First Pilgrimage Travel in the Post-Pandemic Era: Exploring COVID-19 Concerns and Hygiene Behaviors of Pilgrims in Türkiye

Çakmak, Betül; Inkaya, Bahar

doi:10.30491/ijtmgh.2024.480166.1433

First Pilgrimage Travel in the Post-Pandemic Era: Exploring COVID-19 Concerns and Hygiene Behaviors of Pilgrims in Türkiye

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Betül Çakmak

Bahar Inkaya

Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Nursing, Ankara.

10.30491/ijtmgh.2024.480166.1433

Abstract

Introduction: Hajj season is strongly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The arrival of large numbers of pilgrims from all over the world significantly increased the COVID-19 concern and hygiene behaviours.
Method: This study was planned as cross-sectional research. Data collection were used: a Demographic Data Form, the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, and the COVID-19 Hygiene Scale. The research data were collected through an online survey before the Hajj visit in May 2022 (n = 283).
Results: In the study, was a significant difference found the age, gender, educational status, and fear of contracting COVID-19 (p=0,029, p=0,000, p=0,000, p=0,002, respectively) groups.
Conclusion: Although there is an obvious fact that quite a lot of precaution and preparation for pilgrims, but the concern and hygiene behaviours still continue before the hajj. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and citizens embarking on the pilgrimage require extra attention. Therefore, the active involvement of nurses in this field becomes crucial.

Keywords

Hajj

COVID-19

Hygiene Behaviours

Concern

Nursing