Dynamics of scientific publications on the MERS-CoV outbreaks in Saudi Arabia

Journal of Infection and Public Health
Volume 10, Issue 6, November–December 2017, Pages 702-710

Ali A. Rabaan, Shamsah H. Al-Ahmed, Ali M.Bazzi, and Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq

Abstract

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging disease with a relatively high case fatality rate. Most cases have been reported from Saudi Arabia, and the disease epidemic potential is considered to be limited. However, human–human transmission has occurred, usually in the context of healthcare facility-associated outbreaks. The scientific and medical community depends on timely publication of epidemiological information on emerging diseases during outbreaks to appropriately target public health responses. In this review, we considered the academic response to four MERS CoV outbreaks that occurred in Al-Hasa in 2013, Jeddah in 2014 and Riyadh in 2014 and 2015. We analysed 68 relevant epidemiology articles. For articles for which submission dates were available, six articles were submitted during the course of an outbreak. One article was published within a month of the Al-Hasa outbreak, and one each was accepted during the Jeddah and Riyadh outbreaks. MERS-CoV epidemiology articles were cited more frequently than articles on other subjects in the same journal issues. Thus, most epidemiology articles on MERS-CoV were published with no preferential advantage over other articles. Collaboration of the research community and the scientific publishing industry is needed to facilitate timely publication of emerging infectious diseases.

Keywords

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, Outbreak, Epidemiology, Publication, Saudi Arabia, MERS-CoV

MERS-CoV infection: Mind the public knowledge gap

Journal of Infection and Public Health
Volume 11, Issue 1, January–February 2018, Pages 89-93

Amen Bawazir, Eman Al-Mazroo, Hoda Jradi, Anwar Ahmed, and Motasim Badria

Abstract

In August 2015, the Corona outbreak caused by Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was the 9th episode since June 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Little is known about the public awareness toward the nature or prevention of the disease. The aim of this work was to assess the knowledge of the adult population in Riyadh toward the MERS-CoV.

In this cross-sectional survey, a self-administrated questionnaire was distributed to randomly selected participants visiting malls in Riyadh. The questionnaire contained measurable epidemiological and clinical MERS-CoV knowledge level variables and relevant source of information.

The study included 676 participants. Mean age was 32.5 (±SD 8.6) years and 353 (47.8%) were males. Almost all participants heard about the corona disease and causative agent. The study showed a fair overall knowledge (66.0%), less knowledge on epidemiological features of the disease (58.3%), and good knowledge (90.7%) on the clinical manifestation of the MERS-CoV. Internet was the major (89.0%) source of disease information, and other sources including health care providers, SMS, television, magazines and books were low rated (all <25%). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis age ≤30 years (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.647, 95%CI 1.048–2.584, P = 0.030), male gender (OR = 1.536, 95%CI 1.105–2.134, P = 0.01), and no tertiary education (OR = 1.957, 95%CI 1.264–3.030, P = 0.003) were independent significant predictors of poor epidemiological knowledge.

This study concludes that there was inadequate epidemiological knowledge received by the public and the reliance mostly on the clinical manifestations to recognizing the MERS-CoV disease. Comprehensive public health education programs is important to increase awareness of simple epidemiological determinants of the disease is warranted.

Keywords

Corona virus, Attitude, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, MERS-CoV