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Objectives: We aimed to determine the quality of life (QoL) of Kuwaiti adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) who used continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions (CSIIs) and to understand their perception of this treatment.Background: CSII is an effective and safe alternative to multiple daily injections for T1DM, with the potential to improve both glycemic control and QoL. Although CSII has been widely used in Kuwait, its effectiveness and benefits have not been properly evaluated. Healthcare providers and patients need more information on CSII before its initiation.Methods: In this qualitative case study, semi-structured individual interviews were performed using a topic guide. Interviews were stopped at data saturation point. Subsequently, a thematic analysis of transcripts was performed.Results: Eighteen adults with T1DM (8 males and 10 females; age 31.4 ± 6.4 years; diabetes duration 17.7 ± 9.5 years; CSII duration 3.6 ± 2.4 years) were recruited from the CSII clinic. Six main themes were studied: health benefits, lifestyle flexibility, improvement of mood and emotion, practical problems, physical and personal effects, and self-confidence to manage diabetes. CSII positively affected the QoL of participants', most notably by enhancing lifestyle flexibility; however, important negative qualities were also reported.Conclusion: The identified themes highlight the complexity of the experiences of participants, and can be used to provide a framework to help healthcare providers understand how people with T1DM become aware of their treatment regimens. It is important to identify the positive aspects of CSII and not focus only on its negative effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kuwait has a high prevalence and incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D). At present there is a need for structured educational programs (SEP) specifically tailored for Arabian youth with T1D. This SEP was locally and culturally adapted from the Kids In Control of Food (KICk-OFF) course delivered at the Dasman Diabetes Institute, Kuwait.Aims: To explore the psychological and social impact of a pilot SEP for Arabian youth with T1D and their mothers through exploring their respective perspectives.Methods: All 20 participants were interviewed using semistructured interviews individually, with a duration of approximately 30-45 min. The interviews were recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using an inductive thematic approach.Results: The adolescents gained more self-confidence in managing their diabetes and their mothers were more confident in allowing their children take the lead in their diabetes self-management. Participants were empowered with adequate knowledge about the underlying pathophysiology of glucose metabolism and the nutritional and pharmacological management which made them feel in control and helped them to better cope with diabetes. It reduced diabetes-related family stress and gave them more social freedom, supporting behavioral change for a better lifestyle.Conclusions: Attending the adapted SEP had a positive impact on adolescents with T1D and their mothers through enhancement of their knowledge and confidence, thus giving them a sense of disease control. This pilot study has proven effective in terms of enhancement of confidence in diabetes management and psychosocial factors. Therefore, there is a need for a wider implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the perceptions of women who work in the media in Kuwait—a conservative, male-dominated society. It examines how female media professionals are treated and explores the factors that either encourage or discourage the empowerment of Kuwaiti women working in this field. In-depth interviews were conducted with five female media professionals and academics in Kuwait in order to develop measures of perceptions towards their profession, media organizations, and the general outlook of Kuwait society. The perceptions of a sample of 237 female media professionals were measured using a fifty-one-item questionnaire. An exploratory factor analysis shows that the respondents’ perceptions are grouped into eight sets of variables. The results show that, while the respondents feel empowered by education, regulations, and the current lifestyle in Kuwait, their cultural upbringing, self-image, and societal outlook discourage their empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Rabbit carcasses were used to compare rates of decomposition and associated assemblages of Diptera at four discernable habitat types in Kuwait; a country of a region with a paucity of such reference data. Carcasses in an urban habitat showed faster decomposition (as measured by percentage weight loss) than in agricultural, coastal or desert habitats, even with accumulated degree days (ADD) as the explanatory variable (t =2.73, df=34, p =0.010) to compensate for temperature differences. Taxa of Diptera at the four habitats became more similar as decomposition progressed, suggesting such differences between habitats were not marked. The occurrence of Chrysomyia megacephala and Lucilia sericata had not previously been recorded in Kuwait. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examines the effect of mode of listening to radio news on cognitive processes. An experimental design using 82 undergraduates from Kuwait University was employed to test the research hypotheses. The stimulus is a real newscast that was recorded and manipulated into four versions in line with the research problem: Traditional radio newscast, online newscast played with one click, linear interactive netcast with a click for each news item, and a support activity condition in which additional links for details were added to each link. The study showed that nonlinear news listening yields better levels of news recall and comprehension. Moderate levels of interactivity on sites of radio news caused better memory performance compared to lower and higher levels of interactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To study the impact of a novel comprehensive eLearning approach in delivering diabetes related education program that includes knowledge and sets of practices to the school personnel in Kuwait to enable them to provide a supportive environment for students with diabetes.Methods: The program was designed with three components namely; knowledge, skills and recommendations. The diabetes knowledge was delivered through an interactive eLearning program, the effectiveness of which was assessed using diabetes knowledge questionnaires which were deployed pre- and post-course delivery. Additionally, the participants' knowledge retention and confidence in caring for a student with diabetes were evaluated at 6 or 12 months post-intervention.Results: A total of 124 public schools' personnel participated in the program. Post e-Learning delivery, diabetes knowledge increased significantly from baseline (p < 0.0001) and knowledge was retained over 6 and 12 months. Average of overall confidence scores in caring for students with diabetes was 61.86% in all items of care.Conclusions: Offering eLearning diabetes education for school personnel increases their knowledge which can be retained for up to 12 months and imparts confidence in caring for students with diabetes. This novel approach of delivering diabetes education will help school personnel in managing students with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To date, entomology has not been used in legal investigations in Kuwait. Indeed, this is true of most Arab countries in the Middle East. There are no known studies on necrophagous species in the region, nor any knowledge of cadaver succession with which to compare case material. Here we report the first case of application of forensic entomology in Kuwait. In Al-Rowdah district, a man was found dead in his bedroom which was air-conditioned and the windows were closed. The temperature of the room was 20°C. The cause of death was morphine overdose. At autopsy, fly larvae were collected from the blanket with which the body was wrapped and were identified as postfeeding 3rd instars of Parasarcophaga (Liopygia) ruficornis using molecular analysis. In addition, the face and neck were extensively and exclusively colonized by different stages of Chrysomya albiceps (secondary fly). Based on the age of P. ruficornis full mature 3rd instars and the location of the body, approximately 7.5–8.5 days postmortem was estimated for the corpse at the time of its discovery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]