Travel medicine is a rapidly evolving branch that is becoming increasingly more important. Hajj is a very stressful endeavor. In addition to the regular medicines used by chronically ill patients, a number of hajjis bring with them a variety of other medications. This practice raises the question of the real utility of the medical supplies during Hajj and the ability of hajjis to judiciously use these medicines in the absence of medical supervision.
Methodology
A cross-sectional self-administered question-based survey was conducted among those staying in Mina Arab hajjis; both local and international on days 10 and 11, of Dhu Al-Hijja, 1427H. A map was used to divide Mina into colored zones by nationalities and the area of Arab hajjis was identified. The colored zones were subdivided into equal areas. A two-stage cluster random sampling selecting 20-25 Hajjis from each cluster. This resulted in a sample size of 533 hajjis.
Results
More than half of hajjis were in 25-44 years age group. Their mean age and Standard Deviation (± S.D) was 38.7 years ±12.7 years. Chronic health diseases are a common problem facing many hajjis. Carrying medications and a medical supply with hajjis seems to be a known phenomenon. This study revealed that not all hajjis with chronic health diseases carried enough medications, which may increase their risk of getting a crisis of their chronic illness. The poor hajji's knowledge of indications and side effects of the most commonly carried medications was scored in over half of hajjis, which should motivate the health authorities to increase health awareness of hajjis, to avoid hurting themselves or other hajjis who share medications with them. Domestic hajjis were younger than international hajjis and this was reflected in the type of medications and medical supplies they carried. The prevalence of chronic diseases was higher among international hajjis.
Conclusion
The performance of Hajj is obligatory on all adult Muslims who have the means to make the trip to the Holy City of Makkah. Chronic health diseases are a common problem facing many hajjis, requiring them to take medications daily and regularly in order to maintain their health, especially during Hajj where good health and fitness is an essential tool. Carrying medications and a medical supply with hajjis seems to be a known phenomenon. However, this study revealed that not all hajjis with chronic health diseases carried enough medications with them, which may increase their risk of getting a crisis of their chronic illness if they ran out of their medications. This study also showed the poor level of knowledge among hajjis regarding the common indications and side effects of these medications, which should motivate the health authorities to increase health awareness of hajjis, to avoid hurting themselves or other hajjis who share medications with them. Domestic hajjis were younger than international hajjis and this was reflected in the type of medications and medical supplies they carried. The prevalence of chronic diseases was higher among international hajjis. Higher and significant bronchial asthma prevalence was found among the younger age group in Saudi Arabia. Hajjis face a lot of Hajj related conditions and injuries during Hajj necessitating a special educational program implemented for this purpose.