RESUMO
To analyse the pattern of patients attending the Out Patient Department [OPD] during the Hajj season 1423H with respect to their age, sex, nationality, services provided to them, and most importantly the disease trends and the medication given. A descriptive study was done at the OPD department in Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Holy Makkah for the 15 days period of the Hajj, i.e., 1-15 /12/1423 corresponding to 2-16/ 02/2003. All patients who arrived at the OPD during that time whether on Hajj or non-Hajj and those who registered at OPD service became part of our study. With the help of standard "Blue Form"[provided annually by Ministry of Health exclusively for the OPD patients for every Hajj season], their age, sex, nationality, clinics attended, diagnosis and medications were noted. The results revealed that 3876 patients arrived and 3856 got registration at OPD. Of the registered cases, 1282 [33%] were Hajj patients and of those 873 [22%] were males. The Hajj patients were mostly non-Saudi [30.8%]. The majority of patients, 384 [26.1%], were from the Middle East. The largest category, 240 [6.2%], of Hajj patients were in the age range 51-60 years. The medical clinic was the one attended by the maximum number of patients, 1675 [43.4%], and respiratory disease cases, 1582 [41%], were the commonest. Single medication as monotherapy accounted for 3644 [94.5%] of patients. Non-Hajj patients were in the majority at OPD. Respiratory diseases were the commonest complaints. This study highlights a precarious situation during the Hajj where cross-infection proliferates in a dense population. Effective services and preventative measures need to be contemplated in the light of the present finding