HIV/AIDS in Kuwait September 26, 2008
Posted by jewaira in Health, Kuwait, Life, Links, News.Tags: Add new tag
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Alia was nervous when she called Abdulla and told him she had been to the gynecologist and had something very important to tell him.
Abdulla sounded very grave but gently encouraged her to tell him. What Alia couldn’t see was the sudden break out of sweat on his forehead.
“It is a serious infection, she told him, and you need to take medication also,” she said in a low, frightened voice. “It’s called….” and she gave him the name of the STD she had been diagnosed with that morning by a stern looking doctor.
“Phew!” exhaled Abdulla. “I thought you were going to say AIDS!” He pronounced it “Aidis” but it still resonated threateningly through the airwaves between them. “OK, I’ll go to the clinic today and do some tests too.”
With Alia and Abdulla, it sounds like Russian roulette: promiscuity, uninformed and unprotected sex may have very real health consequences.
HIV/AIDS could happen to anyone. A person with AIDS is not a monster but a real person with needs and feelings like any other person.
In Kuwait, we are generally shielded from the statistics and lack information on how to deal with people who have the virus.
Living With HIV/AIDS in Kuwait is a personal account by Hussain Al-Qattari of his interview with a young man who has AIDS. The details of the account are sad and reveal how much stigma patients must endure.
(A recommended read. As for the interviewed patient – I wish him strength and positive outlook and hope that his story will have an enlightening effect on others).
Even as a journalist, Al-Qattari, reveals his own confused reactions in a frank manner that leaves us wondering why he was not more compassionate when dealing with the AIDS patient he interviewed. (This is in the print version of the Friday Times)
But honestly, how would the average person react? Are we educated enough on the subject? Can we be if we have no interactions with AIDS patients?
I came across an old study (published in 2002 but conducted several years earlier) on the knowledge and attitudes held by Kuwaiti family physicians towards HIV/AIDS and patients. (Survey of HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes of Kuwaiti family physicians.)
This study reveals how some Kuwaiti family physicians lack proper knowledge about HIV and how they may even harbor negative attitudes towards AIDS patients . Hopefully this has now changed somewhat with a unit that oversees patients and their needs. Trust is an essential factor between doctor and patient.
We all need to be more informed on the disease and on how we can interact with patients in a way that will help them and not cause them to feel like outcasts.
Thank you Jewaira for bringing attention to the article and this urgent Kuwaiti public health topic.
The stigma and silence which has surrounded it must be broken by the urgent need for frank and open discussion on all aspects of what HIV and AIDS is.
It is one of those open Kuwaiti secrets, and their are far, far more cases registered within the public health system than people are aware of.
With respect to the “promiscuity” conclusion which could easily be reached by anyone without proper education and ignorant about HIV, there are people who have become unwittingly infected with HIV on their first sexual encounter ever, and after only one sexual experience with an infected partner. Their are new Kuwaiti brides with no sexual experience at all, who have slept with their husbands only to become infected – and yes, this is in KUWAIT.
The more all the social, emotional, psychological and medical factors are discussed out in the open, the more ammunition there is to help our society to combat the alarming rise in HIV infection, and the more we can help those who are infected to lead as normal a life as possible in this culture and society. How awful for the subject of the interview, to be shunned by his family in this particular culture, in this time of his greatest vulnerability and pain. May they come to their senses and realize that he is their child and brother who needs them, and is paying with his life for whatever unfortunate silly folly anyone could have found themselves sucked into.
I am thankful that the subject of the interview had the guts to come out in the open and discuss what is clearly the most painful aspect of his life, for the sake of bringing awareness and helping others to understand how dire the issue of HIV and AIDS is in Kuwait. It is the most selfless thing one can do, in the face of such a personal and sad tragedy, and hopefully having come out and talked about it will have helped him in some way.
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Thank you MsBaker for sharing your thoughts and your viewpoint.
I join you in thanking again the subject of the interview who spoke of his problem knowing that some people might immediately criticize or react negatively.
I wonder if you or any other readers are familiar with the governmental body that deals with AIDS patients? I seem to remember hearing on an interview once that is was a woman heading the department or centre?
Jewaira
what do you expect form a country full of whores
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Being HIV positive doesn’t necessarily mean you are promiscuous: some women become infected from their husbands (or vice versa), some people become infected from tainted blood transfusions, some health care workers might contract the disease, some people become infected through rape or other types of forced assaults by an infected person, and still, some are born with it through an infected mother.
Jewaira
Anon: Better education as to how to whore safely ;p
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Witty, MiyaFushi
Jewaira
It’s not just Kuwait.
The attitude towards HIV+ patients is the same all over the world by people who aren’t educated enough about the subject.
It’s a natural evolutionary process that makes us want to stay away from the things that endanger our lives.
What people don’t know is there are things we do everyday that are more threatening to our health than being in the same room with an HIV+ individual.
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You are right that it is not just Kuwait: misconceptions exist all around the world especially with regards to a disease associated with death.
People including physicians need to enlighten themselves with regards to the effects of AIDS on those around the patient.
Jewaira
I was actually amazed by the amount of persons with STD’s living in Kuwait that have not been treated because they are afraid of the word getting around.
I guess its my ignorance coming from the USA… I thought that Kuwait would be the stereotypical “virginal” society that you read about in books and see in the media.
I never thought of all the promiscuity and adultery and alternate sexual activity that occurs and no one speaks about.
I am relatively new to Kuwaiti society. Every day I am SHOCKED to hear about such things.
Education is essential, but so is the accessibility to purchase condoms and medication. Yes, they have them, but how often do you see anyone buying?
If you aren’t married and buy condoms, you have a problem…
If you don’t use them, you are at risk. Its a no win situation. Very sad
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I don’t think anyone will or can object to someone buying condoms. They are widely available in pharmacies and in Sultan Centre in the toiletries department. No one will look for a marriage certificate.
With regards to rampant STD’s (sexually transmitted diseases), I’m sure doctors could give us an idea of how much of a problem that is.
Are gynecologists or venereal diseases specialist sympathetic in the case of STD’s or judgmental? I don’t know.
I do believe however that it is the doctor’s job to administer to a patient regardless of the disease and without passing judgment.
It is not a virginal society: it is a normal, modern society and one expects to find all sorts of people and all sorts of problems.
Jewaira
I had a distant cousin who was a drug addict and he also was infected with HIV — I never gave him a cold shoulder like the rest of the family — bil3aks I stood by him but unfortunately the drugs he took were a better friend to him than I was — few months after his diagnosis he was found dead from a drug overdose in a dumpster outside his father’s diwaniya —
I blame his father for what happened to him — I mean what else would you expect when you give your teenage son 10000kd for a monthly allowance?
allah yester 3ala elshabab welbanat oo ey7afuth’hum
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I’m very sorry to hear that.
Jewaira
Here a sex education campaign in line with kuwait social norms ‘
Gentlemen please leave home without it
Ladies Dont open the door to any John Thomas , Dick or Hairy
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And practically impossible.
Jewaira
Its a lot worse then people expect in Kuwait. There isn’t much testing done and they tend to isolate people when they find out they have Aids in the Kuwait medical system, and there is a list of people that they keep and its very saddening. There isn’t any real treatment for it or awareness, I hope there is more help for people in this situation.
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I remember once listening on the radio to an interview with the woman who oversees the project. I wish I had more information.
I do think that there is medical treatment and this is supported in the article:
“The medical treatment is quite outstanding by Kuwaiti standards. He gets his supply of medication once every three months, he says. The doctors are very cooperative and professional, and they treat him with complete privacy.”
However, it is people’s attitudes in general (including some physicians who may not be prepared to deal with such cases). It is overcoming the fear of going for testing. And of course it is the fear of being ostracized.
Jewaira
LOL Miyafushi!
Just curious, is there any health education about hiv/aids in school?
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I’m not sure about the kind of health education in the MOE.
I would venture a guess that in High School, warnings about HIV and AIDS and how to combat them (through abstinence) are discussed at lengyh in some religion classes.
Classes dealing with sex education would not be encouraged, I believe
Jewaira
HIV and AIDS are being spread throughout this country mostly by unprotected sex, so I believe that sex education would play a big part in preventing it from taking over.
The problem is that this society keeps believing that pre-marital/unprotected sex is not available in Kuwait, so they feel no need in having proper education on safe sex.
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In addition, they probably think that teaching adolescents about safe sexual practices might encourage them to have sex.
I know from reliable sources that an educational book for KU dealing with HIV/AIDS education did not see the light of day.
Being informed helps us make decisions and to form unbiased opinions.
Jewaira
I’m really surprised. I would not have expected much of an STD problem in Kuwait at all. I am still not clear how large the problem is, compared with, say the U.S. or other countries. Eventually, education regarding prevention will be necessary in one way or another.
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Unfortunately I do not have access to statistics at hand. I would not for the sake of accuracy say that STD’s are a big problem but I would definitely disagree with those who say they are non-existent.
Multiple sexual partners (heterosexual and homosexual), unprotected sex, unhygienic sexual practices, and an irresponsible attitude towards the possibility of getting an STD contribute to this problem in Kuwait.
Again, I do not want to generalize to give the impression that it is rampant. Like any society with a varied population, STD’s happen.
Jewaira
Education in Kuwait regarding this topic is a bit like how an ostrich would react if it sees a predator i.e. sticks its oblivious head in the ground.
A male friend of mine has been getting regular check ups at a very well known clinic here in Kuwait. my friend said that his doctor was very surprised when he asked for an STD test. “it’s as if i was doing something wrong. he looked at me thinking that i feel that i might have something.” (my friend is healthy though).
When i was in school in Kuwait, we did have sex ed (it was part of our physical education class) and we briefly covered this posts topic in that class and in other biology-oriented classes.
I have a feeling that this is the silence before the storm that might hit in less than 3-5 years…
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Erzulie
In recent years I think discussion of HIV/AIDS has been encouraged in the high school curriculum but in what form I don’t know. Regionally, HARPAS has encouraged the youth to youth awareness about this subject. There has also been a call for all sectors of society to raise awareness not only about how the HIV is contracted but also on how to deal with patients and relate to them without fear or stigmatization.
With regards to your friend, I would agree that there are some doctors who involve their personal opinions or prejudices when dealing with patients and that is wrong. However, I do think it is easier for males than for females to seek medical advice and treatment with regards to STD’s especially with doctors who specialize in venereal diseases. This is my personal opinion from what I have observed around me. Again, it is a cultural issue where a man is more liable to be excused than a woman for having an STD (regardless of the reasons).
Jewaira
The number of registered Kuwaiti HIV patients is undisclosed here in Kuwait mainly due to cultural reasons or in my opinion “immaturity” in handling such situations..
Back in 2004 the total Kuwaiti HIV infected people were 125, men women and (maybe children). This is an accurate number (I knew because of my line of work). I really don’t know what the current number is (because I’m no longer working there).
Contrary to local belief, infected people are not locked up in the infectious diseases hospital. They are leading normal lives with their families. They only visit the outpatient clinics for follow up and to get their supply of medications.
Thanks be to God that the current regime of drugs do stop the progress of the disease into full blown AIDS but does not treat/eradicate the virus.
Answering your inquiry on the governmental body responsible for monitoring and treating HIV : it is the ministry of health (infectious diseases hospital and department of statistics).
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Thank you, Abdulaziz.
I wish more statistics and information were readily available (for those of us too lazy to go beyond online sources)
I read about a Youth to Youth awareness program that was held in Bahrain. I wonder if there are active youth groups in Kuwait geared to raising awareness about such social and health issues?
Jewaira
Kuwait has been publicly hosting “International AIDS conferences” (or something like that) for years… what have they achieved? Not much it seems
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Yes Zaydoun.
Here is the woman I mentioned in previous comments:
مقررة اللجنة الوطنية لمكافحة الإيدز هند الشومر:
نتعامل بسرية تامة مع مرضى الإيدز
قالت مقررة لجنة التوعية والاعلام في اللجنة الوطنية لمكافحة الايدز د. هند الشومر ان المصابين بمرض الايدز ينقسمون الى قسمين، اما ان يكون المريض حاملا للفيروس او ان فحص الدم يبين وجود الاجسام المضادة للفيروس مع عدم ظهور اعراض على المصاب (حامل المرض)، او ان يكون مصابا بمرض الايدز اي ان الاعراض بدأت تظهر عليه.
واكدت ان السرية متحققة في التعامل مع المصابين، سواء كانوا كويتيين او غير كويتيين.
واشارت الى ان التعامل مع المريض غير الكويتي يكون بعدم امكانية حصوله على اقامة دائمة في دولة الكويت، حيث يتم ابعاده من البلاد الا في الحالات الحرجة التي تحتاج علاج فيتم علاجها بالكويت حتى تسمح حالة المريض بالسفر.
وعن كيفية التعامل مع المريض الكويتي قالت انه تتم مقابلته بسرية تامة لمعرفة كيفية انتقال العدوى له ومعرفة المخالطين له لابلاغهم (زوج/ زوجة)، ولفحصهم ومن ثم فحص الابناء للتأكد من خلوهم من الفيروس.
واضافت ‘يتم نقل المصاب بعد ذلك من عمله اذا كان عمله يتعلق بالتعامل مع ادوات حادة الى عمل آخر بعيد عن مثل هذه الادوات، وبعد ذلك تتم متابعة المريض في مستشفى الامراض السارية حيث يشرف على المرضى اطباء متخصصون بمرض الايدز تم تدريبهم بموجب دورات تم تنظيمها بالتعاون مع منظمة الصحة العالمية، حيث يتم اجراء فحوصات يمكن بواسطتها معرفة مستوى المناعة لدى المريض وتحديد مدى احتياجه للعلاج ومن ثم توفير العلاج المجاني.
واكدت الشومر ان على المصاب بالفيروس الالتزام باستخدام ادواته الشخصية الخاصة به وعدم مشاركة احد له فيها، وعدم ممارسة الجنس وضرورة ابلاغ الطبيب المعالج بالاصابة بالفيروس عند الحاجة لمراجعة طبيب الاسنان او عند اجراء اي جراحة، مع العلم ان الاجراءات الاحترازية من قبل الاطباء في المستشفيات او العيادات التخصصية يتم تطبيقها مع جميع المرضى حتى لو لم يبلغ المصاب بالايدز باصابته.
ولفتت الشومر الى ان دخول المصاب بالفيروس الى مستشفى الامراض السارية يتم بعد ظهور الاعراض عليه لتدهور حالته الصحية.
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The woman I was referring to in the interview is Dr. Hind Al-Shomar, who is head of the awareness and communications committee that is part of the National Aids Prevention Committee.
Essentially, she says completely confidentiality for the patient is ensured. After diagnosis, the patient is interviewed to know how he or she might have contracted the disease. If that person is married, the spouse will be informed. In addition, the spouse and children will also undergo testing to ensure they are HIV free.
If the patient is employed in a place where there are sharp objects or anything that might cause injury and bleeding, he or she is transferred to a more suitable job.
The patient is followed up by health professionals at the infectious diseases hospital in Kuwait (specially trained to deal with HIV/AIDS patients in cooperation with WHO)
Thereafter, the patient receives free treatment.
The patient must inform the doctor overseeing treatment when dental treatment is sought or when undergoing operations so that necessary precautions are taken.
Patients are only hospitalized when their conditions require that.
Jewaira
My first term-paper in college was about AIDS. Still we lack proper info about it.
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So you are better informed than most then Esetch.
I just found this form 27/6/2008
126 حالة في الكويت
20 مصاباً بالإيدز يرفضون تلقي العلاج
126 Kuwaitis diagnosed with HIV
4 children
33 women
89 men
106 of those receive free treatment from the Ministry of Health
20 of those refuse treatments either because their health is good or because they are simply uncooperative and refuse treatment
Jewaira
thanks for the post and the info jewaira…where did you find the stats:
126 kuwaitis with hiv
4 children
33 women
89 men
salamat to all them
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The stats were announced by Dr. Hind Al-Shomar in a press conference. Unfortunately the link I set in the previous comment does not work.
Here is another link to another newspaper link of the same article:
الشومر: 126كويتيا مصابون بالإيدز
Do you read Arabic?
Jewaira
Are you referring to good AIDS or bad AIDS?
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I’m not sure I understand your question.
Jewaira
You know, 25 years seems like a lifetime and yet so little has changed.
Now in the States people barely discuss it and it seems contained (hey – Magic Johnson is HIV and he’s still alive). But complacency is just as dangerous as silence.
My wife and I both knew people who died from AIDS back in the 80s. But worse was my friend who took his own life for fear of AIDS. He was so terrified of getting it, he decided he couldn’t be touched anymore. Couldn’t let anyone love him (not just physically). And, of course, he couldn’t live like that.
It’s a tough enough problem without adding shame and fear to it. It needs to be talked about.
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You’re right Gorky.
Jewaira
ppl in our region have a hard time saying the word cancer, let alone hiv or aids
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Yes, despite the increased deaths from cancer in recent years, there is still difficulty in saying the word.
Jewaira
Allah yshfeeh il jameee3 inshalla o ya7feth shbaabna o bnatna Ya rab…
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Ameen.
Jewaira