Kuwait Older Adults Health Survey (KOAHS)

Introduction:

Kuwait Older Adults’ Health Survey is a Ministry of Health (MOH) project in collaboration with and funded by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). This project aims to assess the health, well-being, and social situations, and to identify the healthcare needs, challenges, and concerns of older adults in Kuwait to improve the policies and programs that promote healthy ageing, improve the quality of life for older adults, and support their families and communities

As the global population gets older, countries like Kuwait face big challenges. An older population needs more healthcare services, especially for chronic illnesses, which can put a lot of pressure on the healthcare system. This project will help shape the future of healthcare services for this population.

KOAHS will collect representative data of the older adult population in Kuwait (65+ years old) that cover indicators such as living conditions, environmental risks, healthcare utilization, chronic illnesses, obesity, physical activity levels, and risks like falls and fractures. Additionally, it assesses aspects like social isolation, cognitive and psychological capacities, sensory and locomotor abilities, vitality, care dependence, frailty, urinary health, and healthcare quality. The project also considers caregiver health and well-being to enhance family support systems.

We aim to build baseline data that is crucial for advancing progress and enhancing the lives of older adults and their communities.

FAQ's

 

    • 1. Who will be selected for the survey?

      Any person above 65 years old who is randomly selected from a household roster will be included.

    • 2. How will individuals be selected to be included in the survey?

      Individuals will be selected through a random sampling technique.

    • 3. What is the number of members of the visiting team?

      2 -3 Interviewers per team will be visiting the household after appointment confirmation by the team.

    • 4. Who are the interviewers in KOAHS?

      All interviewers were carefully selected and approved by MOH.

    • 5. Are the interviewer's team trained?

      Yes, the interviewers conducting the survey have completed the training on this survey as well as the physical measurements included in this survey.

    • 6. How can we verify the interviewing team?

      The names of the interviewers will be communicated to you via a phone call before their visit. In addition, they will carry an official ID with a barcode linked to the MOH website.

    • 7. What is the home visit time?

      8 -12 (Morning) or 4-8 (Evening).

    • 8. What is the type of questionnaire, paper or electronic?

      An electronic questionnaire was installed on dedicated tablets with the field team in charge of this.

    • 9. What is the time taken for the field visit?

      It will take approximately 90 - 120 minutes to complete the questionnaire and necessary physical examination by the interviewer team.

    • 10. What are the necessary preparations required from the household?

      The presence of the older person with the primary caregiver is essential. Any other requirements will be communicated by the visiting team before the visit.

    • 11. What tests will be done for the participants?

      The survey will include some physical measurements specific to older people indicating their overall physical health. E.g., Blood pressure, hearing, vision, balance, lung function, and handgrip strength. No blood samples will be needed/ collected.

    • 12. Is there a specific mechanism to maintain the privacy of information?

      Yes, all information that you give in the interview is entirely confidential and protected as per the policies devised by the MOH IT security team.

    • 13. How long will the survey take?

      About 6- 12 months.

    • 14. Are there incentives for randomly selected individuals in this survey?

      Cases of concern will have referrals to the healthcare facility. The respondents will contribute to creating an important information base for decision- makers regarding the current and future health services of older adults in Kuwait based on the current and future healthcare needs, challenges and concerns of older adults.