Association Between Tatbir-Related Head Injuries and Hemorrhagic Shock on the 10th of Muharram, 1445 Hijri at Imamein Kadhimain Medical City

Abstract

Hypovolemic shock, defined as a decrease in circulating blood volume, is the most common type of shock and is a life-threatening condition. It is classified into two categories: Hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic shock. One of the yearly mass-gathering events that often involves traumatic bleeding is Ashura on the 10th of Muharram. A religious ritual in this ceremony, Tatbir, involves making a superficial laceration on the scalp using a sword or cleaver. This study aims to investigate any association between Tatbir and hemorrhagic shock. This cross-sectional study included 50 patients who practiced Tatbir and 50 patients who experienced head bleeding due to other causes, comparing these groups for incidence of hemorrhagic shock and blood transfusion needs using the chi-square test. The sterilization method of the swords was also assessed, with only 58% of the swords being sterilized. There were 12 patients who experienced hemorrhagic shock and 5 patients who required a blood transfusion. In conclusion, the study found no significant association between Tatbir and hemorrhagic shock, nor with the need for blood transfusion.