Utilization patterns of community nursing health services in coping with population aging in Oman: a retrospective observational study

Idris Aal Jumaa1, Mohammed Al Ghafri1, Nahid Al-Jameel1, Jokha Al Sa’idi1, Salah Al Awaidy2, *

1 Directorate General of Health Services and Programs, Primary Health Care, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman

2 Freelance Public Health Consultant, Ex Ministry of Health, Oman, Muscat, Oman

*Correspondence to: Salah Al Awaidy, salah.awaidy@gmail.com.

Abstract

Community nursing services are crucial for meeting the healthcare needs of Oman's diverse and aging population, particularly in geographically remote areas. This study aimed to assess the impact of these services on key health indicators and healthcare utilization across various governorates, with a focus on the older population. A retrospective observational analysis was conducted using data from 5,232 patients enrolled in Community Nursing Services between January 1 and December 31, 2023. Data were sourced from the Shifa 3+ electronic health system of the Oman Ministry of Health. The study evaluated program coverage, referral patterns, prevalence of health conditions, functional status, and registration dynamics using descriptive statistics and visualizations. The findings revealed significant variations in patient engagement across governorates. For example, female patients accounted for 62% of care-seeking individuals in Dakhiliyah compared to 38% in North Batinah. Type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension were the most common diagnoses, with females representing 64% of diabetes and 68% of hypertension cases in Muscat. Nursing care accounted for 100% of recorded visits. Gender disparities were evident, with females comprising 65% of health center transfers, 57% of readmissions, and 63% of patients assessed but not admitted. Mortality rates also varied by gender, with females representing 66% of deaths in Dakhiliyah. Regions with coordinated resources and balanced staffing reported higher efficiency and patient satisfaction, while others faced unmet demand or underutilization. These disparities highlight the need for data-driven planning to improve resource distribution and ensure equitable healthcare access across governorates. The results suggest that community care services play a vital role in health management in Oman, particularly in addressing chronic diseases and functional decline in the older population.

阿曼社区护理服务在应对老龄化社会中的资源优化分配模式：回顾性观察研究

摘要

随着全球人口老龄化加剧，老年人群的健康需求日益增加，尤其是在阿曼这样地理分布广泛的国家。社区护理服务在疾病预防、健康促进和慢性病管理中发挥着关键作用，特别是在应对与年龄相关的健康问题方面。阿曼的老年人口预计到2040年将占总人口的11.80%，因此，社区护理服务在满足老年人群的健康需求方面显得尤为重要。阿曼卫生部自2004年起实施了社区护理计划，旨在通过家庭访问、健康教育和综合评估等方式，为老年人和行动不便的患者提供持续护理。此回顾性观察研究旨在评估阿曼社区护理服务的使用模式及其对健康指标的影响，特别是在老年人群中的效果。研究通过分析2023年1月1日至12月31日期间5232例患者的电子健康记录，探讨了社区护理服务的覆盖率、转诊模式、健康状况和功能状态等关键领域。结果显示，阿曼各地区的社区护理服务激活率存在显著差异，达希拉地区的健康中心激活率为100%，而北沙奇亚地区仅为61%。女性患者占多数，尤其是在糖尿病和高血压等慢性病的诊断中，女性患者比例显著高于男性。护理服务主要集中在糖尿病和高血压的管理上，女性患者在这些疾病的护理中占据了较大比例。此外，研究还发现，资源协调和人员配备平衡的地区服务效率更高，而一些地区则面临需求未满足或服务利用不足的问题。这些结果表明，社区护理服务在阿曼的健康管理中发挥了重要作用，特别是在应对老年人群的慢性病和功能衰退方面。然而，地区间的服务差异和性别不平等问题仍需解决。未来的研究应进一步探讨如何优化资源分配，特别是在老年人群中推广预防性护理和健康教育，以提高整体健康水平。