Publication:

A cross-sectional survey of Indians in Kuwait with risk factors for coronary artery disease

Background The Indian sub-population is the biggest among the foreigners in Kuwait. Due to the harsh weather conditions most of the time in the year there is less inclination towards a healthy lifestyle. The present study was conducted to determine the extent of the Indian population living in Kuwait having the risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted including 400 subjects aged 18 years or more (346 males and 54 females). They were subjected to general physical examination, and were asked to respond to a standard questionnaire.

Results Significantly more females than males were found to be overweight (63% vs. 43.9%, p<0.01) or obese (16.7% vs. 4.3%, p<0.005). Females also had higher proportions than males in having inadequate physical activity (79.6% vs. 53.2%, p<0.001). Significantly more males were having an inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables as compared to females (34.7% vs. 18.5%, p<0.005). There was no significant difference between the genders in proportions of hypertension, smoking, and diabetes. Overweight, hypertension, and inadequate physical activity showed a rising trend with increasing age. The studied population was compared with several geographically different populations, as well as the different populations living in India.

Conclusions As the stay and the jobs of Indians in Kuwait depend upon their health-status, prevention of CAD is of paramount importance. Looking at the levels of the prevalence of several risk factors, multilevel interventions are needed for reducing the CAD-morbidity and mortality.