Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Kuwait from 1965 to 1999

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.