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Hospitalization, Mortality, and Health Service Delivery Pattern Among Iranian Hajj Pilgrims by Age, Sex, and Province in 2013–22 Publisher Pubmed



Kolivand P1, 2 ; Saberian P3 ; Arabloo J4 ; Namdar P5 ; Doroudi T6, 7 ; Marashi A6 ; Behzadifar M8 ; Karimi F1 ; Rajaei S1 ; Raei B9 ; Ehsanzadeh SJ10 ; Parvari A11 ; Azari S1, 12
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Research Center for Emergency and Disaster Resilience, Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Health Economics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Anesthesiology, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Health Management and Economics Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Emergency Medicine, Metabolic Disease Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
  6. 6. Iranian Red Crescent Society, Haj Medical Center, Tehran, Iran
  7. 7. Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Al-Anbia Specialist Hospital, Tehran, Iran
  8. 8. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
  9. 9. Department of Health, School of Public Health, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Safety, and Environment Management, Zanjan, Iran
  10. 10. English Language Department, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  11. 11. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  12. 12. Hospital Management Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Frontiers in Public Health Published:2025


Abstract

Background: This study aims to investigate the patterns of hospitalization, mortality, and services provided to Iranian Hajj pilgrims from 2013 to 2022 by age, sex, and province. Methods: We conducted a pooled cross-sectional study in 2023, encompassing all Iranian Hajj pilgrims from 2013 to 2022. We examined pilgrim hospitalization by age, sex, and province using a Poisson regression model, incorporating demographic variables. Data extraction was performed using file reading methods, and analysis using Excel 2019 and SPSS 27 software. Results: The highest mortality among Iranian pilgrims was recorded in 2015 (N = 509, 74.3%), primarily affecting those aged 45–70 (N = 442, 64.5%). Male pilgrims experienced a greater mortality count (580, 84.7%) compared to female pilgrims (105, 18.1%). The main causes of death by province were the Mina stampede and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The number of hospitalizations reached its highest level in 2019 (89,492 cases) and was at its lowest in 2022 (38,947 cases). Tehran province reported the greatest number of hospitalizations (73,168 cases), while Ilam (723 cases) and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces (868 cases) had the fewest. With the exception of heart attacks, other factors significantly impacted the average number of pilgrim hospitalizations at a 5% error level. For instance, the hospitalization figure for female pilgrims was 0.73 times that of male pilgrims, and each additional unit of pilgrimage contributed to a 0.05% increase in hospitalizations. Conclusions: Tackling the public health challenges associated with mass gatherings is crucial for protecting the health of attendees and ensuring the safety of communities. Effective strategic planning, focused interventions, and strong health surveillance systems are essential to reduce risks and build resilience for future events Copyright © 2025 Kolivand, Saberian, Arabloo, Namdar, Doroudi, Marashi, Behzadifar, Karimi, Rajaei, Raei, Ehsanzadeh, Parvari and Azari.