Epidemiological, clinical, and biochemical profile of type 2 diabetes in Kuwait

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is considered as one of the major public health problems in Kuwait. Many factors affect the standard of health care and achieving preset specific targets particularly patients' practice and utilization of health care facilities. The current study was formulated to describe the epidemiological features of type 2 diabetics and to reveal the common complications of type 2 diabetics as well as the extent of achieving the intended medical care targets. The study design is a cross sectional descriptive one whereas 64] type 2 diabetics were randomly selected from 5 diabetes health centers that represent the five health regions of Kuwait. The results of the study showed that the mean age of the studied population was 54.3 +/- 10.4 years, with almost equal proportions for males and females [49.9% and 50.1%]. Only 31.3% could achieve the targeted fasting blood glucose level while just 19% could achieve the targeted Hb[A1c]. level. Also, 14% could demonstrate a "good" body mass index. The majority were adherent to regular use of drugs [85.5%] and regularly visiting the diabetes center [80%]. Only 17.3% were practicing moderate physical activity while 6.2% were self monitoring their blood glucose and 29.3% were testing blood for glucose at home. Those suffering from cardiovascular complications constituted 31.2% of the sample while 11.5% were suffered from nephropathy and 32.4% from peripheral neuropathy. Retinopathy was detected among 32.1% while vascular lower limb complications were revealed among 43.6%. In general, the available medical resources and facilities need to be more and properly utilized. More effort is needed to achieve the targeted health care levels

Mothers' knowledge, fears and self-management of fever: a cross-sectional study from the capital governorate in Kuwait

To survey mothers about their knowledge concerning fever in children, how they manage it at home, what their fears of fever are and to study the relationship between mothers knowledge and fear with the educational level and number of children. Primary health care clinics in the capital health region in Kuwait. Five hundred and twenty accompanying mothers of feverish children. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey. 34.8% of mothers would recognize fever by the general appearance of the child, 32.6% by touching the child; one third [32.6%] would measure the temperature. More than 60% use digital thermometers, 15.7% would use mercury thermometers. The association between the educational level of mothers and method used to measure the temperature was statistically significant [p < 0.05]. The most common site mothers use for measuring temperature of a child less than 3 years was the armpit [57.3%]. The majority of mothers [81.6%] believed that teething can cause fever in children. Approximately 60% of all mothers believed that an untreated fever could lead to convulsions. The association between perceived consequences of fever and level of education was statistically highly significant [p < 0.005]. A significant association was also found between perceived consequences of fever and number of children [p < 0.05]. Doctors should spend enough time with mothers attending a feverish child, explaining and answering their queries about fever, and providing adequate information that might allay their fear and promote an appropriate fever management at home