Introduction
Hajj refers to the major pilgrimage to the Holy Mosque in Mecca, carried out over 5 days on the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. It is obligatory for each adult Muslim, physically and financially capable, to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime. During Hajj period Mecca and Medina faced many problems in terms of burden from environmental hazards, behavior issues, spread of diseases, and burden from underlying diseases of Hajjis. The increased number of Hajjis not only creates the problem of accommodation but also problems related to food shortage, insufficient water supplies and increased chances of motor vehicle crashes. The objectives of this study were to describe the demographic differentials of Hajjis utilizing PHCCs services in Mina over the days 8 to 12 Dulhijjah in 1434(2014) and to identify the morbidity pattern of Hajjis during their stay in Mina using the temporary medical records used by the PHCCs in Mina.
Methodology
A descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted during the Hajj season 1435 H, in Mina at selected Governmental primary health care centers based on Systematic random samples were selected from the temporary paper medical records collected at PHCCs , over 4 days 793 patients from 10 PHCCs based on that PHCCs using temporary paper medical records during days 8-12 Dulhijjah in Mina, Hajj 1434H (2014G).
Results
There was variable workload between the PHCCs in Mina. Some primary health care centers had heavy daily workload ( PHCC-4&PHCC-3) while others did not (PHCC-12) ,the number of patients was at the minimal level on day 9 and maximum level on day 11 .The distribution of the patients during working shifts was mostly during the morning shift(62%). the majority of the cases 653 (82.3%) were males vs 140 (17.7%) females . Most of cases349(48.2%) fell in age category ( 25-44) followed by 312(43.1%) fell in age category less than 25 years . Most of the patients were Arabs 324 (43.4%) ,followed by South Asian 264 (35.3%) , Saudi Arabia 100 (13.4%) , Non-Arab Africa 25 (3.3%) ,Southeast Asia 19(2.5%) and only 1(0.1%) Iranians. According to the diseases pattern, more than half of the patients were suffering from
The great majority of the patients (71%) were suffering from one disease, (20.1%) had two diseases while only ( 9 %) had three and more diseases . The most frequently occurring diseases were those pertaining to respiratory system 423(52.7%), followed by skin diseases 169(21.3%) and diseases related to gastrointestinal system 103 (13.0%). Among circulatory disorder & Metabolic disorder 39 (4.9%) and Rheumatic 36 (4.5%).
Among all nationalities, respiratory diseases were the commonest (52.9%), while skin diseases was high among Arab 85(26.2%)followed by South Asia 47 ( 17.8%) ,Gastrointestinal diseases were highest among Arab followed by Southeast Asia , injury and poisoning common among South Asia 22(8.3%).
Among all patients , 24.3% of them received one medication and 33.3% received tow and (38.6%) received three and above. The most frequently prescribed groups of drugs were the analgesics and antipyretics (70.2%) followed by antibiotics (40.9%) , antihistamines (21.4%) others (22.2%) and Dextromethorphan syrup (16.4%).
Conclusion
From this study we concluded that regarding patients attending selected PHCCs in Mina PHCCs during days 8-12 Dulhijjah, attendance was greater during the morning shift, male Hajjis were more than female, and the more common age group was 25- 44 years old .Work load was varied among PHCCs, and most of the patients were Arabs.
Most of the patients suffered from respiratory diseases followed by skin conditions and GIT related diseases, were comparatively more common among middle to old age group of patients, very few patients referred to hospital. The most prescribed medications were analgesics and antibiotics.