Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance
Date Submitted: Apr 30, 2018
Open Peer Review Period: Jun 1, 2018 - Jun 15, 2018
Date Accepted: Aug 3, 2019
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Disease burden on health facilities in governorates South of Karbala during the Arbaeenia mass gathering, Iraq, 2014
ABSTRACT
Background:
Background:
Millions of Iraqi pilgrims travel annually from the southern governorates to Karbala and pass through Thiqar, Muthana, and Diwania governorates to join Arbaeenia mass gathering (MG) event. During this event, participants are at high risk for diseases and death and stifle local health care resources. Meanwhile, the MG mass causes considerable burden on health facilities in the hosting localities.
Objective:
Objective:
This study aims to estimate the disease burden on health facilities caused by the pilgrims passing through Thiqar, Muthana and Diwania governorates en route to Karbala governorate, Iraq.
Methods:
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted on all health facilities in three governorates (Thiqar, Muthana and Diwania) situated along the southern way to Karbala from Basra. The study started on December 11, 2014 and ended on December 24, 2014. The morbidity and mortality were collected from surveillance logbooks and death registers. Drug purchases data were obtained from the personnel in charge of the pharmacies. The study period was divided into three phases: pre MG event, the MG event and post MG event.
Results:
Results:
There were 884,834 events reported during the study. The majority of events were reported during the event (95%) and were attended mostly at mobile clinics (77%). The average daily events during the pre-event, event and post-event phases were 4,300; 56,040; and 4,548 events, respectively. Musculoskeletal disorders were the most common illness reported (55%). The average daily deaths were 43, 36, and 45 during the pre-event, event and post-event, respectively, and did not differ significantly. Cardiovascular diseases (43.5%), injuries (29.8%) and respiratory illnesses (12%) were the leading causes of deaths. Around 1.4 million US dollars were spent on drug purchases during the event.
Conclusions:
Conclusions:
Arbaeenia MG gathering causes tremendous disease and economic burden on governorates that pilgrims pass through to attend this MG event in Karbala governorates. Iraq Ministry of Health preparedness plan should consider the burden on the health facilities in these governorates.
Citation
Per the author's request the PDF is not available.
Copyright
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