Pattern of diseases among visitors to Mina health centers during the Hajj season, 1429 H [2008 G]

While performing the Hajj, hajjis face different risks related to the environment, their behaviors and their health conditions that can result in a variety of diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of diseases among pilgrims seeking medical services in Mina primary health care centers [PHCCs] during the Hajj season in 1429 [2008]. This is a descriptive study based on the medical records of a random sample of 4136 patients who attended 13 randomly selected Mina PHCCs from 8 to 12 Dhu-Alhijja, 1429 H [6-10 December 2008]. The majority of the patients were men [70.7%], and most of the patients were between 45 and 64 years of age [42.8%]. One-fifth [20.2%] of the patients suffered from multiple diseases. Respiratory diseases were the most common [60.8%], followed by musculoskeletal [17.6%], skin [15.0%] and gastrointestinal [13.1%] diseases. Diabetes, asthma and hypertension each constituted less than 3% of the total diseases. Respiratory diseases were the most common independent of nationality or the day of visit, while the frequency of the other diseases varied according to nationality and the day of visit. The most frequently prescribed drugs were analgesics, antipyretics, antibiotics and cough syrups. This study describes the pattern of diseases among pilgrims attending Mina PHCCs, which may aid in providing the best possible health care services to pilgrims. 2011 King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Maternal practices regarding acute respiratory tract infections in an urban slum of lahore

Acute Respiratory tract infections [ARI] are responsible for 26.5% of all deaths under five yeras of age in Pakistan. To determine the knowledge and practices of the mothers regarding management of acute respiratory tract infections, 256 randomly selected mothers, having at least one child below 5 years of age where interviewed in an urban slum of Lahore. Seventy five% children were suffering from ARI at the time of interview. 25% children had suffered during the last two months preceding the interview but were free from any symptom of ARI at the time of interview. Seventy% mothers consulted private general physicians, 10.9% consulted Government health facility while 23% mothers used various types of home remedies for the management of ARI in their children. In home management, 44.1% mothers used allopathic drugs, 27.1% used Joshanda, 22% vicks rub, 22% honey, 20.3% soanf [aniseed] water, 15.2% tea, 11.9% kept the child warm and 8.5% gave eggs to their children. Majority of mothers 71.2% intiated the home based treatment on their own. Eight four% mothers said that allopathic medicines should not be used without consulting a qualified doctor, 19.5% mothers considered that the consultation from the doctor for the last episode of ARI in their children was delayed