Dataset Information

Spatiotemporal dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Kuwait.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:Prompt understanding of the temporal and spatial patterns of the COVID-19 pandemic on a national level is a critical step for the timely allocation of surveillance resources. Therefore, this study explored the temporal and spatiotemporal dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait using daily confirmed case data collected between the 23 February and 07 May 2020. METHODS:The pandemic progression was quantified using the time-dependent reproductive number (R(t)). The spatiotemporal scan statistic model was used to identify local clustering events. Variability in transmission dynamics was accounted for within and between two socioeconomic classes: citizens-residents and migrant workers. RESULTS:The pandemic size in Kuwait continues to grow (R(t)s ?2), indicating significant ongoing spread. Significant spreading and clustering events were detected among migrant workers, due to their densely populated areas and poor living conditions. However, the government's aggressive intervention measures have substantially lowered pandemic growth in migrant worker areas. However, at a later stage of the study period, active spreading and clustering events among both socioeconomic classes were found. CONCLUSIONS:This study provided deeper insights into the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Kuwait and provided an important platform for rapid guidance of decisions related to intervention activities.

SUBMITTER: Alkhamis MA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7326444 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Spatiotemporal dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Kuwait.

Alkhamis Moh A MA Al Youha Sarah S Khajah Mohammad M MM Ben Haider Nour N Alhardan Sumayah S Nabeel Ahmad A Al Mazeedi Sulaiman S Al-Sabah Salman K SK

International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases 20200630

<h4>Objectives</h4>Prompt understanding of the temporal and spatial patterns of the COVID-19 pandemic on a national level is a critical step for the timely allocation of surveillance resources. Therefore, this study explored the temporal and spatiotemporal dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait using daily confirmed case data collected between the 23 February and 07 May 2020.<h4>Methods</h4>The pandemic progression was quantified using the time-dependent reproductive number (R<sub>(t)</sub> ...[more]

PMID: 32619761

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundTelerehabilitation has been considered a suitable alternative healthcare delivery system during the COVID-19 outbreak, and many studies have promoted its feasibility in delivering physical care to patients who live with pain and disability. Physiotherapists' perceptions and willingness are two key factors that influence the provision of remote physiotherapy.AimTo investigate physiotherapists' perceptions of and willingness to use telerehabilitation in Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the barriers that may hinder the use of telerehabilitation in this sector.MethodsThe following methods were used: (1) a cross-sectional survey and (2) face-to-face semi-structured interviews. In the cross-sectional survey, an electronic questionnaire was sent to 747 physiotherapists who were working in the governmental health sector. The questionnaire included four sections: perceptions of telerehabilitation, comfort with technology, willingness to use telerehabilitation, and barriers to using telerehabilitation. Six interviews were conducted with physiotherapy managers to explore the barriers and facilitators of telerehabilitation practice.Data analysisIn this study, descriptive data analysis was conducted, and a cross-tabulation technique was used to find the associations between the variables, in which chi-square tests were used to identify the significance of the results, where p < 0.05. Thematic content analysis was used for the interviews.ResultsOnly 273 completed questionnaires were received, giving a response rate of 36.5%. Most of the respondents (237; 86.8%) considered telerehabilitation a viable option to deliver healthcare to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of the lack of information and communication technology (ICT) (156; 57.1%), 89% (243) of the respondents were willing to integrate telerehabilitation into their conventional practice, as cultural and social norms were not against the use of telerehabilitation systems. The results indicate that the more the physiotherapists used the internet and email in their work and the more comfortable they were with technology, the more willing they were to use telerehabilitation systems (p = 0.01). The physiotherapy managers reported that patients' privacy and the confidentiality of their data were considered barriers.ConclusionIn Kuwait, physiotherapists show overall positive perceptions towards and a willingness to use telerehabilitation to facilitate patients' access to physiotherapy services. There are several barriers to employing telerehabilitation. Accordingly, recommendations are suggested.

Dataset Information

Spatiotemporal dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Kuwait.

Publications

Spatiotemporal dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Kuwait.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets