Knowledge of, Attitudes toward, and Practices regarding Indoor Pollution at Kuwait University

Despite the increasing recognition of the importance of indoor air pollution, there have been few attempts to delineate the knowledge of and attitudes towards indoor air pollution, as well as the use of said knowledge and the effect of the attitudes on practice. This study sought to measure these attributes in a representative sample of students and teachers at Kuwait University using a self-administered questionnaire. Overall, the mean values for knowledge and attitudes were 7.88/19 and 3.89/5 respectively, indicating low knowledge and sub-optimal attitudes. The mean value for polluting practices was rather high at 1.05/2. Disappointingly, these results are very similar to those obtained in the previous surveys. Newspapers and magazines (65.8%) were the main source of information, followed by radio and television (62.4%). Teachers were significantly (p < 0.001) more knowledgeable and less likely to engage in polluting practices as compared to the students. Females scored significantly higher (p p < 0.001) more likely to engage in polluting practices. Participants in colleges of Education and Sharia scored significantly (p < 0.05) higher in knowledge compared to those in Medicine and Allied Health, as well as Science and Engineering disciplines. However, the latter were also significantly more likely (p < 0.001) to engage in polluting practices than Medicine and Allied Health, and Law and Arts students. Participants in Medicine and Allied Health scored significantly lower (p < 0.001) on the attitude scale than those in Law and Arts, Education and Sharia, Social Science and Business Administration, and Science and Engineering. A significant Pearson correlation (0.314, p < 0.001) was found between knowledge and attitude. Similarly, a significant negative correlation (&#8722;0.067, p < 0.05) was observed between attitudes and engaging in polluting practices. Further research into the dynamics that influences the decision on whether to engage in polluting practices is needed. Also another survey is needed which includes people who are outside the high level education field and make the comparison.

Comparison Study on Sedimentomorphological Characteristics Using Integrated Geo-Techniques: A Case Study of Two Representative Areas in Kuwait

Intensive aeolian processes occur due to the scarcity of rainfall and lack of vegetation cover in arid regions. The study of recent surface sediments in arid areas is important for environmental assessments, evaluation of natural resources, and land use planning. In this study, two areas were chosen as they show changes in lithology, environment and landforms. The two study areas are Al-Rawdatain in the northern part, and Al-Managish in the southern part of Kuwait. The current study aims to define the sedimentomorphic zones in these areas, with an emphasis on Quaternary geomorphological evolution by providing an integrated approach based on satellite images, topographic maps, field measurements, and laboratory analysis. Remote sensing data were spatially analyzed to classify and detect the temporal changes in the surface sediments and geomorphology based on the field measurements (n = 42) as ground truthing points for supervising the classification. Samples from both areas were collected and subjected to grain size (dry mechanical sieving) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. The resulting data were statistically analyzed for grain size distributions and mineralogy based on the US standard set of sieves. The study found that the Aeolian sand sheet deposits are the most frequent recent surface deposits in Kuwait and cover most of the other sediments. The direction of movement of the sand sheets is from NW towards SE. The mineralogical composition of the aeolian recent surface sediments revealed that they are mostly derived from the Dibdibba Formation and Tigris-Euphrates fluvial terrace deposits. Quartz is the most frequent component of the studied surface sediments in the study areas (66%). The calcite mineral is also found in subordinate amounts in the study areas (10%).

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation knowledge and attitude among general dentists in Kuwait

BACKGROUND: Dentists as health care providers should maintain a competence in resuscitation. This cannot be overemphasized by the fact that the population in our country is living longer with an increasing proportion of medically compromised persons in the general population. This preliminary study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of general dentists towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR).METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 licensed general dental practitioners working in ministry of health. Data were obtained through electronic self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic data of general dentists, and their experience, attitude and knowledge about CPR based on the 2010 American Heart Association guidelines update for CPR.RESULTS: Totally 208 general dentists took part in the present study giving a response rate of 83.2%. Only 36% of the participants demonstrated high knowledge on CPR, while 64% demonstrated low knowledge. Participants' age, gender, nationality, years of experience, career hierarchy, and formal CPR training were associated significantly with CPR knowledge. Almost all the participants(99%) felt that dentists needed to be competent in basic resuscitation skills and showed a positive attitude towards attending continuing dental educational programs on CPR.CONCLUSION: This study showed that majority of general dental practitioners in Kuwait had inadequate knowledge on CPR. It was also found that CPR training signi? cantly in? uenced the CPR knowledge of the participants. Therefore, training courses on CPR should be regularly provided to general dentists in the country.

The association of uric acid with metabolic syndrome among Kuwaiti adolescents

Background: The association between uric acid (UA) with metabolic syndrome (MS) has been researched more in adults than in adolescents. In fact, this association is not completely understood among adolescents. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the association between UA with MS. Methods: A cross-sectional sample of 742 Kuwaiti adolescents (303 males and 439 females) who were apparently healthy, chosen from randomly selected schools were used for the study;four intermediate (two males and two females) and four secondary (two males and two females) schools. Results: The results of the study showed the UA level was highly associated with MS, especially among males. UA was significantly associated with each of the six parameters of MS. Conclusions: The level of uric acid among the adolescent was high and it was significantly associated with MS and gender. Dietary interventions are necessary to reduce UA and the parameters of MS among the adolescents.

Socio-demographic and health-related determinants of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among male Kuwaiti adolescents aged 10 - 19 years

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the association between socio-demographic and health-related factors and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among male adolescents in Kuwait. Methods and Results: We used a cross sectional study with a sample of 303 male Kuwaiti adolescents of age 10 - 19 years, selected from intermediate and high schools. All had anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests. In addition, a questionnaire for the evaluation of the association of a variety of socio-demographic and health-related factors with MetS was given to participants for assessing these factors. The presence of the MetS was assessed in each subject using two validated criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program-Third Adult Treatment Panel Modified for age (NCEP-ATP III) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). We established that the prevalence of MetS by the ATP III and IDF criteria was respectively 9.8% and 11.7%. The educational level of both parents and factors such as weight, diet and physical activity associated significantly with the presence of MetS in Kuwaiti adolescents. Conclusions: The IDF gave higher values for the prevalence of MetS than the ATP III. Using either criterion, this information obtained in this study is important in planning strategies for prevention and control of this disorder.

The Effect of a Single Shrub on Wind Speed and Nabkhas Dune Development: A Case Study in Kuwait

Thirty coastal nabkhas were selected for morphometrical measurements. The studied nabkhas were mostly elongated, with an average total length of about 12.9 m, an average width of 3.4 m, and an average height of 1.2 m. Optical porosity of nabkha shrub crown was measured and no apparent relationship with the horizontal size of trapped wind laden sand was found. A simple wind tunnel experiment was carried out to investigate the horizontal wind-flow distribution across a pro-typed shrub. The results of the experiment revealed that the degree of wind sheltering might extend up to a downwind distance approximately equal to 4.5 times the height of the shrub, where an effective velocity recovery started.

Influence of Land Degradation on the Local Rate of Dust Fallout in Kuwait

The rate of dust fallout was monitored during a period from August 2009 to July 2011 in protected (closed) and non-protected/open (unenclosed) areas in the northern desert of Kuwait. The dust fallout rates on degraded and protected sites were on average 18.8 and 44.1 g·m-2·month-1, respectively. Higher rate of dust fallout in protected area may be attributed to biologic factors that are responsible for relative abundance of fine-grained sediment accumulations (Mostly silty sand). Wind deflation of fine grained sediment fractions and development of coarse-grained surface lag deposits in degraded area may be accountable for the reduction of its potentiality for suspended dust. The study indicates the importance of the vegetation cover in regulating sediment availability for atmospheric dust emission.

GIS as an Efficient Tool to Manage Educational Services and Infrastructure in Kuwait

The State of Kuwait Ministry of Education (MoE) has clearly defined land use standards for the location of public schools, and an inventory of reserved lands for future facilities. Unless, there is a geographical efficient tool to manage and plan the education system in a rapidly developing country such as Kuwait there will be huge deficit in such services. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used to fill in this gap and effectively evaluate and analyze their facilities and unoccupied lands to ensure they continue to meet the population and future needs of Kuwaiti students. This paper utilized the GIS to inventory, map, and analyze MoE facilities and unoccupied land reservations with a goal of improved planning and decision making. Unfortunately, the initial spatial analysis of the data showed huge percent of districts that have no schools failing to meet the minimum standard of the MoE including kindergartens, primary schools, intermediate schools for girls, intermediate schools for boys, secondary schools for girls and secondary schools for boys at 72%, 71%, 48%, 43%, 54%, and 55% respectively. Such critical results will enable the decision makers to prioritize the immediate action of relocation the schools or widen the services and accessibility. Moreover, the analysis of the data showed a critical and immediate need to reserve land for five districts where they are heavily populated and lacked reserved land. However, based on long term land use plans, there is an urgent need to relocate some land and reserve others to meet the future urbanization plans and population growth.

Assessment of Wastewater Reuse in Kuwait and Its Impact on Amounts of Pollutants Discharged into the Sea

Kuwait has recently implemented a vigorous campaign that aims to reclaim and reuse all treated wastewater in an at- tempt to alleviate water scarcity problem and to preserve seawater quality. This paper assesses the present status of wastewater treatment, reclamation and reuse in Kuwait, and discusses the impact of wastewater reuse on the amounts of pollutants discharged into the sea. Through analysis of the historical records of the wastewater treatment plants, it has been found that reuse of reclaimed wastewater in Kuwait has greatly reduced the amounts of pollutants discharged into the sea. Results showed that more than 50% reduction in volumes of wastewater discharged into the sea had been achieved from year 2000 to year 2010. However, this study has predicted that the amounts of wastewater discharged into the sea will start increasing again by the year 2020 due to shortages of storage capacity for reclaimed wastewater and due to the limitation of wastewater reuse applications to basically agricultural and landscape irrigations. In contrary, the on-going works and future plans of the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) are expected to overcome this problem and lead to a zero discharge of wastewater into the sea.

Age Related Changes in Physical Activity and Incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases in a Sample of Kuwaiti Adults

The incidence of major chronic Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) medically diagnosed or treated, was studies in a cross section of Kuwait adult population as well as their daily levels of physical activity (PA) as recalled by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, IPAQ. A group of 1957 subjects 17 - 65 years of age, representative of the Kuwait population was selected using last year high school students and their relatives as well as government workers in each Kuwait governorate. Descriptive statistics, frequency tables, chi square and Fisher tests were used. ANOVA or Mann Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparisons. The percentage of subjects in the low categorical PA level (from IPAQ) is high (29.4%) even at a young age (17 - 24), similar in prevalence to overweight/obesity (30%). At age 45, obesity increases to 40% with little change in % subjects of low PA. Weighted average categorical PA was 1280 MET.min/week reflecting that the majority (40%) of subjects belonged to the moderate PA category. A high proportion (38%) of subjects in the 17 - 24 age category contributed to the observed level of PA activity. Incidence of overweight and obesity increased from 30 to more than 55% from the second to the sixth decade of life. Hyperlipidemias increased in incidence from 8% to 45% of the sample from the third to the sixth decades of age. Hypertension and diabetes increased from the 4th to the 6th decades of life to affect from 14% to 40% and from 10% to 36% of the studied population, respectively. Incidence of Heart Disease increased from 9% to 15% of the sample population, between the 5th and 6th decades of life. The data indicate a sequence of events, initiated by overweight and obesity as early as in the 2d decade of life, followed by hyperlipidemia in the 3d decade, diabetes and hypertension in the 4th, and heart disease in the 5th decade of life. Changes in incidence of low energy expenditure (low PA) were not associated with the observed changes in prevalence of obesity/overweight with age which are likely due to increments in energy intake in groups with insufficient PA. Changes in low PA incidence with age did not correlate with those in NCD. Interventions to minimize overweight and hyperlipidemia should be started in the second and third decades of life respectively. Increases in PA may potentiate the responses to these treatments.

The Impact of Urbanization Expansion on the Geomorphology of the Southern Coastal Sabkhas from Ras Al-Jailiaha to Al-Khiran, South Kuwait

Kuwait is considered one of the desert regions of the Arabian Peninsula, that subjected to geomorphological processes forming the earth’s surface features. The anthropogenic activities through urbanization affected the earth geomorphology in the southern coastal sabkhas of Kuwait such as (Al-Jailiaha, Az-Zor and Al-Khiran). This study aims to monitor the geomorphological changes on the southern coastal sabkhas due to the urbanization expansion. Geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) techniques were used to study these changes, determine the areas of the coastal sabkhas in the southern part of Kuwait, following the developments, and identifying land cover in the area and its coastal strip including tourist resorts, sand dunes, and smooth sand sheets. The satellite images used in this study based on the data of Landsat-5 (TM) 1985, and Landsat-5 (TM) 1990, Landsat-7 (ETM+) 2001, visuals Landsat-8 (OLI) 2016 covering the years of (1985, 1990, 2001, 2016), in order to detect changes in the sabkhas and the extension of urbanization in the region. Digital Maps were made to show how extent the study area was affected by urbanization. Urbanization mostly expanded to the south in the study area on the account of the coastal sabkhas, where the area of the coastal sabkhas in 1985 was about 103.1 km2 and in 1990 it was about 84.1 km2. This led to the shrinking of the sabkhas area and extension of the resort area within the areas of sabkhas and sand dunes, particularly in Al-Khiran coastal area exposing it to the problem of sand drift and sand encroachment, which resulted in changes of the characteristics of the sabkhas, shrinkage of their area, and adverse impacts on their geomorphology.

Nutritional knowledge among Kuwaiti college students

Objectives: To assess the level of nutritional knowledge (NK) among male Kuwaiti college students and to correlate NK scores with different nutritional domains. Methods: A random sample of 378 students was asked to answer a questionnaire regarding socio-demographic and health-related factors and answer questions assessing their NK on different domains. Height and weight were measured. Results: NK was low. NK on sodium and carbohydrates was the highest, where those of protein and cholesterol were the lowest. Only older age, healthy dental status, and high academic achievement in high school were associated with high NK. NK scores of different nutritional domains were weekly correlated with each other. While the NK on cholesterol correlated with NK on all other domains. NK on calories/food intake correlated with less than half of the domains. Conclusion: NK was found to be low and interrelated. NK education should aim to improve NK especially in those groups with the lowest scores.

Factors Associated with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Infants in Kuwait

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate the factors associated with diabetes and its influence on the prevalence of diabetes in Kuwait. Methods: A questionnaire was designed to explore the relationships between various factors and diabetes in children. The survey included 300 mothers of children up to five years of age in Kuwait and the results were subjected to a two-way contingency table analysis. Results: Variables showing at least a medium effect and a linear relationship are herein reported. Increasing maternal age was found to be related to the increasing prevalence of type 1 diabetes. An association between a higher prevalence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the mother and the child was found. Risk of having a child with diabetes increases with the maternal age. The consumption of fried food or fast food by a child was associated with a higher prevalence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Sugar consumption, both by the mother during pregnancy and by the child, was associated with a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Heavy consumption of nuts by the child was associated with a higher prevalence of type 2. Conclusion: Genetics and environmental factors including diet may play important roles in the causation of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in Kuwait.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among male Kuwaiti adolescents aged 10 - 19 years

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity are high in Kuwait. Metabolic Syndrome is associated with both. It is expected to find the syndrome higher than in other countries. Objective: To assess the prevalence of MS using two different diagnostic criteria, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the National Cholesterol Education Program—Third Adult Treatment Panel Modified for age (NCEP-ATP III). Study design: A multi-stage random sample study. Methods: The analysis of data for this study was based on a sample of 303 male Kuwaiti adolescents, 10 - 19 years of age selected from intermediate and high schools. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests on blood samples were carried out. The IDF criterion requires waist circumference (WC) plus two of the following criteria: triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), fasting blood sugar (FBS) and blood pressure (PB). The ATP III criterion requires three of the above parameters. The parameters mentioned must show increase in their values except for HDL which must show decrease in either criterion used. Results: Each of the two criterion revealed that the prevalence of MS was 14.8% and 19.5%, using the IDF and the ATP III criteria, respectively. HDL decreased in each of the two diagnostic criteria and the other four parameters increased, satisfying the diagnostic requirements of either criterion. Conclusions: Significant implications may be drawn from these results, especially when it comes to being at risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Somatotype Components, Aerobic Fitness and Grip Strength in Kuwaiti Males and Females

Introduction and Objective: We investigated the association of endo-, meso- and ecto-morphic components of somatotype with aerobic power, mid-trunk flexibility and grip strength. Methods: Healthy male (n = 226) and female (n = 86) subjects, aged 9 - 55 years, sedentary (n = 154) or participating in sports (n = 158) were studied. Anthro-pometrics (height, weight, 8 skin folds, arm and calf circumferences, elbow and knee diameters), maximal exercise O2 uptake, mid trunk flexibility, right and left grip strength were measured. Results: Sedentary adult females were endomorphic with mesomorph tendency, and had low aerobic power (27.8 ± 0.6 ml/Kg·min) and low (48.7 ± 1 Kg) grip strength. Sedentary males (young and adults) and Sports adult males were mesomorph with endomorphic tendency. Sports junior males were balanced mesomorph. Aerobic power was 54.1 ± 0.9 ml/Kg·min in sports young males, 53.8 ± 0.9 ml/Kg·min in sports adult males, 41.2 ± 4.3 ml/Kg·min in sedentary young males, and 39.5 ± 1 ml/Kg·min in sedentary adult males. Grip strength was 89.9 ± 1.7 Kg in sports adult males, 86.7 ± 2 Kg in sedentary adult males, 75.6 ± 2.2 Kg in sports junior males and 52 ± 9.1 Kg in young sedentary males. Step-wise multiple regression analysis of somatotype components on aerobic power revealed dominant negative contribution (P < 0.001) of endomorphy (r2 = 0.57, 57%), and small but significant positive contributions of mesomorphy (0.6%) and ectomorphy (0.6%): Aerobic power = [56.1 - 4.3 (endomorphy) + (mesomorphy) + 1.4 (ectomorphy)] ± 9.1 SEE. Height and somatotype components accounted for 69% of the variance (R2) in grip strength;height had greatest contribution (60%): Grip Strength = [1.7 (Height) - 6.5 (ectomorphy) - 3.4 (endomorphy) - 2 (mesomorphy) - 200] ± 12.9 SEE. Measured variables accounted for <2% of flexibility variance. Conclusion: Endomorphy contributes greatly and negatively to variance in aerobic power. Body height was the anthropometric variable with the greatest positive association with the variance in grip strength. Flexibility appears to be unrelated to somatotype components.

The Gulf Crisis:An Insight Into Kuwait’s Mediation Efforts

Mediation is an important peaceful means of resolving international disputes.In such cases,the mediator invites member states in dispute to roundtable negotiations to bring about a reconciliation.In the late GCC crisis between Qatar on one hand and Saudi Arabia,UAE,Bahrain,and Egypt on the other,Kuwaiti mediation tries to bridge the gap and prevent escalation that might lead to military confrontation against Doha to force a change of regime.However,this mediation is always in danger of an elongated crisis that might worsen the situation and hinder the parties reaching a reconciliatory settlement of their dispute.This is a challenge that confronts the Kuwaiti mediator and jeopardizes the very existence of the GCC in case the Kuwaiti mediator fails to reach a settlement.The dispute went beyond a limited geographic one with Egypt joining the boycott and the symbolic presence of Turkish troops in Qatar.As such,the dispute has created an unprecedented political rift among Gulf States and their rulers and somehow worries the existing regimes.This worrying situation threatens the core principles of some of these States,including those who are still neutral towards the dispute.

Geo-Historical and Geomorphological Evolution of the Sabkhas and Ridges at the Al-Khiran Area, State of Kuwait

The State of Kuwait is located in the northwestern Arabian Gulf. It is characterized by arid to semi-arid weather. This study’s concerned with the southern coastal area of the Al-Khiran. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and study the geo-history and evolution of geomorphologic features, especially coastal Ridges and Sabkhas in the Al-Khiran study area. This study based on the field observations as well as the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing techniques to establish a geodatabase for the study area in different disciplines. The results showed that the Al-Khiran coastal area was affected by the sea level fluctuation and coastal sedimentation during the Holocene and late Pleistocene. The coastal Ridges were originally coastal dunes, which were composed during the sea regression periods and consolidated with time. These Ridges were developed with time and separated the Al-Khiran area as a closed lagoon. This lagoon dried with time and formed a Sabkha field, especially on the depression zone that intersected or surrounded with the coastal Ridges. The Remote Sensing change detection technique shows that the changes were mainly concentrated on covering Sabkhas in some locations and might be due to the impact of active sand sheets and Aeolian sands. Land development in the Al-Khiran area led to the demolition of most of the coastal Ridges and Sabkha deposits.