Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To explore the prevalence of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in Taif via molecular diagnosis method, to enhance the clinical decision making and the need for vaccination strategies. METHODS: A 5864 participants were enrolled in this study, all from Taif city. Samples were collected via nasal swab, throat swab, or sputum sample. The duration of the study were 24 months from January 2023 to December 2024. Samples were transported in viral transport medium. Then processed using GeneXpert system. Fluorescent probes detected viral RNA and reported as detected or not detected. Chi-square test was applied for statistical analysis purposes. RESULTS: A total of 228 (3.9%) detected viral RTIs. FLU A was the most common (71.07%), followed by FLU B (17.11%), SARS-CoV-2 (5.75%), and RSV (3.5%). Few cases of H1N1 were detected. The most common affected age group were pre-school, and family medicine ward was highest. Viral RTIs co-infection was detected. CONCLUSION: Our study highlighted the impact of RTIs, especially influenza as the leading cause. Pre-school age group was mostly affected due to their developing immune system. The high burden of RTIs management was on the primary care ward, family medicine handled the highest percentage of cases. RTIs have caused several pandemics in the recent year, and developing in vaccination and diagnostic tools can enhance the efficacy and improving the patient's management, which can relief the burden on health care system.