Identification of public health priorities, barriers, and solutions for Kuwait using the modified Delphi method for stakeholder consensus. Int J Health Plann Manage 2021 Sep;36(5):1830-1846
Date
06/28/2021Pubmed ID
34176157DOI
10.1002/hpm.3270Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85108821182 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 5 CitationsAbstract
The rapid modernization and economic developments in Kuwait, have been accompanied by substantial lifestyle changes such as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. These modifiable behaviours have contributed to increased rates of non-communicable diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Delphi Consensus Method was implemented in the current study to draw stakeholders from all sectors together to develop a consensus on the major public health priorities, barriers and solutions. The process involves administration of a series of questions to selected stakeholders through an iterative process that ends when a consensus has been reached among participants. Results of the iteration process identified obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases along with lack of enforcement of laws and regulation as priority health issues. Results also identified lack of national vision for the development of a public health system, lack of multidisciplinary research investigating sources of disease and methods of prevention and improving efficiency with existing resources in implementation and efficiency as the main barriers identified were. Solutions suggested included investing in healthcare prevention, strengthening communication between all involved sectors through intersectoral collaboration, awareness at the primary healthcare setting and use of electronic health records. The results offer an important opportunity for stakeholders in Kuwait to tackle these priority health issues employing the suggested approaches and solution.
Author List
Gasana J, Vainio H, Longenecker J, Loney T, Ádám B, Al-Zoughool MAuthor
Janvier Gasana MD, MPH, PhD Adjunct Associate Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
ConsensusDelphi Technique
Health Priorities
Humans
Kuwait
Public Health