Abstract
Title: Asthma control and unscheduled care during the Hajj among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims: a descriptive observational study.
Background: One in five pilgrims with asthma presented with an unscheduled attendance or hospitalization during the Hajj.
Aim: To determine asthma control, incidence of unscheduled care and associations between them among Malaysian pilgrims attending the Hajj.
Methods: We administered questionnaires face-to-face to pilgrims with self-reported asthma who attended one of 14 primary care clinics pre-Hajj and conducted a telephone survey on the same group of pilgrims within three months post-Hajj. Data on sociodemography, asthma control (GINA questionnaire), unscheduled care attendances and hospitalisation due to asthma during pilgrimage were obtained.
Results: We surveyed 105 pilgrims with asthma pre-Hajj; 90 participated post-Hajj. Pre-Hajj, 33(31.4%) had poorly controlled (partly or uncontrolled) asthma; 63(60%) were not using preventer in the last 12 months; 71(67.7%) had no regular follow up, and 94(89.5%) had no asthma action plan provided. During Hajj, 58(64.4%) had poorly controlled asthma (p<0.001), 29(32.2%) had an attack (p=0.018) and 34(37.8%) had unscheduled outpatient visits for asthma related event (mean 1.5; range 1–4); 3 were hospitalized, none required assisted ventilation due to asthma. One pilgrim passed away due to non-asthma related cause.
Conclusion: This group of Malaysian pilgrims with asthma, had a substantial adverse health risk and healthcare utilisation during the pilgrimage. Addressing this risk is a priority.
Footnotes
Cite this article as Eur Respir J 2022; 60: Suppl. 66, 2670.
This article was presented at the 2022 ERS International Congress, in session “-”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2022