Even before the 1990 war the populations of some areas of Kuwait was subject to
severe atmospheric pollution. However, little was known about the effect of this
pollution on health and on the use of health care.
Three areas in Kuwait were chosen for study which were demographically similar
and lay at a different distances to the north (i.e. usually downwind) of the industrial
area. Plant in this area emits hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons,
nitrogen oxides, ammonia and carbon monoxide among other pollutants.
A special survey was carried out to gather information on demographic, health and
lifestyle factors including age, sex, place of residence, smoking, physical symptoms,
psychological effects, life satisfaction, environmental problems, experience of air
pollution and use of health care. A random sample of 136 households (1140
persons) was chosen from the three areas and studied over the period from lst
February 1988 to 31st January 1989.
Data on levels of pollution concentrations and meteorological conditions were also
collected over the same period for each area studied. Data on use of health care
were available from the health centres in the three areas studied and also from the
population survey.The demographic similarity of the three areas studied was generally confirmed by
the data from population survey. The relationships involved were examined for different age groups using cross
tabulation, time series analysis and regression analysis. There were clear gradients
with increased distance from the industrial area in levels of pollution, levels of selfreported
physical and psychological symptoms and in the use of health care.
Of the individual pollutants it appeared that carbon monoxide levels were most
closely correlated with levels of symptoms. For those aged less than 18, the link
to CO was closest for respiratory symptoms, while for those aged 18 to 64 the link
was with headache. The use of primary care is more closely linked to H2S
although this relationship is relatively weak.
Consider the relationship between levels of pollution in the three areas studied and
Kuwait City and the levels of pollution in Shuaiba area taking meteorological
conditions into account. The purpose of this was to allow for estimates of the effect
of pollution reduction in Shuaiba on the health of population elsewhere in the
country. However, no way was and of making such estimates with sufficient prison.
This analysis confirmed a number of recommendations that have been made by
others
