Patterns of diseases and preventive measures among domestic hajjis from Central, Saudi Arabia [complete republication]

To identify the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections [URTI], diarrheal diseases and trauma during the Hajj season, and the practice of some preventive measures by pilgrims. A cohort study during November and December 2009 among hajjis registered while visiting Primary Health Care Centers of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to get mandatory meningococcal meningitis vaccination. On return from hajj, hajjis were contacted on telephone to collect information on occurrence of URTI and diarrhea along with other associated activities in Hajj. Out of 1507 hajjis, 54.7% developed symptoms; 97% reported upper respiratory tract symptoms, and 9.3% reported diarrheal symptoms. Those <40 years of age were more likely to develop an URTI. The incidence of diarrheal diseases or trauma was not statistically associated with age. No statistical difference for educational level was found for URTI or trauma, but there was a statistically significant difference for diarrheal diseases. There was no statistical difference for nationality in relation to diarrheal diseases and trauma, but there was a statistically significant difference for URTI. There was a statistically significant difference of URTI between those pilgrims who used the face mask most of the time and those who used it sometimes. Upper respiratory tract infections is a common health problem among studied domestic hajjis. Generally, there is room for improvement in the adoption of preventive measures by hajjis; and there is still limited information on the use of facemasks in spite of the fact that using it significantly decreases the risk for URTI

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

Evaluation of syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections in Saudi Arabia

STIs can lead to acute symptoms, chronic infection and serious delayed consequences such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, cervical cancer and the untimely death of infants and adults. To identify the points of strength and weakness in the system for management of sexually transmitted infections [STIs] and pattern of distribution of reported cases in Saudi Arabia. Data of 5377 reported cases of STIs from all regions of the kingdom during the year 2009 were collected. The original data collection sheets were collected from primary health care centers in all regions of the kingdom, entered into Epi-Info software computer program, organized and statically analyzed. Average monthly reporting was variable between 163.4 cases and 3.3 cases. Age group of 20-40 represented 70.7% of reported cases with the majority Saudis [92%], females [92.9%], literate [59.2%] and married [91.0%]. Housewives represented 62% followed by the unemployed [17.3%]. The age at first sexual experience ranged from 15 to 25 [81.0%] which was mostly with other sex [95.1%]. HIV testing was performed by only 3.0% of reported cases. Vaginal discharge was the most frequent diagnosis [77.6%] followed by lower abdominal pain [42.3%]. Urethral discharge and lower abdominal pain differed significantly in relation to sex while scrotal swelling and lower abdominal pain were statistically different in relation to nationality. Vaginal discharge, cervical inflammation and abdominal pain differed significantly in relation to age. Syndromic surveillance of STIs is essential to decrease STIs and control human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infections. There is a need to build capacity of primary health care workers to collect accurate and valid data. Monitoring and evaluation activities are essential to promote program activities

Pandemic influenza A [HINI] in Saudi Arabia: description of the first one hundred cases

In April 2009, the World Health Organization [WHO] declared pandemic influenza A [H1N1] "public health emergency of international concern". On June 11, 2009, WHO raised the pandemic alert level to phase 6, indicating a global pandemic. By December 2009, more than 208 countries and territories had reported swine flu cases. The descriptive epidemiology of the first reported 100 cases of this virus in Saudi Arabia are summarized in this report. Data were collected from 1 June to 3 July, 2009 using a predesigned questionnaire. Questionnaires were filled by Field Epidemiology Training Program residents. Data for the first 100 complete cases of confirmed pandemic influenza A [H1N1] were compiled and analyzed. The age of reported cases was in the range of 1 to 56 years. The highest percentage of cases was in the age group of 20 to 30 years followed by the age group of 1 to 10 years. Females represented 55% of the cases; imported cases represented 47%, 58% of whom had come via the King Khaled Airport. The most common nationalities most were from Saudi Arabia and the Philippines. The main symptoms were fever [56%], cough [54%], and sore throat and the number of cases was seen to peak from the 27 to 29 June. Pandemic influenza A [H1N1] is still a threat to Saudi Arabia. Thus, comprehensive and effective measures for surveillance and prevention of the disease are needed to control its spread