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Home / The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 6, Number 6

Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Kuwait from 1965 to 1999

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BACKGROUND: After several decades of continuous decline, the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has increased over the last 10 years in several regions of the world. No reports have been published describing the epidemiology of TB in Kuwait.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the trend of TB in Kuwait from 1965 to 1999 and analyse the factors associated with this trend.

METHODS: Annual reports of the Kuwait central TB unit were examined. Tuberculosis registers recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD), which were available for the years 1998 and 1999, were also examined.

RESULTS: The notification rate of TB for the whole population has declined from 259 per 100000 in 1965 to 24/100000 in 1999. There has been a steeper decline among Kuwaiti nationals, from 355/100000 in 1965 to 14/100000 in 1999. The average annual rate of decline in all cases of TB among Kuwaiti nationals was 11.9% from 1965 to 1976, and 11.0% from 1976 to 1989, but there was a slight rise of 4.3% per year from 1989 to 1999. The average annual rate of decline in all cases of TB among non-nationals was 6.3% from 1965 to 1976, and 8.3% from 1976 to 1989, but there was a rise of 2.3% per year from 1989 to 1999.

CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis in Kuwait declined steadily from 1965 to 1989. Since 1989 there has been a slight rise in TB incidence in Kuwait among both Kuwaiti nationals and non-nationals.

Keywords: Kuwait; epidemiology; tuberculosis

Document Type: Regular Paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait 2: Tuberculosis Control Unit, Kuwait 3: The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France

Publication date: 01 June 2002

More about this publication?

  • The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) is for clinical research and epidemiological studies on lung health, including articles on TB, TB-HIV and respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, asthma, COPD, child lung health and the hazards of tobacco and air pollution. Individuals and institutes can subscribe to the IJTLD online or in print – simply email us at [email protected] for details.

    The IJTLD is dedicated to understanding lung disease and to the dissemination of knowledge leading to better lung health. To allow us to share scientific research as rapidly as possible, the IJTLD is fast-tracking the publication of certain articles as preprints prior to their publication. Read fast-track articles.

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