How is Health Risks Condition in Gatherings of Pilgrims of Hosseini in Arbaeen?

Abstract

Background: The Arbaeen Hosseini pilgrimage is one of the largest annual mass gatherings in the world, attracting millions of devotees to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn, a revered figure in Shia Islam. These large-scale pilgrimages pose significant environmental health and public safety challenges. Evaluating the potential health risks associated with such mass events is crucial to ensuring the well-being of the participants and mitigating the impact on local communities. Objectives: This study aims to assess the health risks in the Arbaeen Hosseini pilgrimages comprehensively. Methods: The present study is a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted as a quantitative assessment of health risks in the gatherings of Arbaeen Hosseini pilgrims. This study used the mass gathering risk assessment tool (MGRAT), which was completed through interviews with experts, relevant officials, and pilgrims and direct observation of functional documentation. After collecting the data, the overall score and the scores obtained in each field were calculated and interpreted. This research was conducted between August and October 1402. Results: The assessment results indicate that the proportion of health threats is highest in the psychological field at 60%, followed by the management field at 56.75%, the health field at 35%, the environmental field at 26.66%, and the personal field at 16.66%. The total score obtained was 36. The current situation analysis has revealed a significant need to review the existing conditions and infrastructure. This indicates that there are high-risk factors for the participants. Based on the findings, the health and environmental risks are highly assessed. Furthermore, individual risks are reported to be very high, largely due to the participation of vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Conclusions: The sheer scale and density of the Arbaeen pilgrim gatherings and the logistical complexities of accommodating and providing for the millions of attendees create a unique set of environmental health concerns. Issues such as sanitation, water supply, food safety, disease transmission, and crowd management can quickly escalate and have far-reaching consequences if not addressed proactively. The findings of this study will inform policymakers, event organizers, and public health authorities in their efforts to mitigate the health-related challenges associated with mass pilgrimages. Further research is suggested to investigate the capacities and vulnerabilities of different mass gatherings.