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Hand hygiene knowledge and practices, and rates of respiratory tract infections between Hajj and Umrah pilgrims: a comparative study
, 5, 6789, 293
Affiliations- Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
- Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
- New South Wales Biocontainment Centre, New South Wales Ministry of Health, Westmead, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Susan Wakil School of Nursing, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Public Health Unit, Centre for Population Health, Western Sydney Local Health District, North Parramatta, Australia
- Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
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Abstract
Background: Hajj and Umrah mass gatherings (MGs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amplify the risk of viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs), but there is a lack of comparative data from these two MGs. This study aims to compare pilgrims’ hand hygiene knowledge, practices, and rates of RTIs during the peak periods of Umrah and Hajj in 2021. Materials and methods: The datasets of this comparative study were obtained from two previously conducted studies that used similar study tools and identical syndromic definitions. The binary logistic regression was applied to compare the categorical variables and, a t-test was used to compare the continuous variables. Results: A total of 510 Hajj pilgrims and 507 Umrah pilgrims were recruited. The majority of Hajj pilgrims (68%) were ≥ 40 years old, while most Umrah pilgrims (63%) were < 40 years old. The mean total knowledge scores of hand hygiene between the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims differed significantly (4.1 vs. 3.7, respectively, p < 0.001) so did their compliance with frequent use of alcohol-based hand rubs (53.0% vs. 36.3%, respectively, p < 0.001) and the rates of RTIs (4.7% vs. 2.2%, respectively, p = 0.05). Conclusions: These differences could be attributable to the distinctive characteristics of Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, and the unique differences in risks posed by those MGs.
Abstract
Background: Hajj and Umrah mass gatherings (MGs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amplify the risk of viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs), but there is a lack of comparative data from these two MGs. This study aims to compare pilgrims’ hand hygiene knowledge, practices, and rates of RTIs during the peak periods of Umrah and Hajj in 2021. Materials and methods: The datasets of this comparative study were obtained from two previously conducted studies that used similar study tools and identical syndromic definitions. The binary logistic regression was applied to compare the categorical variables and, a t-test was used to compare the continuous variables. Results: A total of 510 Hajj pilgrims and 507 Umrah pilgrims were recruited. The majority of Hajj pilgrims (68%) were ≥ 40 years old, while most Umrah pilgrims (63%) were < 40 years old. The mean total knowledge scores of hand hygiene between the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims differed significantly (4.1 vs. 3.7, respectively, p < 0.001) so did their compliance with frequent use of alcohol-based hand rubs (53.0% vs. 36.3%, respectively, p < 0.001) and the rates of RTIs (4.7% vs. 2.2%, respectively, p = 0.05). Conclusions: These differences could be attributable to the distinctive characteristics of Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, and the unique differences in risks posed by those MGs.
Keywords
Hajj, Umrah, hand hygiene, mass gathering, pilgrim, respiratory tract infection
About this articleTitle
Hand hygiene knowledge and practices, and rates of respiratory tract infections between Hajj and Umrah pilgrims: a comparative study
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
92-97
Published online
2023-06-30
Page views
1361
Article views/downloads
397
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
IMH 2023;74(2):92-97.
Keywords
Hajj
Umrah
hand hygiene
mass gathering
pilgrim
respiratory tract infection
Authors
Aqel Albutti
Hashim A. Mahdi
Ameen S. Alwashmi
Ramon Z. Shaban
Harunor Rashid
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