Medical Challenges for Women and Ways or Strategies to Deal with Them During the Arbaeen Pilgrimage: A Qualitative Study Utilizing Content Analysis Approach

Abstract

Background: The Arbaeen pilgrimage is one of the largest annual gatherings in the world, drawing millions of participants from across the globe. The event’s vast scale poses significant health challenges, especially for women, who can be more vulnerable in crowded environments. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the medical challenges women face during the Arbaeen pilgrimage and to explore strategies for addressing them. Methods: This qualitative study employed a content analysis approach to explore the medical challenges faced by women during the Arbaeen pilgrimage. Using purposive sampling, 25 women and 12 healthcare providers — including healthcare professionals with at least two years of relevant experience — were selected. Data were gathered through semi-structured, in-depth interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis from March 2024 to June 2024. Results: Analysis of the interviews resulted in 171 merged codes, which were reviewed and organized into two main themes: Health problems and strategies for addressing these challenges. The first theme encompassed four categories: Types of medical issues, types of health problems, contributing factors, and challenges related to healthcare service centers. The second theme focused on suggestions for improving medical care and health services. Conclusions: Women taking part in the Arbaeen pilgrimage encounter various medical and health challenges. Recognizing these issues and developing targeted strategies can encourage self-care, help managers and policymakers prioritize interventions, and guide future research to overcome barriers to women’s participation in the pilgrimage.