Awareness and Attitude toward Infection Control among medical specialties during Hajj in Saudi Arabia, 2026

Abstract

Background
Hajj and Umrah are significant Islamic pilgrimages attracting millions of Muslims annually to Saudi Arabia. These mass gatherings pose unique health care workers health challenges, particularly awareness and Attitude toward infection control among medical specialties during in infection control standard. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent one of the major challenges to patient safety worldwide and medical specialties during Hajj in Saudi Arabia and continue to impose a substantial burden on healthcare systems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hundreds of millions of medical specialties acquire an HAI each year. Incidence rates are up to three times higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where infection prevention and control (IPC) infrastructure and implementation remains heterogeneous and often insufficient . The mass gathering of pilgrims during the Hajj season from different countries with various epidemiological backgrounds creates a situation, which increases the risk of spread of infection to both the visiting pilgrims and their contacts on return home and health care workers. Healthcare infection control standard among health care workers during Hajj infections have been a critical cause of morbidity and an undue burden in the healthcare system in Saudi Arabia.
Aim of Study: To assess awareness and Attitude toward Infection Control among medical specialties during Hajj in Saudi Arabia, 2026.
Methods: Through cross sectional study design a randomly selected sample of medical specialties during Hajj duties in 2026 were part of Hajj. Participants were taken from different Makkah region primary health care. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to assess awareness and Attitude toward Infection Control among medical specialties of (300) medical specialties.
Results: most of the participants (30.0%) were in the age group(30-49) years follow by the age 50-60 were (27.0%) followed by 30-39 years were (23.0) Conclusion: Our Favorable attitudes were observed, but variations in awareness and risk perception highlight the need to need strengthen awareness and Attitude toward Infection Control among medical specialties . As infection control routine trainings are limited, gaps have identified in knowledge and practice of infection control during the Hajj.