Prevalence and correlates of major chronic illnesses among older Kuwaiti nationals in two governorates

To provide community-based information on the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease and to highlight their significant correlates. Data were collected in a cross-sectional household survey of 2,487 Kuwaiti nationals aged 50 and over in 2005/2006. A Proportionately representative sample of 1,451 respondents from a relatively more urban area [Capital] and 1,036 respondents from a relatively less urban area [Ahmadi] were interviewed. A proxy respondent was used in 5.4% of cases. Among the 2,605 potentially eligible persons approached, 2,487 [95.5%] participated. Doctor-diagnosed prevalences of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease in the two governorates were reported to be 53.4, 50.6 and 17.5%, respectively. If the prevalence in the two governorates is reflective of the nation, a remarkable increase seems to have occurred since 1996, The prevalence of each of the three diseases increased linearly by age among both sexes. Comorbidity of the three diseases increased from 3.6 to 9.4 and to 20.9% among those aged 50-59, 60-69 and >/= 70 years, respectively. Logistic regression showed the prevalence of chronic illnesses to be significantly higher among persons who were older, retired, non-Bedouin, less educated, had higher income, were less socially active, were obese and had poorer exercise behavior. The prevalence of diabetes and heart disease was significantly lower among women than men. Judging from data on two gavernorates, the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease is likely to have increased to alarmingly high levels among older Kuwaitis, highlighting the need for focused intervention programs in order to reduce morbidity and increase healthy life years

Oral Health in Kuwait before the Gulf War

The aim of this oral health survey was to determine the oral health status and oral health behavior in the whole population in Kuwait. This survey was part of the Kuwait Health Survey, which was conducted by the Ministry of Public Health. The original data were destroyed during the Gulf War [1990/1991], but the aim of this report is to publish the main findings concerning oral health and related factors. Methodology: The data were collected between April 1984 and April 1985. The sample consisted of 3,358 households and 26,530 individuals. The survey consisted of interviews and clinical examinations [>12-year-olds]. WHO [1977] criteria were used for examinations. Females were more often brushing their teeth at least once a day than males and non-Kuwaitis slightly more often than Kuwaitis. Over one third [39%] had visited a dentist during the previous 12 months. The proportion of subjects with soft deposit was 66%, calculus 45%, intensive gingivitis 46% and advanced periodontitis 18%. The caries experience was prevalent [52%] in primary dentition [<8-year-olds] and in permanent dentition, highest [95%] among the 60- to 64-year-olds. Preventive programs for periodontal diseases and for dental caries are urgently needed. The coverage of curative care of both diseases also needs to be improved. Health behavior improvement should be targeted by oral health promotion activities

Towards defining socioeconomic and demographic inequalities that may affect health in Kuwait

The experience of several developed Western countries shows that mortality and health differences between socioeconomic groups continue to persist, and may even be increasing. However, there is no agreed upon, or 'standard' way of measuring socioeconomic status [SES]. In Kuwait questions pertaining to social inequalities in health, and accurate measurement of SES remain to be answered. This paper presents several ideas about the variables that should be examined to define SES. Characteristics of women residing in the most developed and least developed areas are compared to assess the range of inequality in the country. Except for literacy levels, large differences exist for most variables. Previous research and data do not provide a clear idea of any systematic difference in health by social class. This may be partially a result of weaknesses in measurement. The need for reliable data on outcome measures of health as well as indicators of social class is emphasized

Quality of birth notifications: Intervention based improvements in maternity hospital, Kuwait

Earlier research has shown that birth notification in Kuwait often have a high amount of missing data on many items such as weeks of gestation and complications of pregnancy. The situation has deteriorated even further since the Iraqi occupation. To rectify this situation in the Maternity Hospital, an evaluative management study was conducted. After collecting benchmark data for December 1992, certain administrative interventions to improve data completeness were made during January-March 1993. Data for April 1993 showed that only marginal improvements had occurred. Additional intervention were implemented during January-March 1994. Substantial improvements were realized as indicated by the decrease in the amount of missing data. For example, the percentage of missing data on week of gestation decreased from 91% in 1993 to 18% in 1994. However, it was found that while the required information was filled out on the labor room form, it was not transferred to the notification, as required. In light of the preceding findings, further efforts at improvement are currently under way

Patient perception of health and emergency room utilization before and after the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait

This paper analyzes whether patients visiting the Medical Emergency Rooms [ERs] perceive their general health to have deteriorated, improved or stayed the same one year before the Iraqi occupation and one year after the liberation. The paper also examines the impact of such perceptions on the utilization of an ER. Data were collected by means of a survey of the ER attendees in Kuwait's six general hospitals during January and February 1993. Sixty percent of the respondents perceived their health to have been better one year before the invasion, about 30% perceived no change, while 10% said their health had improved one year after the liberation. A significantly larger percentage of women and wealthier people perceived a deterioration. Regarding ER utilization, 56% reported at least one visit before and after the occupation. The average number of visits was 9.68 before the invasion and 10.09 after the liberation. Perception of health was not significantly associated with the number of visits

Excessive utilization of hospital emergency services in pre-occupation Kuwait: trends and differentials

During the 1980s, an astonishing increase in the use of hospital emergency rooms [ER] has occurred. Between 1975 and 1988, the number of ER visits increased from 9 per 100 persons to 63 per 100 persons. This trend has intensified following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. Excessive utilization of the ER is considered a serious problem by both health planners and policy makers. Through analysis of published reports and interviews with health administrators, the following major reasons for the high use of ER were identified: [1] short working hours of the primary health care [PHC] facilities; [2] patient's perceptions that hospital services are better than PHC; [3] the larger variety of diagnostic tests and medicines available in the hospital; [4] the ease of access to the hospital's ER facilitated by informal referrals through friends; [5] the accomodation accorded to Kuwaiti nationals by the doctors, the majority of whom are expatriate workers in Kuwait