Pattern of psychiatry morbidity during Hajj period at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To study the pattern and extent of psychiatric morbidity in the Hajj period (pilgrimage to Mecca by a Muslim).


METHODS
Study was conducted by psychiatry department and Health Research Centre, Al-Noor Specialist Hospital. We recorded demographic and clinical characteristics of all patients presenting during first two weeks of Zulhajjah, 1425H (11th to 24th of January 2005). Detailed clinical interviews were conducted by qualified psychiatrists and findings were recorded in semi-structured form. Diagnoses were made following the guidelines in clinical version of chapter V (Mental and Behavioral Disorders) of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). In difficult cases diagnosis was assigned by consensus between three psychiatrists.


RESULTS
During study period 92 patients presented. Males were dominant (54%). Mean age was 43 +/- 17. Highest proportion (52%) belonged to young adults followed by middle-aged (20%). Majority (48%) belonged to Saudi Arabia. Self-referrals were 66% and 52% presented as first episodes. Behavior, mood, and sleep were affected more commonly (65%, 63%, and 59% respectively). Physical symptoms were reported by 28% of patients. Highest number (34%) belonged to "Neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders" followed by "Mood disorders" (22%). Medical disorder was reported by 33% of patients. Medications were advised to 79% and psychiatric admission to 6.5% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study, important findings are outlined and discussed. Replication of study with increased sample size and planning of psychiatric services according to established need of population served particularly during hajj period is needed.
Masood
Khadija
K
Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Holy Makkah, KSA.
Gazzaz
Zohair J
ZJ
Ismail
Khalid
K
Dhafar
Khalid O
KO
Kamal
Ahmad
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research; D006693:Holidays / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007514:Islam / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution