Knowledge and factors affecting breast self-examination among Kuwaiti women

To determine the frequency of practicing breast self-examination [BSE] among Kuwaiti females and factors that may influence it Questionnaire based cross-sectional survey Multi-Ministries Compound, Kuwait Data was collected from 966 educated Kuwaiti female volunteers through a self-administered questionnaire. Data regarding the practice of BSE and factors influencing it Among the study sample 357 [37.0%] were practicing BSE. Their mean age was 31.6 +/- 8.8 years. The main reasons for not practicing BSE were fear of cancer discovery [13.5%], forgetfulness and failure to realize its importance [15.3%]. Moreover, 28.9% did not know the method of examination and 27.8% wished to learn. Only 21.6% reported that they did BSE practice on monthly basis. Women aged 20-29 years, married with middle income were insignificantly less likely to practice BSE than other categories. Students were more likely to practice BSE than working ladies [OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.7]. There was a lower possibility of practicing BSE among women receiving their knowledge from TV / radio, newspapers / magazines and friends / relatives than those receiving from doctors. Moreover, the possibility of not practicing BSE decreased if the main source of knowledge were friends/relatives, nurse, media/newspapers respectively compared to those with no source of information. The frequency of BSE is low. It appears that a health education and training program will improve the rate of correct BSE performance

Impact of adherence to Asthma management guidelines in asthmatic patients: a primary healthcare center study

To study the effect of adherence to asthma management guidelines on the control of asthma symptoms and the results of peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR] in asthmatic patients Cross sectional study Asthma clinic at Khalidiya Health Care Center A convenience sample of 162 asthmatic Kuwaiti patients aged between four and 83 years were interviewed through a structured questionnaire. Out of 162 patients, 140 participants [86.4%] reported not using controller medication. One hundred and five participants [64.8%] fit in the category of uncontrolled asthma. Only 21 participants [13.0%] were on controller medication prior to the study. All participants who were on controller treatment, got their prescription by a specialist. The difference between the two proportions was significant at p < 0.0001. Of the 162 participants, only 28 cases [17.3%] did not require alteration of their management plan. The remaining 134 participants required changes to their original management plan either by adjusting the dose of their medication or adding controller medication in the form of separate or combined therapy. There was a significant improvement in the PEFR after applying the new management plan with median of actual PEFR 350 in comparison to 390 two weeks later, after applying the new management plan [p < 0.001]. Despite evidence that adherence to asthma management guideline improves outcome, general practitioners are reluctant to prescribe controller medication