Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Kuwait”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,099 records · Page 61Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

The Arabic Scale of Death Anxiety (ASDA): its development, validation, and results in three Arab countries.

The Arabic Scale of Death Anxiety (ASDA) was constructed and validated in a sample of undergraduates (17-33 yrs) in 3 Arab countries, Egypt (n = 418), Kuwait (n = 509), and Syria (n = 709). In its final form, the ASDA consists of 20 statements. Each item is answered on a 5-point intensity scale anchored by 1: No, and 5: Very much. Alpha reliabilities ranged from .88 to .93, and item-remainder correlations ranged between .27 and .74; the 1-week test-retest reliability was .90 (Egyptians only), denoting high internal consistency and stability. The correlations between the ASDA and Templer's DAS ranged from .60 to .74 denoting high convergent validity of the ASDA against the DAS in the 3 Arab countries. Four factors were extracted in the Egyptian sample and labeled "Fear of dead people and tombs", "Fear of postmortem events", "Fear of lethal disease", and "death preoccupation". The first two factors were almost completely identical in the three countries. The item, "I fear the torture of the grave", had a very high mean score. There were significant correlations between the ASDA and death depression, death obsession, reasons for death fear, and general anxiety, depression, obsession-compulsion, neuroticism, and being a female. All female groups attained significantly higher mean ASDA scores than their male counterparts. Kuwaitis had higher mean ASDA total scores, in comparison with their Egyptian and Syrian counterparts, whereas female Syrians attained the lowest mean ASDA total score in proportion to their female peers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Single- versus multi-item scales in measuring death anxiety.

The author investigated the reliability and concurrent validity of a Likert-type single-item test asking for a self-rating of death anxiety in two Arabic countries: Egypt and Kuwait. A total of 1,439 participants were divided into 9 male and female subsamples and were tested by a single item of death anxiety, along with three psychometric multi-item instruments (i.e., Templer's Death Anxiety Scale, Thorson and Powell's Revised Death Anxiety Scale, and the Arabic Scale of Death Anxiety). The single- and multi-item scales had high reliabilities. All of the thirteen correlations between the single-item and the multi-item scales of death anxiety among men and women were statistically significant (p less than .001) and positive. They ranged from .30 to .66, with a median of .51. It was concluded that single-item assessment can be reliable across time (test-retest = .82) and that it correlates moderately with multi-item instruments.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Air pollutants emissions from waste treatment and disposal facilities.

This study examined the atmospheric pollution created by some waste treatment and disposal facilities in the State of Kuwait. Air monitoring was conducted in a municipal wastewater treatment plant, an industrial wastewater treatment plant established in a petroleum refinery, and at a landfill site used for disposal of solid wastes. Such plants were selected as models for waste treatment and disposal facilities in the Arabian Gulf region and elsewhere. Air measurements were made over a period of 6 months and included levels of gaseous emissions as well as concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Samples of gas and bioaerosols were collected from ambient air surrounding the treatment facilities. The results obtained from this study have indicated the presence of VOCs and other gaseous pollutants such as methane, ammonia, and hydrogen sulphide in air surrounding the waste treatment and disposal facilities. In some cases the levels exceeded the concentration limits specified by the air quality standards. Offensive odors were also detected. The study revealed that adverse environmental impact of air pollutants is a major concern in the industrial more than in the municipal waste treatment facilities but sitting of municipal waste treatment and disposal facilities nearby the urban areas poses a threat to the public health.

Aerosols↗
PubMed2003

Performance-based characterization of a contact stabilization process for slaughterhouse wastewater.

This paper evaluates the effluent treatment plant of a slaughterhouse in Hawalli City, Kuwait processing 1100 heads of livestock a day. Results indicated that the proposed process effectively reduces pollution potential of slaughterhouse wastewater. Influent Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) ranged from 3335 to 7580 mg L(-1), of which approximately 30% were in the form of suspended solids (SS). Removal efficiency was 77% for soluble COD and 82% for insoluble COD, at a volumetric load of 1.8 kg COD m(-3) d(-1). Values obtained for the biokinetic coefficients, floc uptake (FU), substrate removal efficiency (SRE), specific reaction rate (RR), maximum reaction rate (Rm) and Yield (Y) of the contact tank were higher than the range of values reported for other continuously fed activated sludge systems. In contrast to the contact tank, the aeration basin biokinetic coefficients were within the range of values reported. Contact process testing demonstrated that controlling solid recirculation to maintain a contact loading of about 120-150 mg COD g(-1) VSS in the contact tank generally resulted in high SRE. RR, Rm, and also in good settleability as indicated by SVIs being consistently below 150 mL g(-1). In the other hand, higher contact loadings of more than 150 mg COD g(-1) VSS. resulted in a significant deterioration in SRE, RR, Rm, and SVIs.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2005

Variations in hospital waste quantities and generation rates.

The relationship between public health and improper collection, handling, and disposal of solid wastes in general, and hospital wastes in particular, is quite clear. Hazardous and nonhazardous wastes generated from different divisions of two of the largest public hospitals (capacity of approximately 400 beds each) in Kuwait were quantified and generation rates were determined. The generation rates were related to some important factors such as the number of patients, number of beds, and the type of activity conducted in different sections of the hospitals. The relationship between the waste generation rate and the number of patients was more applicable than that expressed in terms of the number of beds. The rates observed were in the range of 4.89 to 5.4 kg/patient/day, which corresponds to 3.65 to 3.97 kg/bed/day, respectively. These generation rates were comparable with those reported in the literature for similar hospitals. Minimal waste quantities were collected in the weekends. The study indicated that the hospitals surveyed provide some segregation of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes. Hazardous wastes contributed about 53% of the total quantity of wastes generated at the hospitals.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1987

Children with acute rheumatic fever and acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis and their families in a subtropical zone: a three-year prospective comparative epidemiological study.

Over a period of three years (December 1980 through November 1983) the incidence and epidemiological features of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (AGN) were studied prospectively in two regional hospitals in Kuwait serving a childhood population of 225,000. The study included 146 children with ARF and 256 family members and 125 children with AGN and 199 family members. The annual incidence of ARF and AGN were 19.6 and 17.8 respectively per 100,000 childhood population (7.3 and 6.7 respectively per 100,000 total population). Both diseases occurred sporadically throughout the year with a similar peak in winter. The clinical profile of ARF was essentially similar to that reported from temperate climates, and AGN followed mainly throat infections. Microscopic haematuria was detected in ten ARF family members (4%) and in 20 AGN family members (10%). Haematuria and low C3 were found in two (0.8%) and in seven (3.5%) ARF and AGN family members respectively. Of the nine family members with subclinical nephritis the group C streptococcus was isolated from three (33%). The geometric mean titre (GMT) of antistreptolysin O (ASO) and of antihyaluronidase (AH) in ARF and AGN patients were markedly elevated. Although the median age of ARF and AGN family members were 13 and 15 years respectively, yet the GMT of ASO and AH in the family members were slightly higher than those of the normal childhood population.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Mimicking the high levels of activity of a large in-vitro fertilization unit leads to early success at the commencement of an in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer programme.

Infertile couples seeking treatment will endeavour to obtain the highest standards of care at a conveniently located centre. The success rated of a centre would also be an important concern. The busier in-vitro fertilization (IVF) units (> 400 cycles per year) have substantially higher pregnancy rates than those carrying out < 300 cycles per year. We report our experiences at the IVF centre, Maternity Hospital, Kuwait of mimicking the high level of activity of a large IVF unit. Infertile couples were treated in groups of 30-35 every 4-6 weeks. Patients in each group had menstrual cycles synchronized to their luteal phase using progestogens. Thereafter they were down-regulated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (long protocol). Oocyte retrieval and embryology activities were concentrated and completed in 7-10 days in each group. This episodic high level of activity was aimed at mimicking that of a busy large IVF centre, although continuous in the latter. The overall results in terms of fertilization cleavage, implantation and clinical pregnancy rates were similar to those obtained in large IVF units. The clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was 25.8-39.1% in IVF and 46.1% in intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Bacterial meningitis in the newborn: a Kuwaiti experience.

Forty-five neonates with bacterial meningitis admitted to a regional hospital in Kuwait over a 5-year period are reported. The attack rate was 6.7/10,000 live births. Listeria monocytogenes was the most common bacteria isolated (31 per cent), followed by Streptococcus agalactiae (15 per cent), and Escherichia coli (11 per cent). Gram negative pathogens constituted 38 per cent of the total. Ten patients died (22 per cent) and 10 (28 per cent of the survivors) developed severe neurological sequelae.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1996

Laboratory diagnosis of acute lower respiratory tract viral infections in children.

This report summarizes and compares the results of complement fixation test (CFT), virus isolation (VI), and direct immunofluorescence test (DIF) for the antigen detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A virus (Flu A), and adenovirus in 62 children with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) in Kuwait. It includes, as well, CFT results for parainfluenza virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Combining the three methods, a potential causative agent was identified in 56 (90 per cent) children, of whom 14 (22 per cent) had evidence of infection with more than one pathogen. RSV was most frequently identified followed by Flu A, parainfluenza, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and adenovirus. Virus isolation proved the best method for identification of RSV, Flu A, and adenovirus [identified 52 (84 per cent) cases]. DIF was sensitive for RSV detection (sensitivity 84 per cent, specificity 94 per cent), and less sensitive for Flu A (sensitivity 62 per cent, specificity 98 per cent). However, DIF was completely insensitive to adenovirus (no positives). CFT was positive for the five pathogens in 44 (71 per cent) of the population studied; therefore, almost 20 per cent of positive identifications would have been missed if VI and DIF were not done. The sensitivity and specificity of CFT for RSV, adenovirus and Flu A were 71, 75, and 31 per cent, and 94, 96, and 94 per cent, respectively. Based on the results of this pilot study, it appears that a combination of the three tests yields the best rate of virus detection. Cell culture cannot be discarded for the identification of some respiratory viruses, especially adenovirus, until better techniques, or more sensitive reagents are applied. However, since RSV is the virus most commonly involved in children with ALRI, we recommend using DIF on routine basis for diagnosis. Its results compare well with virus isolation; it is simple, rapid, and inexpensive.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1982

Assessment of radium-226 in two cases of radium luminizers using whole-body counting.

Two technicians from Kuwait working in dial painting were measured by the Egyptian A.E.E. whole-body counter in order to assess radium luminizers' activity and the corresponding dose delivered. In this case, the fraction of radon built up in the body had expired and the quoted values of radium were obtained by the measured content of 214Bi. Also, two normal persons from the same area having the same body build were measured to assess their levels of 137Cs and potassium to be taken as background for the incorporated persons. In spite of the decrease in radium-226 activity with time, there was an increase of the activity of its products which led to the increase of the assessed dose. The dose estimated have been calculated after 50 yr representing the life span of the individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Arabic children's pain descriptions.

A convenience sample of 60 children, aged five to 12 years, reporting to Kuwait government hospital emergency departments was studied. All were native Arabic speakers. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic usefulness of the pain information provided by children and by accompanying adults when interviewed under standard emergency department conditions. Children were asked to describe their current pain and how it had changed and to signify pain intensity using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). Comparable data were then collected from the accompanying adult. Senior clinicians rated these verbal and VAS descriptions for their usefulness in arriving at a diagnosis. Most children provided useful pain information. Mothers received consistently higher scores for their VAS descriptions than their children did; otherwise, the pain data provided by adults were not judged to be significantly more useful. When clinicians and teachers were asked to differentiate which data they thought had been provided by a child and which by the accompanying adult, nearly half of their decisions were wrong.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of nursing care on overall patient satisfaction and its predictive value on return-to-provider behavior: a survey study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the extent of patient satisfaction with care provided at the hospital at all levels and to correlate patients' satisfaction with nursing care, in particular, with their overall satisfaction. Also, to assess the predictive value of patient satisfaction on subsequent return to the hospital. DESIGN: A survey study of a random sample of 420 inpatients to determine the extent of their satisfaction with the overall care provided at the hospital. SETTING: A 110-bed private hospital in Kuwait, January 1-March 31, 2004. RESULTS: The extent of overall patient satisfaction with the quality of care provided at the hospital was found to be quite high (Excellent, 74.7%; Very good, 23.7%). Individually, nursing care received the maximum patient satisfaction ratings (Excellent, 91.9%; Very good, 3.9%). A positive correlation (r = 0.31, P = .01) was noted between patients' perception of nursing care and their overall satisfaction with the health care provided at the hospital. Significant positive correlation (r = 0.36, P = .01) was also found between overall patient satisfaction and their reported intentions of returning and recommending the hospital to others. CONCLUSIONS: Patient satisfaction surveys can be of great value to health care providers not only in recognizing and improving the quality of care, but also as predictors of return-to-provider behavior of the patients. Overall patient satisfaction is linked with quality nursing care, which, in turn, depends on the quality of leadership practiced at the institution. Transformational leadership behavior promotes nurse satisfaction, which adds to their work effectiveness and motivates them to provide quality patient care.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1998

The autosomal recessive congenital intrauterine infection-like syndrome of microcephaly, intracranial calcification, and CNS disease: report of another Bedouin family.

We describe a Bedouin family with the rare autosomal recessive infection-like syndrome of microcephaly, intracranial calcification and CNS disease that has so far been documented in only eight families including one from Kuwait. In the present family, the female proband had congenital microbrachycephaly, hypertonia, early-onset tonic-clonic seizures, a palpable liver and mild pulmonary stenosis. Follow-up examination of the girl identified delayed developmental milestones while head CT scan revealed partial agenesis of the corpus callosum, brain atrophy, dilated ventricles and scattered calcific foci in the caudate nuclei, the thalami, and the periventricular white matter. The possibility of intrauterine TORCH infection was excluded by the negative results of repeated immunovirology study and by the failure to recover viral inclusions in urine cultures. The proband had three apparently affected cousins with spasticity and CT findings of microcephaly and intracranial calcification. Other previously documented cases with the congenital intrauterine infection-like syndrome are reviewed.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1999

Violence against doctors: 1. A study of violence against doctors in accident and emergency departments.

The risk of violence directed at health care professionals in their working environment has aroused widespread concern in recent years. Clinical areas most associated with violence are accident and emergency departments, psychiatry, and general practice. Surveyed physicians reported rates of violence against them to vary from 54% to 79%. Violence, however, is difficult to quantify and there is wide variation between the severity of incidents recorded by different workers. This study was an attempt to measure the incidence and the severity of violence against doctors in accident and emergency departments in Kuwait. Eighty-seven (86%) out of 101 of our doctors reported having experienced verbal insults or imminent threat of violence; in addition, 28% had also experienced physical attacks, and 7% had experienced physical assaults likely to have caused serious or fatal injury. Similarly, out of a total of 781 violent incidents reported by our doctors, 73 involved physical attacks, and eight involved physical assaults likely to have caused serious or fatal injury.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Violence against doctors: 2. Effects of violence on doctors working in accident and emergency departments.

There is abundant evidence to suggest that doctors are increasingly being exposed to violent incidents at their workplace. The possible effects of aggression on an individual are varied and likely to depend on the severity and frequency of episodes and the perceived vulnerability to further episodes. The reported sequaelae of violent incidents towards doctors include varied psychological disturbances, and changes in behaviour, such as increasing prescribing, ongoing fear of violence at work, and poor staff morale. We investigated the effects of violence against doctors in the accident and emergency departments in Kuwait. Seventy-five (86%) out of 87 doctors exposed to violent incidents reported one or more of the symptoms consisting of: depression, reliving experience (flashbacks), insomnia, and taking 'time off'. The effects lasted for more than 4 weeks in 25, for 3-4 weeks in 17, and for 2-3 weeks in 21. The duration of symptoms was longer in doctors exposed to verbal insults or threats of imminent violence coupled with incidents involving single acts of violence. Out of a total of 101 doctors; 90 (89%) remained worried about violence at work and 72 (71%) thought training to deal with potentially violent situations would be useful.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The Arabian Gulf University College of Medicine and Medical Sciences: a successful model of a multinational medical school.

In the late 1970s, leaders of the Arabian [corrected] Gulf countries proposed a novel idea of a joint educational and cultural venture: establishing a new regional university based in the Kingdom of Bahrain that would be managed as a multinational consortium of Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain. It was intended to promote higher education and research in the Gulf region; to serve the development needs of the region; to reflect the unique economic, social, and cultural attributes of the Gulf communities and their environments; and to respond to the health care needs of the member countries. Since its inception in 1982, the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences (CMMS) at Arabian Gulf University (AGU) has adopted the educational philosophy of problem-based learning (PBL) and self-directed, student-centered education. The curriculum is integrated, with early introduction of education to foster clinical skills and professional competencies. The strategic alliance with the health care systems in Bahrain and other Gulf regions has created a successful model of efficient and effective initialization of health care resources in the community. The experience that has accumulated at the AGU-CMMS from introducing innovative medical education has allowed it to take a leadership position in medical education in the Gulf region. The original goals of this unique experiment have been realized along with unanticipated outcomes of spearheading changes in medical education in the Gulf region. Old and new medical schools have adopted several characteristics of the AGU educational program. Several elements contributed to its success: a clear vision of providing quality medical education and realizing and sustaining this vision by a supportive leadership at the university and college levels; an alliance with the regional health care systems; a dedicated faculty who have been able to work as a team while continually developing themselves; proper student selection and the creation of a culture of student/faculty partnerships in education and in building an international reputation and credibility by cooperating with reputable international universities and organizations.

Bahrain↗
PubMed1994

HLA antigens in Arabs with lichen planus.

We have HLA typed 50 Arab patients with cutaneous lichen planus who were resident in Kuwait and then compared the antigen incidence with 100 normal controls. There were no significant differences in the antigens of the HLA-ABC loci but there was a significant increase in HLA-DR1 (P = 0.0018, RR = 3.68) and HLA-DR10 (P. corr. = 0.00096, RR = 8.27) and a significant decrease in HLA DR5 (P. corr. = 0.0396, RR = 0.18). The relevance of these findings to earlier reports on lichen planus in which HLA-DR1 (but not DR10) is increased is discussed. This is the first report of HLA antigen frequency in Arab patients with lichen planus, and would support the fact that HLA DR1 is universally associated with the disease, although the more significant association appears to be with HLA-DR10.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Training of Kuwaiti medical doctors and their specialty choices: sociocultural impact.

Kuwait has a comprehensive and well-structured health care system. However, to deliver such care the country relies on expatriate medical doctors. This paper attempts to discuss the sociocultural influences on the training of Kuwaiti medical doctors and their specialty choices in order to gauge future requirements of the Kuwaiti Health Services.

Career Choice↗