Faiza Samad, Zainab Hasan, Omar Ahmed.
Knowledge Of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome And Its Preventive Practices In Pakistani Pilgrims: A Cross Sectional Descriptive Survey.
Isra Med J Jan ;8(3):158-61.

OBJECTIVE: To determine awareness of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and prevention practices in Pakistani Hajj pilgrims, year 2014. STUDY DESIGN: A Crossectional Descriptive knowledge and practice study th th PLACE AND DURATION: At Makkah, Saudi Arabia between 7 October to 14 October 2014, immediately after Hajj 2014. METHODOLOGY: A structured questionnaire sampled a group of pilgrims from Pakistan, belonging to a single private sponsor. Out of 200 pilgrims in this group, 104(n) participated. Knowledge and practices regarding prevention of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and acute respiratory infections were asked. RESULTS: Of 104 pilgrims, 58.7% were male and 41.3 % were female with mean age of 43.2 SD ± 13.2 years. Overall 31.7% pilgrims knew the term Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Knowledge was significantly higher in age group 40 to < 60 years with a p-value of 0.025 at 95% confidence interval. Regarding preventive practices, 96.2% washed hands after toilet, 65.4% after interaction with sick people, 58.7% after sneezing and 43.3% after coughing. 60.6% covered their nose and mouth with handkerchief while sneezing/coughing and 58.7% disposed it in a waste bin. 37.5% avoided touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with their hands and used face masks. . Only hand washing after toilet use was adequate. CONCLUSION: MERS Awareness was low in the sample population; intending pilgrims should receive health education regarding knowledge and prevention of MERS and ARI as part of the Hajj training programs.

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