Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Kuwait among male patients with sexually transmitted diseases

To determine HIV/AIDS prevalence among the non-Kuwaiti male patients with sexually transmitted disease [STD] attending the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh Special Health Care Clinic and to suggest relevant preventive programs. A sentinel surveillance was carried among all non-Kuwaiti male STD patients attending the Special Health Care Clinic in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh during the period of June to November 1997. The data was recorded on a pre-coded questionnaire. No HIV/AIDS case was found among the 599 screened STD patients. The 599 patients were predominantly Asians [51.8%] and Arabs [44.6%]. The majority of the subjects [70%] were in the 15-34 age group, were married [66%], had a primary/junior level of education [62%], were laborers [52.3%], had a low socio-economic status [91%], and lived in the Farwaniya Govemorate [97%]. The most common STDs were Gonorrhea [37%] and a combination of STDs [31%]. A large majority [88%] reported sexual contact with female prostitutes inside Kuwait. The absence of any HIV positive case was probably due to the mandatory screening required before the granting of a residency permit in Kuwait which, in turn, facilitates early detection of virus carriers among expatriates. This screening makes the possibility of the circulation of HIV within Kuwait remote. The data on sexual practices shows female prostitutes to be the reported sexual partners [88%], despite the fact that prostitution is illegal in Kuwait. The study found most STDs were associated with low socio-economic groups comprised of laborers with a low level of education who were probably unaware of the means of protection against the virus. Close monitoring and surveillance is necessary to prevent groups with risky behaviors from contracting the virus through sexual transmission. There is a distinct need to develop public education and awareness programs to serve as measures of prevention and protection

Sexually transmitted diseases in Kuwait: current status and recommendations for control

The prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases [STDs] in Kuwait has been reported among both Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis, often leading to serious complications. This paper attempts to review the existing status of the disease, the ministerial regulations for STD control, the extent of compliance with reporting requirements, and above all management deficiencies, so as to be able to suggest recommendations for instituting an effective mechanism for STD management, prevention and control in Kuwait. Recent data from the Family Planning Department show an overall increase in syphilis from 2.3/100,000 population in 1992, to 7.0/100,000 in 1995. Increasing trends have also been observed with regard to gonorrhea, non. specific urethritis and genital herpes. However, being confined to only one source, these statistics provide a limited view of the STDs actual prevalence in Kuwait. Most cases go unrecognized because of inadequate or lack of notification, management limitation and the fear of social stigma concerning STDs, which prevent most patients from seeking medical advice. In addition, the accessibility of STD drugs without prescription from pharmacies in violation of the legal regulations raises questions about the implementation of the law, and its ineffective enforcement. An effective STD control strategy together with a refined and vigilant management, and a more vigorous notification programme appear to be an urgent requirement in order to reverse the increasing trend in STD morbidity and mortality in Kuwait and accelerate the process of STD prevention and control

Acute myocardial infarction in Kuwait: Current status and recommendations for prevention

This report presents the current situation of acute myocardial infarction [AMI] in Kuwait revealing the ongoing programmes, weaknesses of the present strategies and recommends measures for its prevention. Mortality due to AMI among the Kuwaiti population continues to remain high [37% out of total ischaemic heart disease mortality in 1994] and is the main cause of cardiovascular deaths [CVD] in Kuwait. Statistics for the years 1989,1992 and 1993 revealed CVD, neoplasms and traffic accidents to be the first three causes of death. The hospital discharge rate for AMI for the age group 20 years and above has increased among Kuwaitis, while a decrease was seen in non-Kuwaitis. By gender, approximately three times more male than female AMI discharges have been observed. Patients attending the Cardiology Department at the Chest Diseases Hospital also showed a significant linear trend towards an increase in the inpatients from 37.1% out of total in-patients in 1983 to 62.2% in 1994 [p<0.0001]. This report also focuses upon the extent of AMI risk factors in the population e.g. smoking, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and recommends emphasis upon studies to unreveal the role of any new existing AMI risk factors such as stress due to the Iraqi invasion. This information provides the fundamental basis to evolve strategic programmes for AMI risk-reduction, build a standardized information resource, and evolve a unified approach for disease management and prevention for the country as a whole

Hypertension trial in a non Western Country: Kuwait hypertension intervention programme [KHIP]

A controlled randomized clinical trial was performed in the state of Kuwait during the period December 1983 through July 1984. It was designed and conducted to test the following hypothesis: compared to the usual care, specialized care clinics for hypertension control are more effective in reducing diastolic blood pressure [DBP]. A total of 261 participants, 30-65 years of age with baseline DBP of 95mmHg or over were recruited for this study. Testing for the major relevant confounding variables indicated that both intervention groups were comparable. Change in DBP in the specialized care group was 18.3mmHg compared to 13.7mmHg for the usual care. This difference is statistically significant [p=0.00005]. The results of this study supported the hypothesis. The results were not affected by either selection or information biases and there was a meaningful difference between the two interventions in reducing the DBP