KAP Study of the Physicians Sending to Umrah in the Field of Common Diseases in 2011

Cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal diseases, traumas and women's health issues are the most important health and care problems during the Hajj season. In this regard, the early and timely diagnosis and proper treatment of the patients are very important. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and performance of physicians sending to Umrah in the field of common diseases in pilgrimage. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Mecca and Medina in 2011. By using questionnaire, the needed demographic information was collected. 40 of physicians were studied in order to measure the knowledge, attitude, and performance of GPs. The results showed that the knowledge score was in an average level (5/59 ± 0/08), attitude and performance scores were both good (33/81 ± 2/15) and (5/57 ± 0/7) respectively. Cardiovascular diseases were at the lowest level of knowledge and the lowest performance score was related to the use of appropriate drugs in the treatment of respiratory diseases. According to this study, there is a lack of education about common diseases related to heart disease, cardiovascular and respiratory problems which present the need of re-programming for physicians’ training and set up the continuous education programs for general practitioners in the field of mentioned diseases before sending.