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- Title
Morbidity amongst South African Hajj pilgrims in 2023—a retrospective cohort study.
- Authors
Mahomed, Ozayr; Jaffer, Mohammed Nasir; Parker, Salim
- Abstract
South Africans are not accustomed to the dry arid climate and sweltering heat in Saudi Arabia. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to identify the common health conditions pre-Hajj, during the 5 days of Hajj and on return to South Africa from Hajj amongst the 2023 pilgrims. A QR code and a mobile link to a self-administered questionnaire was sent to all 3500 South African pilgrims. Five hundred and seventy-seven pilgrims returned the completed surveys. Mean age of the participants was 48 years (SD 12) with a higher female representation (3:2). Forty eight percent (279) had pre-existing chronic conditions. Forty five percent (259) reported being ill during their stay in the Kingdom, 20% (115) reported having an illness during the main 5 days, whilst 51% (293) reported having an illness within 7 days of returning to South Africa. Only six pilgrims were admitted to hospital after their return home. Respiratory tract linked symptoms were the most frequently reported (95% pre Hajj and 99% post Hajj). Participants who reported having a chronic condition (AOR 1.52 95% CI 1.09–2.11) and engaging in independent exercising prior to Hajj (AOR 1.52–1.07–2.10) were at an increased likelihood of developing an illness within 7 days of returning home. Post travel surveillance swabs to identify potential pathogens that the returning pilgrims are incubating should be explored to guide further interventions.
- Subjects
SOUTH Africa; SAUDI Arabia; PILGRIMAGE to Mecca; PILGRIMS &; pilgrimages; SOUTH Africans; COHORT analysis; TWO-dimensional bar codes
- Publication
Scientific Reports, 2024, Vol 14, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2045-2322
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/s41598-024-62682-z