I would like to express my sincere thanks to all people in Sweden and Oman, who collaborated with me in the research that has led to this thesis. Several persons need special thanks:
The staff at the Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Global Health (IHCAR) for the provision of all necessary materials and equipments for the PhD studies.
H.E. Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi, the Minister of Health, Oman; H.E. Dr. Ali Al Hinai, the Undersecretary of Planning, MoH, and Dr. Ahmed Al-Qasmi, Director General of Planning and Chairman of Research and Ethical Review & Approve committee, for their kind support and encouragement.
Mr. Mohammed Al Afifi, advisor in the office of Undersecretary of Planning for his courtesy and kind support.
Special thanks to Dr. Fatma Al Ajmi, Dr. Qamra Al Sarirai, Dr. Thamra Al Ghafri, Ms.Laila Al Zidjali and Dr. Asya Al Riyami for their strong support and encouragement for completion of my PhD.
I would like to express my greatest gratitude to Dr. Naifeen Al-Lamki, the head of Bausher polyclinic, and Ms. Naifa Al-Lamki for generous support, encouragement, true friendship and for always being enthusiastic and helpful.
Deep thanks and appreciation to my main supervisor Rolf Wahlström, Associate Professor, for the proper guidance and for being kind, generous, supportive and creative. Thanks for your hospitality and courtesy.
Professor Claes-Göran Östenson, my Swedish co-supervisor, for being supportive, knowledgeable and for abundant decency.
Professor Katarina Hjelm for excellent supervision with talented comments.
Thanks for your genuine and fruitful support.
Associate Professor Mohammad Ali Al-Shafaee, my Omani co-supervisor, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, for giving me valuable comments, encouragement and support.
Professor Göran Tomson, the first person whom I contacted at IHCAR, for introducing me to the Health Systems and Policy Research Group. Thanks a lot for being encouraging and supportive.
Professor Vinod Diwan, for constant encouragement, support, understanding and kindness.
Associate Professor Marie Hasselberg for your humanity and for always being kind, nice and encouraging.
My special thanks to Dr. Solveig Freudenthal for generous support, friendliness, patience, and fruitful inputs in study II, and for providing me with valuable books.
Thanks Åsa Vernby for your productive efforts and statistical assistance.
My gratitude and deep thanks to Maissa Al-Adhami and Associate Professor Asli Kulane for being always supportive and empathized. You are really distinguished people.
Assistant Professor Abdullah Al-Maniri for your encouragement, good advices and genuine support.
Kersti Radmark, Amina, Gun-Britt, and Bo Planstedt for your kind assistant, ourtusy and support.
Dr. Mohsen Khan, Dr. Patricia Awiti and Dr. Ayesha Da Costa for the valuable comments during the early phase of my studies and for kind support.
Dr. Amani Abdulkhaliq, Dr. Abdullah Idress and the great mother of all, auntie Nafora, words cannot express my feelings to you. You are shining diamonds. You are special people on the earth.
Thanks Dr. Safia Satti and Dr. Naila Al-Braiki for your infinite support and true friendship.
Unlimited and great appreciation with deep thanks to auntie Khadija Abubakr Arbab, a unique person with golden heart. Special thanks to your warm family:
Dr. Ibtisam Elnoor, Dr. Kamal Elnoor and Manal Mustafa, Dr. Hussam Elnoor and Samah, Dr. Gamal Alnoor and Manal.
Thanks to my friends in Sweden and Oman: Anita Guilotte, Dr. Najat Abbas, Nada Jaffar, Mahasin and Dr. Samir Suleiman, auntie Afafa Sanhori and sweet Habab Maki, Dr. Maryiam Khusabi, Dr. Hala Zainalabedeen, Dr. Noora
Al-Hosni, Nada Al-Rahma, Dr. Hassan Al-Lawati, Jokha Al-Farsi, Azza and Obada, Dr. Kamal Yassin, Dr. Gada Najmaldeen and Abdulsalam, Dr. Othamn Yassin, Dr. Gamal Abushehab and his wonderful wife Dr. Hanan, Dr. Nazar Osman, Nagla Salim, Dr. Netta Beer, Nahala Obaid, Rabab Idress and Hind Eliadarous for your encouragement and real amity.
Special thanks to Nadia Khair, Director Sustainable Development Research Program, the Research Council of Oman, for kindness and courtesy and for being a genuine friend all the way.
Exceptional thanks and deep gratitude to Dr. Gerry D’ Costa for unlimited kindness, understanding, patience and support. Many thanks and deep appreciation.
My nice colleagues and friends at work place: Professor Mahmoud Attia, Dr.
Munes Alshishtawi, Dr. Hayam Al-Riyami, Dr. Sanjay Jaju, Hilal Al-Kharusi, Nabil Al-Wahaibi, Magdi Morsi, Waleed Al-Shukaili, Redha Al- Hinai, Khulood Alaufi, Eman, Moza and Nada. Thanks for the friendly and encouraging environment. Special thanks to Dr.Mohammed Al-Riyami, nursing consultatnt.
Deep thanks to Mr. Saif Al-Nabhani, the Director of the private health care sector, for always being kind and supportive.
All my dear relatives in Stockholm, Germany, Canada, Sudan and Oman, for your support and courtesy, in particular: Dr. Abdulhadi and Fadia, Dr. Mohammad and Amira, Eman Kashif, Enas Kashif, Arwa Kashif, Manar Kashif. Dr. Tayser and Dr. Samir Kashif and Ms. Huda Abdulkareem, Wohda and Mabadi Sahrief.
Thanks James Elliott for enthusiasm and support.
My mother-in-law Saida Albasha, Mohammad Jaffar and Sulafa, Murtada Jaffar and Samia Gasim, for being kind and supportive. Thanks Madina Elkhalifa, Mohammed A. Altayeb and Lubna for being kind, caring and encouraging.
My deepest gratitude to all my beloved sisters and their spouses, my beloved brothers, for being compassionate, supportive and for always being there for me.
Bless you.
My wonderful husband Ibrahim Jaffar Elkhalifa for being always supportive and patient, for inspiration and encouragement, thank you for everything.