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General surgical problems encountered in the Hajj pilgrims
1Department Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University Unit, Riyadh Medical Complex, PO Box 261283, Riyadh 11342, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. smsalamah@hotmail.com
Saudi Medical Journal
|July 28, 2005
Summary
This study analyzed general surgical admissions during Hajj, finding acute appendicitis and diabetic foot were most common. This data aids future healthcare planning for pilgrims.
Area of Science:
- General Surgery
- Public Health
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Pilgrimage events like Hajj present unique healthcare challenges due to population density and specific health needs.
- Effective planning for medical services is crucial for managing large patient volumes during religious gatherings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the pattern of general surgical admissions during the Hajj pilgrimage.
- To inform future planning for staff, costs, and resources in hospitals serving pilgrims.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of general surgical admissions in two major hospitals during the 1423 and 1424 Hajj seasons (2003-2004).
- Inclusion criteria: all general surgical admissions, excluding those deceased on arrival or in the emergency room.
Main Results:
- A total of 177 patients were admitted across both hospitals over two Hajj seasons.
- The most frequent causes for admission were acute appendicitis and diabetic foot.
- Surgical intervention was performed on 49.1% of patients, while 39% received conservative management.
Conclusions:
- Pilgrims represent a distinct patient population requiring specialized care considerations.
- Understanding admission patterns is vital for optimizing healthcare delivery and resource allocation for future Hajj events.