Work

Critical determinants of morbidity and adverse outcomes during the Hajj using the Haddon matrix and the combined model

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, attracts around two million Muslims from across the globe, making it one of the world's largest mass gatherings. This event is associated with different public health challenges due to the scale of participation, the diversity of attendees, the complexity of the rituals, and the extreme physical and environmental conditions individuals encounter on their pilgrimage. This study employed the Haddon Matrix and Combined Model frameworks to categorize risk factors into pre-event, during-event, and post-event phases. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, and data were extracted from peer-reviewed articles on health outcomes associated with Hajj. Factors across human, environmental, and agent domains were analyzed, and the effectiveness of various public health strategies to reduce adverse outcomes during Hajj was assessed. This study comprehensively examined the factors contributing to morbidity and adverse outcomes during Hajj. Cardiovascular diseases, respiratory infections, and heat-related illnesses were identified as the primary causes of morbidity, and older adults and individuals with pre-existing conditions were more affected.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-23504-y

Authors: Yasir Almuzaini, Fahad Alamri, Lamis Alabdullatif, Anas Khan

Institutions: Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Ministry of Health, King Saud University

Language: English

Topic: Travel-related health issues

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690