Health Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Among Iranian Pilgrims

Abstract

Background:Iran has the highest number of Umrah pilgrims among Islamic countries. Health care plays a major role in fulfilling the Umrah rites. Pilgrims' health situation depends on their health knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP).Objectives:In this study, we aimed to determine the health KAP among Iranian Umrah pilgrims.Patients and Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 157 Iranian Umrah pilgrims were randomly selected in Mecca, Saudi Arabia in June 2011. Data were collected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of demographic information (sex, age, degree of education, and resource of health knowledge), health knowledge (5 questions), health attitude (5 questions) and health practice (10 questions).Results:Level of knowledge were very low in 12.1%, low in 25.2%, average in 38.1%, good in 20.4% and very good in 4.2% of respondents. Mean and standard deviation of attitude score was 18.58 ± 2.20 out of 25 (ranged between 13.00 and 25.00). The pilgrims were given 74.2 % out of total score. The Mean and standard deviation of practice score was 8.19 ± 1.32 out of 10 (ranged between 3 and 10). Although the old and low educated pilgrims had little knowledge of health tips, they had a good health attitude and practice.Conclusions:Educational strategy to improve knowledge regarding health-related problems and to develop health practices among pilgrims is needed.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning Middle East respiratory syndrome among Umrah and Hajj pilgrims in Samsun, Turkey, 2015

“…Higher education level appeared to be linked to the intention to take precautions, but attitudes did not always change with knowledge. For example, Iranian pilgrims of old age and with low education level had little knowledge about health subjects, but they had a good health attitude and practice [17].…”

Pilot use of a novel smartphone application to track traveller health behaviour and collect infectious disease data during a mass gathering: Hajj pilgrimage 2014

“…In order to reduce the risk of ARI among Hajj pilgrims, the Saudi Arabian health authority recommends a range of infection control measures [4], however, compliance to these measures is highly variable [5][6][7][8]. Several studies have addressed pilgrim knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards preventive measures and infectious diseases, finding that their understanding about the potential severity of respiratory infection and the need for protective measures was inadequate [8][9][10][11][12][13]. Gautret et al [9] found that <50% of French pilgrims were aware of social distancing, available treatment options, and facemask use as precautionary measures against the spread of respiratory infections.…”

Evaluation of Iranian CRF and ESRD Patients admitted to Medical Centers of Mecca & Medina in Hajj travel of 2012 &2013; Causes & Outcome

“…In a study conducted on the reasons for sending pilgrims back to Iran in 2011, the majority of the reasons were psychiatric problems (65%), followed by neurologic problems (23%), respiratory problems (12%), and renal problems (1%) (44). In our study, just one person was sent to Iran due to cellulitis, osteomyelitis, and the need for amputation after Tashrigh days.…”

“…Another study investigated the causes of admission of Hajis during Mina and Arafat in 2003. In this study, 1487 patients were admitted, and 2.4% of them were due to renal diseases (44). This study had no focus on whether the renal disease was acute or chronic.…”