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15) and current programme implementation and evaluation (5.10). Participants had low scores in readiness in association with human and technical resources (2.44), attitudes towards CMP (2.90), scientific data on CMP (3.06) and material resources (3.46). Conclusion The results of this study indicate that Oman has a moderate level of readiness to implement large-scale evidence-based prevention programmes against child maltreatment; however, several dimensions still need to be strengthened. It is important to develop a national strategy that outlines a framework for organising and prioritising efforts towards CMP. © Copyright 2020, Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, All Rights Reserved.Objectives Stigma and discrimination undermine the quality of life of people with HIV and their access to health services. This study aimed to assess HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and practices among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Oman. Methods This cross-sectional study took place between July and November 2016. A questionnaire was distributed to 1,400 government HCWs to determine HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and practices. Results A total of 1,281 HCWs participated (response rate = 92%). Routine tasks, such as dressing wounds, drawing blood and touching clothes, were a cause of concern for 24-52% of HCWs. Only 69% correctly answered questions regarding the transmission of HIV via eating/drinking and mosquito bites. Compared to other HCWs, doctors had significantly higher knowledge (mean = 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19 to 0.73; P 15 years' work experience scored significantly higher on knowledge (mean = -0.60, 95% CI -1.12 to -0.08; P = 0.025) and attitude (mean = -0.99, 95% CI -1.87 to -0.10; P = 0.029) compared to those with less experience. Conclusion The high rate of HIV-related stigma among HCWs in Oman should be rectified in order to achieve the 90-90-90 target set by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. © Copyright 2020, Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, All Rights Reserved.Social media is becoming an invasive part of the lives of many professionals including those in the healthcare field. One of the countless implications of such an invasion is how the healthcare professional's engagement with social media affects the traditional doctor-patient relationship. read more The online presence of professionals should be carefully self-monitored as it affects the individual's reputation and society's perception of their profession. Therefore, the contents of public and personal accounts must differ according to their purpose. In the public eye, conflicts of interest must be declared and scientifically-based medical advice should be clearly differentiated from experience-based advice, personal opinions or commercial advertisements. Online doctor-patient relationships risk the privacy of patients as well as the personal privacy of the healthcare professional. Personal accounts created for friends and family should be kept separate from public accounts created for educational, professional or commercial purposes. Published educational material should be clearly differentiated from commercial material so that it is easier for the public to make an informed decision. This paper proposes a code of online ethical conduct to be implemented in Oman. © Copyright 2020, Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, All Rights Reserved.Treatments that target alterations in gut microbiota may be beneficial for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted of randomised clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics. Factors considered in the analysis included global IBS symptoms and/or abdominal pain, secondary symptoms and the frequency of adverse events. A total of 33 RCTs involving 4,321 patients were identified. Overall, probiotics significantly improved global IBS symptoms compared to placebos (standardised mean difference = -0.32, 95% confidence interval -0.48 to -0.15; P less then 0.001), with significant heterogeneity between studies (I 2 = 72%; P less then 0.001). This remained apparent in both single- and multi-strain probiotic interventions as well as synbiotic formulations. However, evidence regarding prebiotics was scarce. There were no significant inter-group differences in terms of the frequency of adverse events. Future RCTs should address methodological limitations, including short follow-up periods and patient adherence. © Copyright 2020, Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, All Rights Reserved.The association between breastfeeding and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is controversial. However, several recent studies have established a link between these two factors, necessitating a need to review this subject to raise public awareness. Current research indicates that breast milk contains a variety of bioactive substances including immunoglobulins, oligosaccharides, insulin, lactoferrin, lysozyme, cytokines, epidermal growth factors, leukocytes, nucleotides, beneficial bacteria and vitamins. Such substances strengthen the breastfeeding infant's immune system, both directly, by increasing gut microbiota diversity and attacking harmful bacteria and pro-inflammatory molecules, and indirectly, by increasing thymus performance. Accordingly, a lack of or inadequate breastfeeding may predispose infants to several autoimmune disorders, including T1DM. Nursing mothers and caregivers are therefore advised to follow optimal breastfeeding practices prior to introducing complementary foods. © Copyright 2020, Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, All Rights Reserved.Poliomyelitis, also known as polio, is a highly infectious viral disease, predominantly affecting children under five years old. The virus is transmitted from person-to-person and mainly spreads through the fecal-oral route. The virus multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system via the bloodstream, potentially causing paralysis. Polio symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness and pain in the limbs. The disease causes permanent paralysis in one out of 200 infections. Currently, there is no cure for polio; it can only be prevented by immunisation.1. © Copyright 2020, Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, All Rights Reserved.