JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The Arbaeenia mass gathering (MG) in Karbala is becoming one of the largest MGs in the world. The provision of basic health care and emergency services is essential to the safety of MG attendees. The local health infrastructure in Iraq struggles to meet the needs of the local community and is ill-prepared to serve the health needs of the millions of participants in the Arbaeenia MG.

Objective:

To describe the temporary health care facilities installed and run by local community to provide health care services for the Arbaeenia MG attendees in Karbala, Iraq.

Methods:

Methods:

We conducted this survey on all community-based health care facilities located along the last 22 kilometers (within Karbala official boundaries) of the road from Najaf to Karbala. A structured questionnaire used and filled through interviews with the health workers and direct observations. We collected information on the facilities, staff profile, type of services provided, and inventory of medical equipment, drugs and supplies besides basic information on infection control measures.

Results:

Results:

In total, 120 health facilities, staffed by 659 health workers were assessed. Only 15% (18) of the facilities were licensed by the MOH and 44% of health workers were health professionals. The medical services provided by the health workers included dispensing drugs (22%), caring for wounds/injuries (18%), measuring blood pressures/ blood sugar (21%) and giving injections (17%). Most of the medical problems encountered were musculoskeletal (97%); the least common problem treated was injuries (17%). The drugs available in the clinic were analgesics, drugs for gastro-intestinal and respiratory diseases, and antibiotics, with a range of 13%-100%. The average availability of these drugs in the facility was 7.3, on a scale of 10. Infection control practices existed in these facilities for individual protection, environmental sanitation, and medical waste disposal, with a range of 18%-100%. Most commonly available medical equipment was sphygmomanometer (72%), glucometer (70%) and stethoscope (63%).

Conclusions:

Conclusion: In spite of the shortage of trained human resources and inadequate basic medical equipment, drugs and supplies; community- based health facilities can significantly contribute to provide health care services to MG attendees. Iraq MOH is requested to ensure licensing of these facilities after ensuring fulfillment of the necessary standards.