High School Students In Kuwait Research Articles

Practices of Islamic education teachers in promoting moderation (wasatiyyah) values among high school students in Kuwait: challenges and obstacles

Practices of Islamic education teachers in promoting moderation (wasatiyyah) values among high school students in Kuwait: challenges and obstacles

The Degree to Which High School Students Represent the Values of Psychological, Media and Social Security that are Included in Islamic Education Curricula in Kuwait from their Point of View

The study aimed at revealing the degree of representation of high school students in Kuwait for the values of psychological, media and social security that are included in the Islamic Education curricula; in light of the variables of gender, class, and educational area in Kuwait from their point of view. The study followed the descriptive survey methodology. A questionnaire was designed; consisting of (40) items, divided into three domains (psychological, media and social security) and consisting of 432 randomly chosen high school students (10th, 11th and 12th) during the first semester of the year 2021/ 2022. The results showed a high score in all domains, and no statistically significant differences were shown due to the variables of gender or educational district. Statistically significant differences emerged in different classes and in favor of the twelfth grade. In light of the results, the study put forward many recommendations such as the importance of taking into consideration media security and the various behaviors in the new media.

Impact of E-Learning on High School Students’ English Language Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected all sectors, including education—schools were affected by widespread lockdowns, which necessitated the adoption of online learning platforms. Using a mixed-methods research methodology incorporating questionnaires and interviews, researchers in the current study examined the impact of e-learning on high school students’ English language learning, particularly their spoken skills, in Kuwait. The researchers studied a sample of 60 participants for the quantitative analysis and 18 students for the qualitative analysis. All were high school students in Kuwait enrolled in English classes. The study’s results revealed significant challenges associated with e-learning, including low acceptance rates among students. Most students disagreed that online learning is a perfect learning tool, suggesting that e-learning fails to promote critical thinking skills and facilitate learning. E-learning also affects learners’ capabilities to express their feelings and ideas. The interviews showed that e-learning failed to improve the students’ English language mastery. Some of the challenges we noted include technical hitches and the inability to deploy teaching strategies used successfully in physical classes. Overall, the results indicate that students disliked online learning in Kuwait. In conclusion, e-learning is a significant opportunity for students to improve their learning, but it must be effectively used to encourage students’ uptake. It is necessary to assess schools’ preparedness to implement it as well as to design complementary programs and strategies to ensure students gain mastery of the English language.

The associations between smart device use and psychological distress among secondary and high school students in Kuwait.

BackgroundSmart devices (SDs) are widely used among adolescents. Numerous studies have recommended further research on this topic to find out the prevalence of SD overuse among school students and to what extent this is associated with psychological distress. The present study aimed to investigate the pattern of SD use among secondary and high school students in the state of Kuwait, as well as the possible associations with psychological problems, weight, physical activity, and school performance.Materials and methodsThe correlational study design aimed to survey students from public schools by using a questionnaire and valid instruments, which included: Smartphone Addiction Scale–Short Version (SAS-SV) and Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Scale–(DASS-21). Pearson’s correlation coefficient, t-tests, one-way ANOVA were applied to find associations or significant differences between the categorical variables, in which p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe study included 1,993 students from secondary schools (48.9%) and high schools (51.1%), of which 47.5% were male and 52.5% were female. There were significant statistical differences in the pattern of use of SDs, addiction to SD use, stress, anxiety, and depression according to gender, school type, school performance, and sport engagement. In addition, there were positive correlations between students’ addiction to SD use and stress, anxiety, and depression.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that excessive SD use is associated with addiction among secondary and high school students. In addition, levels of stress, anxiety, and depression differ according to the number of hours of SD use. Strategies should be developed at the community and school levels to avoid the overuse of SDs among school-aged students.

Resilience-based intervention for youth: An initial investigation of school social work program in Kuwait

This article describes the preliminary investigation of the initial feasibility of the ‘ Fostering Youth Resilience Project’, a universal school-based program delivered by school social workers to 54 high school students in Kuwait. Results reported significant positive change and high satisfaction with the program. The study provided initial evidence support to the applicability of the program for youth in a non-Western culture. Future research needs to evaluate the effect of the program in larger groups, using controlled trials and longer term follow ups. Discussion of limitations and practical implications for the social work profession are presented.

Dysmenorrhea among high-school students and its associated factors in Kuwait

BackgroundAlthough dysmenorrhea is not a life-threatening condition, it can cause a substantial burden on individuals and communities. There is no data on the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in Kuwait. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among female public high-school students in Kuwait and investigate factors associated with dysmenorrhea.MethodsA cross-sectional study using multistage cluster sampling with probability proportional to size method was conducted on 763 twelfth grade female public high-school students (aged 16–21 years). We used face-to-face interview with a structured questionnaire to collect data on dysmenorrhea and presumed risk factors. Weight and height of the students were measured using appropriate weight and height scales in a standardized manner. The association between dysmenorrhea and potential risk factors was assessed using multiple logistic regression.ResultsThe one-year prevalence of dysmenorrhea was found to be 85.6% (95%CI: 83.1–88.1%). Of the participants with dysmenorrhea, 26% visited a public or a private clinic for their pain and 4.1% were hospitalized for their menstrual pain. Furthermore, 58.2% of students with dysmenorrhea missed at least one school day and 13.9% missed at least one exam. Age of menarche (p-value = 0.005), regularity and flow of the menstrual period (p-value = 0.025, p-value = 0.009; respectively), and drinking coffee (p-value = 0.004) were significantly associated with dysmenorrhea in multivariable analysis.ConclusionDysmenorrhea seems to be highly prevalent among female high-school students in Kuwait, resembling that of high-income countries. Because of the scale of the problem, utilizing school nurses to reassure and manage students with primary dysmenorrhea and referring suspected cases of secondary dysmenorrhea is recommended.

Prevalence of low Back pain among adolescents in relation to the weight of school bags

BackgroundThe association between the weight of school bag and Low Back Pain (LBP) amongst students remains under intense debate worldwide. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of LBP amongst public high school students (14 to 19 years) in Kuwait and to investigate the association between LBP and the weight of school bags.MethodsAn analytical cross-sectional study using multistage cluster random sampling with probability proportional to size was conducted on a total of 950 public high school students from all governorates. Data on LBP were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. A 0–10 Numeric Pain Rating Scale was used to rate the intensity of LBP. The students’ height and weight in addition to the weight of their school bags were measured using appropriate weight and height scales. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between the weight of school bags and LBP while adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsThe estimated lifetime, 6-month, and 1-month prevalence of LBP were 70.3% (95% CI: 67.30–73.21%), 49.1% (95% CI: 45.83–52.28%), and 30.8% (95% CI: 27.81–33.78%) respectively, with significantly higher prevalence amongst females compared to males (p < 0.001). The absolute weight of school bag was not significantly associated with LBP neither in univariable nor multivariable analysis. The relative weight of school bag (as a percentage of the body weight) was significantly associated with LBP in univariable analysis but not in multivariable analysis. The perceived heaviness of school bag, however, was found to be significantly associated with LBP throughout the analysis (p < 0.001).ConclusionIn conclusion, LBP amongst high school students in Kuwait seems to be very common with a prevalence resembling that of high-income countries. Our data suggest that the perceived heaviness of school bag is far more important than the actual bag weight. Current recommendations about the weight of school bags, which are not supported by evidence, should be revised to take into account the students’ perceived heaviness of school bag.

Assessing HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitudes among Senior High School Students in Kuwait

Objectives: An estimated 1.8 million individuals worldwide became newly infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 2016, which amounts to 5,000 new infections per day. This includes 160,000 children. The HIV epidemic not only affects the health of individuals but also impacts households, communities, and the development and economic growth of nations [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1">1</xref>]. The prevention and control of HIV infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are recognized as a national priority in Kuwait. This study assesses the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes about HIV/AIDS among senior high school students in Kuwait. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a convenience sample of 346 students in 8 randomly selected high schools in 3 governorates of Kuwait, using a questionnaire designed to measure the student’s knowledge and attitude towards HIV/AIDS. The survey questionnaire was administered to the students in their classrooms. Results: This study revealed that the students were knowledgeable with regard to the nature and mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS, but they needed a more detailed understanding of the disease to prevent stigmatization and discrimination of an infected person. Conclusion: This study provides a benchmark for further elaborate studies in the community to develop appropriate health education and awareness programs.

The Attitude of High School Students in Kuwait towards Internet Addiction and Its Effect on their Health

The Internet is a new technology that has affected the world; it provided many benefits to its users. At the same time, many people are becoming addicted to Internet and unable to control their use, especially high school students, and this is affecting their health, education and relationships. The aim of this study is to diagnose the attitude of high school students in Kuwait towards internet, and the effect of Internet addiction on their health. Results demonstrated that a high percentage of high school students encounter the problem of Internet addiction. Most of them show traumatic stress, and community violence. They admit that health education is very important in teaching strategies that help them to overcome difficulties and learn healthy ways of using the Internet. In addition, a high percentage agreed that Internet addiction affected their health, it caused mental health problems, it resulted severe headaches and vision problems, and have negative effects on their physical, mental, psychological development and overall health.

Second-generation high school students in Kuwait: aspirations and future plans

Kuwait is home to about 0.48 million second-generation migrants born and residing in the country, comprising about18% of all non-nationals. A survey of 973 second- generation Arab and Asian high school students was conducted in 2012 to study their aspirations and plans in terms of future study and work. This paper analyses the students’ plans to study in Kuwait vs. another country and to work here in future by using logistic regression. We found that about one-third would like to gain post high school education in Kuwait and 60% would like to work here after completing their studies. Being Arab and female were significant predictors of desire to study here. Those who considered Kuwait as home very strongly were about 9.5 times more likely to aspire to study here and 13.3 times more likely to work here in future compared with those who did not consider it home strongly. Implications of these aspirations for future labour force growth in Kuwait are discussed within contrasting scenarios that might perceive the second-generation migrants as an opportunity or a threat.

Pattern of beverage intake and milk and dairy products sufficiency among high-school students in Kuwait

High consumption of soft drinks has been associated with lower intakes of milk and calcium-rich foods and higher body mass index (BMI). This study aimed to explore the pattern of beverage intake among Kuwaiti high-school students. A questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning beverages and milk and dairy products intake was completed by 190 Kuwaiti students aged 16-18 years and BMI was calculated for 181 of them. Intake of sweetened carbonated beverages and to a lesser extent packaged fruit juices affected the sufficiency of milk and dairy products intake among the sample of high-school students in Kuwait. Although BMI was not related to milk and dairy insufficiency, more of the overweight and obese students displayed incorrect practices. Nutritional education of high-school students on the importance of milk and dairy products as well as the hazards of excess sweetened carbonated beverages and packaged juice is recommended to prevent the obesity epidemic prevailing in Kuwait.

Peer Bullying and Victimization among High School Students in Kuwait

This study is the first to examine gender differences and bullying in Kuwaiti schools, comparing the level of peer bullying and victimization among male and female students based on a sample of 840 cases drawn from 9th and 10th grade students in high schools in Kuwait. The sample was divided into two groups. Descriptive analysis and t-tests showed that male students were significantly more involved in direct bullying than females were, while female students were indirectly victimized more than the males. Kuwaiti females scored more indirect bullying and indirect victimization than males did. Finally, grade nine students had higher means in direct bullying than did students in grade ten. This research adds to the comparative data on bullying in the schools. Future researchers should investigate additional variables, including the effects of corporal punishment and sibling relationships.

THE CHILDREN'S DEPRESSION INVENTORY AS A RELIABLE MEASURE FOR POST-IRAQI INVASION KUWAITI YOUTH

This study examined the reliability of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI, in Arabic form Kovacs, 1980) among elementary, middle, and high school students in Kuwait. The subjects (N= 2,299, ages 9–17) were selected from six districts across Kuwait. Children completed the CDI as a depression measurement tool with respect to gender and age. The overall alpha reliability coefficient for the CDI is 0.85. Girls attained higher and statistically more significant mean scores than did their male counterparts. The results indicate that the CDI shows reliability and internal consistency for use in Kuwait as a measure of childhood depression.

Level of Aggressive Behaviour among High School Students in Kuwait

Level of Aggressive Behaviour among High School Students in Kuwait

Self-Reported Juvenile Delinquency in Kuwait

ABSTRACT This paper is based on a self-reported juvenile delinquency study conducted among high school students in Kuwait, a rapidly developing Arab speaking Muslim Persian-Gulf country. A group-interview-questionnaire was administered to a sample of 483 male students in grades 10 and 11 enrolled in four high schools located in the four Governerates. Specifically we measured the interrelationship between delinquency and selected variables that have been found to be associated with delinquency in the United States. The study findings disclosed three delinquency patterns: auto offenses, vandalism, and kissing and/or touching a female. On the basis of frequency and kind of delinquent acts, usual number of accomplices, friends' degree of delinquency and stated reasons for committing delinquent acts, we classified the respondents into three delinquent types: (I) Mild, (II) Moderate, and (III) Serious delinquents. While all subjects in type I and most in type II were found to be non-delinquent or episodic offen...