Health knowledge, attitude and practice among Iranian pilgrims

الملخص EN

Background : Iran has the highest number of Umrah pilgrims among Islamic countries.

Health care plays a major role in fulfilling the Umrah rites.

Pilgrims' health situation depends on their health knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP).

Objectives : In this study, we aimed to determine the health KAP among Iranian Umrah pilgrims.

Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 157 Iranian Umrah pilgrims were randomly selected in Mecca, Saudi Arabia in June 2011.

Data were collected using a questionnaire.

The questionnaire consisted of demographic information (sex, age, degree of education, and resource of health knowledge), health knowledge (5 questions), health attitude (5 questions) and health practice (10 questions).

Results : Level of knowledge were very low in 12.1%, low in 25.2%, average in 38.1%, good in 20.4% and very good in 4.2% of respondents.

Mean and standard deviation of attitude score was 18.58 ± 2.20 out of 25 (ranged between 13.00 and 25.00).

The pilgrims were given 74.2 % out of total score.

The Mean and standard deviation of practice score was 8.19 ± 1.32 out of 10 (ranged between 3 and 10).

Although the old and low educated pilgrims had little knowledge of health tips, they had a good health attitude and practice.

Conclusions: Educational strategy to improve knowledge regarding health-related problems and to develop health practices among pilgrims is needed.