HEALTH CAMPAIGNS INTERVENTION TO IMPROVE FOOD POISONING RISK BEHAVIOURS DURING HAJJ PILGRIMAGE: A PROSPECTIVE, COHORT STUDY

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of health campaigns to minimize the incidence rate of food poisoning cases by comparing cohort and control group in getting food poisoning symptoms, knowledge, and hospitalization. Methods: A cohort-based study has been conducted by undertaking 2446 Hajj pilgrims divided into control and cohort groups. Data collection form containing questions on demographics, medical conditions, influenza vaccination history for the first interval, and document for the development of any reported food poisoning cases for the second interval in both groups was used as a tool for collecting data. Results: Majority of the participants (95.6%) were not aware about the health-related problems in control group. In contrast, in cohort group, around 99.9% of the Hajj pilgrims were aware about Hajj health problems before performing Hajj pilgrimage. There was no significant difference in the level of hygienic practices between the control and cohort groups (p-value = 0.712). The level of food poisoning among the participants revealed 93.4% Hajj pilgrims were not suffering from food poisoning. Conclusion: The level of awareness among the control group regarding food poisoning was low and there was increased incidence of food poisoning in the control group. Keywords: Health Campaigns, Intervention, Food Poisoning, Risk Behavior, Hajj Pilgrimage