Infectious Diseases in Saudi Arabia

This presentation discusses the prevalence and control of infectious diseases in Saudi Arabia. It covers the common infectious diseases, public health and security initiatives, and the political, social, and economic disruptions caused by these diseases. The presentation also highlights the resources needed to prevent and control these diseases.

Presented by:
Infectious Diseases in Saudi
Arabia

Introduction
The prevalence of infectious disease have
reduced in Saudi Arabia but the overall rate
of incidence is very alarming
The infectious diseases hamper the quality
of life of the population casting a huge
impact on the economy of the country
(Ministry of Health [MoH] Saudi Arabia, 2018)

The Infectious Disease Threat
The common infectious disease in Saudi Arabia
include HIV/AIDS, Dengu Fever, Leishmaniasis,
Swine Influenza, Measles, Meningitis, Malaria,
Tuberculosis and other vector borne disease
(Ministry of Saudi Arabia, 2018).
The latest infectious disease outbreak in Saudi
Arabia include Middle East Respiratory
Syndrome by Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) during
the month of January, June, October and
November of 2018 (World Health Organization,
2018)

Public Health Initiatives
The main public health initiatives
taken by the government of Saudi
Arabia include:
Development of infection control
program
Providing proper infection control
education and awareness especially
in the Holy Sites’ health facilities
Providing seasonal vaccinations
(Ministry of Saudi Arabia, 2018a).

Security Initiatives
The main security initiative that was initiative by
the government of Saudi Arabia is giving proper
health education to the public about the spread
and control of the infectious disease. This is
mainly provided by the community health nursing
professionals (Jradi, Zaidan & Al Shehri, 2013)
Other initiatives taken by the MoH Saudi Arabia
include spreading security alerts about the
prevention of AIDs in Saudi Arabia through mass
media and social media (MOH News, (2018b)

Political, Social and Economic
Disruption
The main political disruption include misuse
of funding raised for the infectious disease
prevention and control
The social disruption include generation of
social isolation due to generation of
infectious disease
The economic disruption is mainly
highlighted through loss of life which leads
to loss of employment
(MoH Saudi Arabia, 2018)

Resources Needed
The main resources needed for the prevention
of infectious disease in Saudi Arabia include
1. Financial resources by the government for
health promotion
2. Availability of culturally competent nursing
professionals for proper education and
training
3. Social media awareness programs
4. Audio-visual aids

Conclusion
Thus from the above discussion it can be
concluded that
The main infectious diseases in Saudi Arabia are
Dengu Fever, Leishmaniasis, Swine Influenza,
Measles, Meningitis, Malaria, Tuberculosis and
other vector borne disease
 The public health initiative taken include health
promotion and education along with vaccination
Infectious diseases hamper the economy of
Saudi Arabia

References

Centre of Disease Prevention and Control.(2018). Health Information for Travelers to Saudi ArabiaHealthy
Travel Packing List. Access date: 2nd November 2018. Retrieved from:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/saudi-arabia/traveler/packing-list
Jradi, H., Zaidan, A., & Al Shehri, A. M. (2013). Public health nursing education in Saudi Arabia. Journal of
infection and public health, 6(2), 63-68.
Ministry of Saudi Arabia. (2018). Infectious Disease. Access date: 2nd November 2018. Retrieved from:
https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/HealthAwareness/EducationalContent/Diseases/Infectious/Pages/default.aspx
Ministry of Saudi Arabia. (2018a). MoH initiatives and Projects. Access date: 2nd November 2018. Retrieved
from: https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/Projects/Pages/pre.aspx
MOH News. (2018b). MOH: ‘1,191 New AIDS Cases in the Kingdom during 2015’. Access date: 2nd
November 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/MediaCenter/News/Pages/News-
2016-11-30-001.aspx
Regional Health Systems Observatory WHO. (2006). Health System profile of Saudi Arabia. Access date: 2nd
November 2018. Retrieved from: http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/documents/s17308e/s17308e.pdf
Seasonal Influenza. Access date: 2nd November 2018. Retrieved from:
https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/CCC/StaffRegulations/Influenza/Pages/default.aspx
The International Associations of National Public Health Institutes. (2018). Saudi Arabia Centers for Disease
Control. Access date: 2nd November 2018. Retrieved from: http://www.ianphi.org/whoweare/index.html
United Nations AIDs Organization. (2018). Saudi Arabia. Access date: 2nd November 2018. Retrieved from:
http://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/saudiarabia
World Health Organization. (2018). Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi
Arabia. Access date: 2nd November 2018. Retrieved from:
http://www.who.int/csr/don/01-november-2018-mers-saudi-arabia/en/

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