Mapping the capacity of health promotion interventions for non-communicable diseases in Oman

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic medical conditions that are, by definition, non-infectious, and non-transmissible among people and caused by a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioral factors. Affecting all age groups, regions and countries, NCDs cause 72% of deaths in Oman. Health promotion (HP) capacity development is considered fundamental to strengthening and sustaining action against NCDs. This study aimed to map the existing HP capacity for NCDs in Oman by assessing existing knowledge, skills, commitment, structure, systems and leadership and identifying gaps where further capacity is required. The current study used an adapted version of the World Health Organization capacity mapping tool for HP to assess the stage of development across eight HP capacity domains. Quantitative data were collected from 306 geographically dispersed participants across Oman via an online cross-sectional survey. Analyses revealed low scores in policies and plans, collaboration, partnership and professional development domains and even lower scores in the domains of program delivery, information systems and financing. We recommend Oman build and develop more capacity in all domains. The implications of findings are discussed in the context of the current HP policy and practice in Oman.

Health promotion strategy as part of Vision 2050 in Oman: the way forward

INTRODUCTION

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Oman. The adoption of unhealthy and sedentary lifestyles associated with rising income is trending with a large number of individuals and is contributing to the emergence of substantial health issues. Ultimately, the incidence of NCDs has increased considerably. This review aims to define strategies that can help in attaining Oman's national health promotion goals.

RESULTS

The current health promotion strategies have not been adequate or sufficient to meet the national Health Vision 2050 of Oman.

CONCLUSION

Unsafe behaviors and unhealthy lifestyles that led to a significant increase in NCDs have emerged in Oman. Careful re-planning and continuous monitoring and evaluation of health promotion activities are necessary for effective implementation of health policies, with the ultimate goal of reducing the NCD burden in Oman.

A global systematic scoping review of studies analysing indicators, development, and content of national-level physical activity and sedentary behaviour policies

BACKGROUND

National policy approaches to physical activity (PA) promotion and sedentary behaviour (SB) reduction are needed to address rising rates of non-communicable diseases. Understanding the policy process and impact through robust research and evaluation is crucial for facilitating successful reforms in national health policy. This scoping review, therefore, aimed to map the evidence on indicators, development, and content of national PA and/or SB policies globally.

METHODS

A systematic search of academic and grey literature was conducted through six bibliographic databases, Google, and websites of three large organisations for PA promotion.

RESULTS

Out of 24,872 screened documents, 203 publications from 163 studies were selected. The selected studies investigated PA/SB policies in 168 countries worldwide, and we provided summary results for each of the countries. Overall, 69, 29, and 2% of the analyses of national PA/SB policies were conducted for high-, middle-, and low-income countries, respectively. Twenty-two percent of the studies mentioned SB policies as part of their analysis, with only one study focusing solely on assessing SB policies. Operational definitions of policy were found in only 13% of publications. Only 15% of the studies used a conceptual or theoretical framework. A large variety of methods were used for data collection and analysis of PA/SB policy.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that PA policy research is much more developed than it was considered several years ago. Research around SB policies is still in its infancy, but it seems to have experienced some positive progress in the last few years. Three key issues were identified that should be addressed in further research: [i] there is a lack of PA/SB policy research in low- and middle-income countries, which is an important limitation of the current body of evidence; [ii] the definition of policy varied significantly across studies, and most studies did not rely on any theoretical framework, which may impede cross-study comparisons; and [iii] studies have used a variety of methods to analyse policy, which may also cause problems with comparability. Future PA/SB policy research should aim towards a clearer conceptualisation of policy, greater reliance on existing theoretical frameworks, and the use and further development of standardised methods for PA/SB policy analysis.

The ticking time bomb in lifestyle-related diseases among women in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries; review of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

This study aims to review all published systematic reviews on the prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors among women from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC). This is the first review of other systematic reviews that concentrates on lifestyle related diseases among women in GCC countries only.

METHOD

Literature searches were carried out in three electronic databases for all published systematic reviews on the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in the GCC countries between January 2000 and February 2016.

RESULTS

Eleven systematic reviews were identified and selected for our review. Common reported risk factors for cardiovascular disease were obesity, physical inactivity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and hypertension. In GCC countries, obesity among the female population ranges from 29 to 45.7%, which is one of the highest rates globally, and it is linked with physical inactivity, ranging from 45 to 98.7%. The prevalence of diabetes is listed as one of the top ten factors globally, and was reported with an average of 21%. Hypertension ranged from 20.9 to 53%.

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases among women population in GCC is a ticking time bomb and is reaching alarming levels, and require a fundamental social and political changes. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive work among the GCC to strengthen the regulatory framework to decrease and control the prevalence of these factors.

Responding to non-communicable diseases in Zambia: a policy analysis

BACKGROUND

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are an emerging global health concern. Reports have shown that, in Zambia, NCDs are also an emerging problem and the government has begun initiating a policy response. The present study explores the policy response to NCDs by the Ministry of Health in Zambia using the policy triangle framework of Walt and Gilson.

METHODS

A qualitative approach was used for the study. Data collected through key informant interviews with stakeholders who were involved in the NCD health policy development process as well as review of key planning and policy documents were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The government's policy response was as a result of international strategies from WHO, evidence of increasing disease burden from NCDs and pressure from interest groups. The government developed the NCD strategic plan based on the WHO Global Action Plan for NCDs 2013-2030. Development of the NCD strategic plan was driven by the government through the Ministry of Health, who set the agenda and adopted the final document. Stakeholders participated in the fine tuning of the draft document from the Ministry of Health. The policy development process was lengthy and this affected consistency in composition of the stakeholders and policy development momentum. Lack of representative research evidence for some prioritised NCDs and use of generic targets and indicators resulted in the NCD strategic plan being inadequate for the Zambian context. The interventions in the strategic plan also underutilised the potential of preventing NCDs through health education. Recent government pronouncements were also seen to be conflicting the risk factor reduction strategies outlined in the NCD strategic plan.

CONCLUSION

The content of the NCD strategic plan inadequately covered all the major NCDs in Zambia. Although contextual factors like international strategies and commitments are crucial catalysts to policy development, there is need for domestication of international guidelines and frameworks to match the disease burden, resources and capacities in the local context if policy measures are to be comprehensive, relevant and measurable. Such domestication should be guided by representative local research evidence.

Tobacco Control in Oman: It's Time to Get Serious!

Tobacco use is the world's leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. Although Oman remains a country with the lowest tobacco use in the Arab Gulf States, the prevalence of tobacco use is projected to increase to 33.3% by 2025. In 2005, Oman acceded to the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, an international treaty with numerous obligations aiming to reduce the global burden of tobacco use. This paper documents, for the first time, Oman's experience in tobacco control by providing a descriptive analysis of the evolution of tobacco control policies in relation to the country's international obligations. In order to curb tobacco use and maintain current low prevalence levels, the paper concludes that Oman needs to accelerate action in adopting the highest attainable policies recommended by the World Health Organization's MPOWER package.