Carriage of Neisseria meningitidis among travelers attending the Hajj pilgrimage, circulating serogroups, sequence types and antimicrobial susceptibility: A multinational longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Travel to international mass gatherings such as the Hajj pilgrimage increases the risk of Neisseria meningitidis transmission and meningococcal disease. We investigated carriage and acquisition of N. meningitidis among travelers to Hajj and determined circulating serogroups, sequence types and antibiotic susceptibility among isolates.

Undiagnosed and missed active pulmonary tuberculosis during mass gatherings: a prospective cross-sectional study from the Hajj pilgrimage.

Mass gatherings increase the risk of infectious diseases transmission including tuberculosis (TB). The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is attended by over 2 million pilgrims many of whom are from high TB-burden countries, and has been linked to increased risk of TB acquisition among travellers. We investigated the burden of undiagnosed and missed active pulmonary TB (PTB) among Hajj pilgrims symptomatic for cough.

Carriage of Among Umrah Pilgrims: Circulating Serogroups and Antibiotic Resistance.

Background: Meningococcal disease and outbreaks are a risk during mass gatherings such as the Umrah religious pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We aimed to investigate the carriage of among the 2019 Umrah pilgrims and determine the circulating serogroups and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among adult Umrah pilgrims from 17th to 29th April 2019 in Mecca city, KSA.

Pattern of utilization, disease presentation, and medication prescribing and dispensing at 51 primary healthcare centers during the Hajj mass gathering.

Background: The majority of pilgrims seeking healthcare during Hajj are seen at primary healthcare centers (PHCCs). Data on the utilization of these facilities during Hajj can aid in directing optimal health services delivery and allocation of resources during the pilgrimage.

Method: We investigated the pattern of disease presentation, caseload, and medication prescribing and dispensing at 51 PHCCs during the 2019 Hajj.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceived Risks Towards COVID-19 Pandemic and the Impact of Risk Communication Messages on Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: To investigate knowledge, attitude, and perceived risks towards COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia. Besides, the impact of risk communication strategy on the attitude and practice of HCWs was investigated.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that targeted HCWs from various Saudi health facilities.

Gastrointestinal symptoms and knowledge and practice of pilgrims regarding food and water safety during the 2019 Hajj mass gathering.

Background: Food and water-borne diseases (FWBDs) are a health risk at the Hajj mass gathering. The current study documented the prevalence and management of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms among pilgrims during the 2019 Hajj and assessed their knowledge and practice concerning food and water safety.

Method: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Macca, Saudi Arabia, among adult Hajj pilgrims from 28 countries.

Insulin Knowledge, Handling, and Storage among Diabetic Pilgrims during the Hajj Mass Gathering.

Background: Diabetes is one of the most common underlying health conditions among Hajj pilgrims. Many diabetics manage their condition using insulin, which requires appropriate storage conditions to maintain its stability and effectiveness. We aimed to investigate insulin knowledge, storage, and handling among diabetic pilgrims during Hajj to identify specific areas for improvement.

Medication Handling and Storage among Pilgrims during the Hajj Mass Gathering.

We aimed to investigate the knowledge and practices of Hajj pilgrims regarding medication storage and handling during the Hajj mass gathering. In this cross-sectional study, adult pilgrims from 30 countries were interviewed using a structured questionnaire during the 2019 Hajj. The study enrolled 1221 participants with a mean age of 50.

A Longitudinal Study Regarding the Health Profile of the 2017 South African Hajj Pilgrims.

The Hajj mass gathering annually attracts over two million Muslim pilgrims worldwide to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We aimed to establish demographics and health profiles for the South African pilgrims performing the 2017 Hajj. This is a longitudinal survey-based study conducted on 1138 adult South African pilgrims in two phases (during and post-Hajj).

Risk Communication Effectiveness During COVID-19 Pandemic Among General Population in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19), declared a pandemic by WHO in March 2020, is an unprecedented occurrence in our recent history. Effective risk communication by health authorities, through relaying reliable and authoritative information, is imperative in combating the spread of the outbreak. We aimed to measure the effectiveness of risk communication campaign and overall awareness during COVID-19 pandemic among the general population in Saudi Arabia.

Adherence of Healthcare Workers to Saudi Management Guidelines of Heat-Related Illnesses during Hajj Pilgrimage.

Heat-related illnesses (HRIs), such as heatstroke (HS) and heat exhaustion (HE), are common complications during Hajj pilgrims. The Saudi Ministry of Health (MoH) developed guidelines on the management of HRIs to ensure the safety of all pilgrims. This study aimed to assess healthcare workers' (HCWs) adherence to the updated national guidelines regarding pre-hospital and in-hospital management of HRIs.

Prevalence of Diabetes and Hypertension among Hajj Pilgrims: A Systematic Review.

The Hajj mass gathering is attended by over two million Muslims each year, many of whom are elderly and have underlying health conditions. Data on the number of pilgrims with health conditions would assist public health planning and improve health services delivery at the event. We carried out a systematic review of literature based on structured search in the MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS and CINAHL databases, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, to estimate the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension among Hajj pilgrims.

Medication utilization pattern among outpatients during the Hajj mass gathering.

Background: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) provides free healthcare, including medications, for the over 2 million Muslim pilgrims who attend Hajj every year. Information on drug utilization patterns at the Hajj is important to strengthen the supply chain for medicines, avert stock-outs, identify inappropriate use, and support public health planning for the event.

Method: We investigated drug utilization pattern among outpatients in eight seasonal Holy sites hospitals in Makkah, KSA, during the 2018 Hajj.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Pilgrims Regarding Heat-Related Illnesses during the 2017 Hajj Mass Gathering.

The Hajj mass gathering attended by over two million Muslim pilgrims from around the world is a risk for heat-related illnesses (HRIs). We investigated the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of pilgrims attending the 2017 Hajj regarding HRIs and their prevention. Adult pilgrims (1801) from six countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.

Management of hospitalized drug sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis patients during the Hajj mass gathering: A cross sectional study.

Background: To document the management of drug-sensitive TB patients during the Hajj and assess compliance with the Saudi TB management guidelines.

Method: The study was conducted in hospitals in Makkah during the 2016 and 2017 Hajj seasons. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on relevant indices on TB management and a scoring system was developed to assess compliance with guidelines.

Acquisition of respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens among health care workers during the 2015 Hajj season.

Background: Data on the risk of transmission of infection to health care workers (HCWs) serving ill pilgrims during the Hajj is scarce.

Methods: Two cohorts of HCWs, the first serving Hajj pilgrims in Mecca and the second serving patients in Al-Ahsa, were investigated for respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms and pathogen carriage using multiplex polymerase chain reaction before and after the 2015 Hajj.

Results: A total of 211 HCWs were enrolled of whom 92 were exposed to pilgrims (Mecca cohort), whereas 119 were not exposed (Al-Ahsa cohort).

Tuberculosis knowledge, attitude and practice among healthcare workers during the 2016 Hajj.

Background: Given the inherent characteristics of the Hajj pilgrimage, the event is a risk for tuberculosis (TB) infection. Early diagnosis and appropriate management of TB cases by knowledgeable and skilled healthcare workers (HCWs) are key in improving patients' outcome and preventing transmission during the Hajj mass gathering and globally.

Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of HCWs deployed during the 2016 Hajj regarding TB and its management using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire.

Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) survey regarding antibiotic use among pilgrims attending the 2015 Hajj mass gathering.

Background: Overuse and misuse of antibiotics have been reported in Hajj. However, little is known about Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of pilgrims themselves in relation to these agents.

Methods: Adult pilgrims from seven countries attending the 2015 Hajj were interviewed using a structured KAP questionnaire.

Proportion of adult community-acquired pneumonia cases attributable to Streptococcus pneumoniae among Hajj pilgrims in 2016.

Background: The Hajj mass gathering is a risk for pneumococcal disease. This study was performed to evaluate the proportion of adult community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) cases attributable to Streptococcus pneumoniae among Hajj pilgrims in 2016. To add sensitivity to etiological attribution, a urine antigen test was used in addition to culture-based methods.