Uptake of Recommended Vaccines and Its Associated Factors Among Malaysian Pilgrims During Hajj and Umrah 2018

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the uptake of recommended vaccines and to identify the factors associated with the vaccines' uptake among Malaysian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. A cross-sectional survey among Malaysian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in 2018. The uptake of the recommended vaccines was surveyed through an anonymous self-administered questionnaire to pilgrims attending a pre-departure Hajj/Umrah orientation course. Descriptive statistics were used for elaborating the demographic characteristics and vaccines uptake of the respondents. Multiple logistic regression was used for predicting the factors associated with the vaccines' uptake. A total of 1,274 pilgrims participated in the study with a mean age (standard deviation) of 42.42 (15.6). A total of 833 (65.4%) participants were females and 232 of the participants (18.2%) had at least more than one chronic disease. The uptake of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines were 28.6% (364/1,274) and 25.4% (324/1,274), respectively. Among the 527 pilgrims who were “at increased risk” of infections, 168 (31.9%) and 184 (34.9%) received influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, respectively. Gender, marital status and occupation were the common predictors associated with vaccines uptake. The vaccination uptake among Malaysian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims is low and declining from previous years. Educating the pilgrims toward vaccine uptake is essential and exploring the barriers for vaccination.

Tracking Australian Hajj Pilgrims’ Health Behavior before, during and after Hajj, and the Effective Use of Preventive Measures in Reducing Hajj-Related Illness: A Cohort Study

“…Although our results cannot be generalized to all pilgrims, this study is the first of its kind to assess pilgrims’ KAP continuously throughout the Hajj journey to understand their health behaviors, experience of using preventative measures and the development of acute respiratory infections, and other symptoms of infections. In the meantime, studies conducted in France and Malaysia have shown that compliance to some preventive measures such as hand hygiene and face mask use has increased, while the uptake of recommended vaccines including influenza and pneumococcal vaccines still remains low [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]; therefore, awareness campaigns should be continued to tackle respiratory infections including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that, thus far, has taken a toll of over 200,000 people across the world (as of 27 April 2020) and affected many Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia [ 39 ]. To mitigate the epidemic, the Saudi Arabian authority has already temporarily cancelled Umrah (minor pilgrimage) visit to Makkah [ 40 ]; the decision on whether this year’s Hajj pilgrimage (late July to early August) should be cancelled or not remains to be decided and may depend on the progress of the pandemic [ 41 ].…”

A confirmatory factor analysis of the knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire towards prevention of respiratory tract infections during Hajj and Umrah

“…A cross-sectional study was carried out among Malaysian Umrah pilgrims attending a weekly Umrah orientation course organized by private Umrah tour companies from March to June 2018. This study was the second stage of a large study [ 24 – 26 ]. In the first stage, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis of the measurement tool [ 24 ].…”

Impact of a Smartphone-Based Health Education Intervention in Reducing the Incidence of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) During Hajj

“…However, none of the health educational intervention was based on any health behaviour theory to boost compliance with these preventive practices and increase their levels of knowledge towards respiratory tract infection, preventive attitudes and practices towards prevention strategies. Similarly, there is also low compliance with the preventive measures among Malaysian pilgrims [7,17]. Therefore, the objective of this study is to develop and evaluate the impact of health education intervention in reducing the incidence of ILI among Hajj pilgrims from Malaysia.…”