title: "Your Health Essential for Your Hajj": Muslim pilgrims' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) during Hajj season.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Up to date, there have been no studies to evaluate pilgrims' knowledge, attitude and practices regarding MERS-CoV during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in order to see whether there is a need for these aspects to be improved.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey study was conducted with a convenience sampling. Participants were pilgrims, aged over 18, and able to speak Arabic or English. A self-administered structured questionnaire was distributed during Hajj season in Mecca. Descriptive and multiple linear regression analysis were used in data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and fifty-seven participants completed the study, 80% of whom were female, and the median (IQR) age was 35 (24.5-43.5) years. Pilgrims had moderately correct knowledge and accurate attitudes about MERS-CoV with median scores of 5 (IQR 4-7) and 6 (IQR: 5-7) respectively. Educational level and employment status were significantly associated with knowledge whereas gender and age were significantly associated with attitude and practices respectively (P < 0.05). The correlation between knowledge, attitude and practices was significant (correlation coefficient: 0.207; P < 0.05). Better knowledge was found to be a predictor for positive practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings will provide insight when designing future interventions to promote specific messages to enhance knowledge, change attitude and improve practice regarding MERS-CoV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Pharmacy Practice, School of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Dammam, Dammam, 31952, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: f.k.alhomoud@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Faten
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alhomoud
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Farah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alhomoud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000523:psychology* / Q000821:virology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D065207:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000821:virology; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014195:Travel / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Coronavirus; Hajj; MERS-CoV; Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; Respiratory tract infection