Saudi Arabia Scouts Association has a great opportunity to serve the pilgrims and facilitate their Hajj through Hajj General Services Camps. This study was conducted to describe the health services provided by Saudi Boy Scouts and to identify the health risks, to which they may be exposed during these activities
Methodology
A self-administered questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted.
Results
A total of 324 scouts participated in the study, Out of 311 stated their age, 181 (58.2%) were <20 years. Out of 324, 186 (57.4%) participated for the first time, 274 (84.6%) attended courses in first aid, 114 (35.2%) attended courses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 84 (26%) attended courses in disaster management, 86 (26.5%) attended courses in personal safety, and 36 (11.3%) did not attend any health related courses. 56.2% had a medical checkup prior to joining the Hajj duty. Out of 309, (34.3%) had a valid meningococcal vaccination. Out of 305 scouts, 39 (12.8%) received valid influenza vaccine. The majority of scouts i.e. 300 (92.6%), participated in guiding the pilgrims to find their way by guiding sick pilgrims to their camps after their recovery 99 (30.6%), guiding the patients in various health facilities 76 (23.5%), and helping medical staff in emergency situations 71 (21.9%). Out of 324 scouts 122 (37.7%) faced acute medical emergencies among pilgrims. During their activity 110 (34%) faced over crowded situations without face-masks, 15 (4.6%) got injured by sharp objects, 15 (4.6%) were exposed to body fluid, stool or urine of a patient, 13 (4%) were exposed to the blood of a patient or other person and 2 (0.6%) had a needle injury in a medical facility.
Conclusion
Scouts have a major contribution in guidance of pilgrims, assisting health care providers and providing first-aid to pilgrims during Hajj. Existing training courses have a significant association with the knowledge the scouts possess, but more focus is needed on health education for personal safety measures like regular use of face-mask, timing of meningococcal vaccination and communication skills.