Az El Camino zarándokút egészségügyi kockázatai.                         <i>Tanulságok és tanácsok</i>

Background Pilgrimages and travel to religious mass gatherings (MGs) are part of all major religions. This narrative review aims to describe some characteristics, including health risks, of the more well-known and frequently undertaken ones. Methods A literature search was conducted using keywords related to the characteristics (frequency of occurrence, duration, calendar period, reasons behind their undertaking and the common health risks) of Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish religious MGs. Results About 600 million trips are undertaken to religious sites annually. The characteristics vary between religions and between pilgrimages. However, religious MGs share common health risks, but these are reported in a heterogenous manner. European Christian pilgrimages reported both communicable diseases, such as norovirus outbreaks linked to the Marian Shrine of Lourdes in France, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs predominated at the Catholic pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, which documented 11 million attendees in 1 week. The Zion Christian Church Easter gathering in South Africa, attended by ~10 million pilgrims, reported mostly motor vehicle accidents. Muslim pilgrimages such as the Arbaeen (20 million pilgrims) and Hajj documented a high incidence of respiratory tract infections, up to 80% during Hajj. Heat injuries and stampedes have been associated with Hajj. The Hindu Kumbh Mela pilgrimage, which attracted 100 million pilgrims in 2013, documented respiratory conditions in 70% of consultations. A deadly stampede occurred at the 2021 Jewish Lag BaOmer MG. Conclusion Communicable and NCD differ among the different religious MGs. Gaps exists in the surveillance, reporting and data accessibility of health risks associated with religious MGs. A need exists for the uniform implementation of a system of real-time monitoring of diseases and morbidity patterns, utilizing standardized modern information-sharing platforms. The health needs of pilgrims can then be prioritized by developing specific and appropriate guidelines.

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South Africans Walking the Camino: Pilgrimage or Adventure

Kotzé

McKay

2020

AJHTL

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The Camino Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela is an institution that has been operative for more than 1200 years. The European summer months see hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, whether they be persons of faith, agnostics or even atheists, walking the different routes to the city of Santiago de Compostela in the north-west of Spain. To be officially recognised as a pilgrim, by the cathedral authorities, a participant must walk at least 100 km or travel 200 km by bicycle or on horseback along the route. Most carry their luggage with them, making them backpackers. They are usually on a tight budget, have flexible itineraries and opt for inexpensive basic accommodation. This explorative case study looks at the reasons why South Africans undertake the Camino. The results show that they represent a much older group as opposed to the typical Camino pilgrim or international backpacker. Unlike many other documented Camino pilgrims, men do not undertake the journey for religious or spiritual reasons; rather they embark on the trip to fulfil their leisure, recreational and adventurous inclinations. Their female counterparts see it as a personal challenge and a cathartic experience after having lived through a traumatic event. Lastly, some may use it as an opportunity to immerse themselves in their ancestral European heritage.

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Az El Camino zarándokút egészségügyi kockázatai. Tanulságok és tanácsok

Cited by 3 publications

References 25 publications

Medical Problems of Way of St. James Pilgrimage

Medical Problems of Way of St. James Pilgrimage

Sacred journeys and pilgrimages: health risks associated with travels for religious purposes

South Africans Walking the Camino: Pilgrimage or Adventure

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