Rhinology & Otology

Biography

Biography: Nawaf Hassan Fatani

Abstract

Objective: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is becoming a global health concern and with higher risk of transmission during Hajj. The purpose of this study is to assess awareness of pilgrims about this disease and to determine important aspects for future pilgrims’ education plans.
Methods: During Hajj 2015, a questionnaire on MERS-CoV was prepared in 7 languages (Arabic, English, French, Urdu, Malayalam, Indonesian and Turkish). Questionnaires were distributed inside Makkah to 2350 pilgrims from 33 different countries with the help of 56 medical students. Exclusion criteria were illiterate pilgrims and those speaking non-included languages. Pilgrims’ demographics and responses to different questions about MERS-CoV were tabulated and analyzed.
Results: A total of 2302 pilgrims (97.9%) have responded to the questionnaire, only 1156 (50.2%) reported they have heard about MERS-CoV. Out of these, 75.5% did not know about diarrhea as a presenting symptom, 33% believed the disease has a vaccine, (43.9%) is the percentage of pilgrims who thought they are not following the appropriate measures and did not know about these measures to avoid the infection, and 40.5% did not know what to do after exposure to a patient. TV was a valuable source of information for 62.8% of pilgrims, Internet 38.3% and teaching flyers for only 19.5% of them.
Conclusion: There is significant need for pilgrims’ education about MERS-CoV. The lack of appropriate orientation of pilgrims about the disease highlights the importance of awareness campaigns and teaching materials about MERS-CoV as well as other Hajj related health problems and catastrophes.