishing a comprehensive tick surveillance system, ecological studies, and health education sessions in collaboration with the livestock department is crucial to prevent future outbreaks.

Objective: This study explores the adaptation of radiologists at Sidra Medicine, Qatar, to the home-based picture archiving and communication system (HPACS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This qualitative study used a phenomenological methodology to delve into the experiences of radiologists using HPACS, which emerged as a crucial tool for remote radiology practice during the pandemic. It highlights the perceived benefits, barriers, and challenges of using HPACS, and emphasizes its role in ensuring continuity of patient care and diagnostics while adhering to safety protocols. Results: The study reveals how HPACS facilitated work efficiency and safety, and also presented challenges such as workspace limitations and technical issues. The findings suggest a transformative impact of HPACS on the field of radiology, and indicate a future marked by increasingly digital and decentralized practices. Conclusion: This research contributes to understanding the adaptation of healthcare professionals to remote work technologies and provides insights for improving remote radiology systems and preparing for future crises.

Background: The Primary Health Care Corporation in Qatar uses continuing professional development (CPD) to improve the knowledge and practices of healthcare professionals (HCPs). Due to COVID-19, CPD delivery has shifted from in-person to e-learning. While the need to provide CPD is evident, there is a lack of understanding of how HCPs access and use e-learning and how this learning influences the organizational outcomes in primary care settings. Aim: The aim of this review was to explore (a) the facilitators and barriers to accessing and using e-learning and (b) the impact of e-learning on HCPs’ learning, their practices, and organizational outcomes. Methodology: Primary research publications between 2013 and 2022 were obtained from the CINAHL, MEDLINE OVID, and EBSCO databases. A total of 39 articles were included in this integrative review, which was guided by Whittemore and Knafl's framework. The MMAT was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Kirkpatrick's model guided data analysis. Findings: The reaction level is influenced by the characteristics of e-learning content and delivery as well as the motivation of individuals. The learning level is influenced by the level of awareness, knowledge, skills, confidence, attitudes, and beliefs of HCPs. The behavior level is associated with intentions to change or apply in practice as well as implications for practice. The organizational impact is characterized by the quality of patient care. Conclusion: Understanding the potential facilitators and barriers to accessing and using e-learning is crucial when designing and implementing CPD to improve the quality of e-learning and therefore the quality of patient care.

Background: Oman faces the triple burden of malnutrition (TBM) among children under 5 years of age, characterized by stunting, overweight, and wasting. This critical issue impacts children’s healthy development and the country’s progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goal three addressing good health and well-being.

Methods: This study employs secondary data analysis to investigate the prevalence and trends of stunting, overweight, and wasting among children under 5 years of age in Oman, compared with selected Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Data sources include the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank Group. Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework (MSF) and Howlett’s Policy Implementation Theory are used to critically analyze Oman’s strategies for improving child malnutrition.

Results: The prevalence of stunting in Oman decreased from 12.3% in 2012 to 11.6% in 2022. The percentage of children who are overweight increased significantly from 2.9% in 2012 to 6.5% in 2022, surpassing trends in OECD countries. The incidence of wasting was 9.3% in 2017.

Conclusion: The three critical aspects to address TBM in Oman are (1) policy gaps (the need for regular follow-up of children under the age of 5 years), (2) implementation barriers (need for regular program review and stakeholder engagement), and (3) the need for tailored interventions. These challenges can be rectified by (1) implementing an expansion of nutrition programs through early education in childcare facilities, (2) increasing parental awareness, and (3) increasing collaboration with healthcare providers (through childcare health programs) for continuous monitoring and support.

This commentary explores the detrimental impact of the recent armed conflict in Sudan on neglected tropical zoonotic diseases (NTZDs). Sudan is already grappling with a substantial NTZD burden due to historical conflicts and natural disasters. However, the current conflict has exacerbated the situation by hindering healthcare access, displacing populations, and worsening socio-economic conditions. These factors create a breeding ground for a surge in NTZD outbreaks, particularly during the months of the rainy season (June–September). The commentary emphasizes the urgent need for a One-Health approach to combat this impending public health crisis. This approach requires a multifaceted strategy encompassing integrated surveillance, enhanced diagnostic capabilities, robust emergency preparedness, and investment in workforce training. Community engagement and vector control measures are also crucial for mitigating the spread of these zoonotic diseases.

Background: Vision acuity screening and referrals are pivotal in the early detection and management of visual disturbances among school children. This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate the adherence of school nurses in governmental schools in Qatar to established vision acuity screening and referral standards and to enhance this adherence through a targeted intervention.

Methods: Utilizing a before-and-after study design, this clinical audit focused on students in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 during the academic years 2021–2022 (baseline) and 2022–2023 (post-intervention). The methodology encompassed a baseline assessment, root cause analysis, intervention implementation, and a post-intervention assessment. Data extraction was performed from Qatar’s electronic health records (EHRs) system.

Results: In the baseline assessment, 75.5% (95%CI 73.4–81.6) of 48,089 eligible students were screened, with 9.9% displaying abnormal visual acuity. Only 38.6% of those with abnormal visual acuity were referred. Post-intervention, screening compliance increased to 91.5% (95%CI 91.2–93.9, p < 0.001) among 48,946 students. Of those screened, 10.1% showed abnormal visual acuity, with referrals surging to 99.6% (p < 0.001). The appropriateness of referrals also improved significantly post-intervention (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The intervention yielded a statistically significant improvement in the adherence of school nurses to vision acuity screening and referral standards in Qatar.

Application to practice: The study highlights the importance of targeted interventions in improving school nurses’ adherence to vision screening and referral protocols, emphasizing the need for regular training, policy support, and the use of EHRs to enhance the early detection and management of visual disturbances among students, contributing to better health and educational outcomes.

Introduction: Working mothers from different cultures have been heavily challenged during the different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Infectious disease outbreaks increase women’s missions, which challenge their abilities to balance time among the different tasks. The purpose of this study was to capture the voices of working Arab mothers through their posts on Twitter to explore the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to understand how working Arab women’s lives were affected and how the pandemic’s burden interacted with existing challenges in Arab women’s lives, such as gender hierarchies and patriarchal social structure.

Methodology: Arab mothers’ posts on Twitter during the first 3 months of the pandemic (March–June 2020) were extracted manually. The search strategy followed included a combination of terms searched in Arabic, with each keyword being searched separately with one of the fixed terms (COVID-19 or Corona) in the search engine. Keywords searched for are work, mother/s, worker/s, working mothers, children, kids, husband, online teaching, cleaning, tired, pressure, and home chores. Only 40 posts were relevant and included in the current study. Conventional content analysis was followed to analyze the mothers’ posts on Twitter.

Results: The findings showed that these mothers struggled to manage family, household, and children’s online learning (N = 14); work from home and/or be at the worksite (N = 12); the negative consequences on mental and social wellbeing (N = 17); and the financial crises during the pandemic (N = 4). They were disappointed with the insufficient support provided by husbands (N = 2) and the government’s response in addressing their needs as working mothers during the pandemic (N = 7).

Conclusion: Recognizing the extent to which disease outbreaks affect women is a fundamental step to understanding the effects of health emergencies on them and creating effective policies and interventions. Public health policies, measures, and media are needed to promote better self-care for families, especially mothers, to avoid future tensions in the healthcare system during and after the pandemic.

Neurological disorders present formidable challenges, particularly in conflict zones, where access to healthcare is severely restricted. This review examines the profound impact of neurological diseases, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder, on individuals in conflict zones, with a focus on the situation in Gaza. Amidst the ongoing conflict, Gaza faces significant health crises exacerbated by limited access to medication, rehabilitation, and healthcare services due to infrastructure destruction and resource constraints. Traumatic head injuries, a hallmark of conflict, impose immense strain on the healthcare system, and blast-related TBIs are prevalent. This review underscores the critical need for immediate action to address the healthcare crisis in Gaza, including prioritizing ceasefires, strengthening healthcare facilities, providing specialized training for healthcare professionals, and ensuring continued international aid and support. Failure to act promptly exacerbates suffering and increases the likelihood of permanent disabilities and psychological damage, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.