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Syndromic surveillance of respiratory-tract infections and hand hygiene practice among pilgrims attended Hajj in 2021: a cohort study.
Mahdi, Hashim A; Rashid, Harunor; Qashqari, Fadi S; Hariri, Sumyya H; Marglani, Osama A; Barasheed, Osamah; Albutti, Aqel; Alwashmi, Ameen S; Shaban, Ramon Z; Booy, Robert; Alfelali, Mohammad.
  • Mahdi HA; National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
  • Rashid H; The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
  • Qashqari FS; College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Jeddah, 23442, Saudi Arabia.
  • Hariri SH; National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia. harunor.rashid@health.nsw.gov.au.
  • Marglani OA; The Children's Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia. harunor.rashid@health.nsw.gov.au.
  • Barasheed O; Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia. harunor.rashid@health.nsw.gov.au.
  • Albutti A; Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 24381, Saudi Arabia.
  • Alwashmi AS; Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 24381, Saudi Arabia.
  • Shaban RZ; Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 24381, Saudi Arabia.
  • Booy R; The Executive Administration of Research and Innovation, King Abdullah Medical City in Holy Capital (KAMC-HC), Makkah, 24246, Saudi Arabia.
  • Alfelali M; Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, 51452, Saudi Arabia.
BMC Infect Dis ; 22(1): 578, 2022 Jun 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1910277
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The risk of transmission of viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs) is high in mass gatherings including Hajj. This cohort study estimated the incidence of symptomatic RTIs and hand hygiene compliance with its impact among Hajj pilgrims during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS:

During the week of Hajj rituals in 2021, domestic pilgrims were recruited by phone and asked to complete a baseline questionnaire. Pilgrims were followed up after seven days using a questionnaire about the development of symptoms, and practices of hand hygiene. Syndromic definitions were used to clinically diagnose 'possible' influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and COVID-19 infection.

RESULTS:

A total of 510 pilgrims aged between 18 and 69 (median of 50) years completed the questionnaire, 280 (54.9%) of whom were female, and all of them (except for one) were vaccinated against COVID-19 with at least one dose. The mean (± SD) of pilgrims' hand hygiene knowledge score (on a scale of 0 to 6) was 4.15 (± 1.22), and a higher level of knowledge was correlated with a higher frequency of handwashing using soap and water. Among those 445 pilgrims who completed the follow-up form, 21 (4.7%) developed one or more respiratory symptoms, of which sore throat and cough were the commonest (respectively 76.2% and 42.8%); 'possible ILI' and 'possible COVID-19' were present in 1.1% and 0.9% of pilgrims. Obesity was found to be a significant factor associated with the risk of developing RTIs (odds ratio = 4.45, 95% confidence interval 1.15-17.13).

CONCLUSIONS:

Hajj pilgrims are still at risk of respiratory infections. Further larger and controlled investigations are needed to assess the efficacy of hand hygiene during Hajj.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Respiratory Tract Infections / Virus Diseases / Hand Hygiene / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: BMC Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12879-022-07559-0

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Respiratory Tract Infections / Virus Diseases / Hand Hygiene / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: BMC Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12879-022-07559-0