This project was based at the University of Malaya in Malaysia Overview Project title: The Malaysian Asthma Hajj Study Acute or chronic: Chronic Based at: University of Malaya Start date: August 2018 End date: January 2021 Principal investigator: Ee Ming Khoo Project team: Ahmad Ihsan Abu Bakar, Su May Liew, Nik Sherina Haidi Hanafi, Norita Hussein, Ai Theng Cheong, Sazlina Shariff Ghazali, Azah Abdul Samad, Rizawati Ramli, Azainorsuzila Mohd Ahad, Suhazeli Abdullah, Hilary Pinnock, Aziz Sheikh Background Hajj is a massive pilgrimage that occurs once a year, involving two to three million individuals from more than 180 countries. It is one of the five pillars of Islam and it is mandatory for all Muslims who are able to perform the Hajj to undertake the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. One of the top causes of hospitalisation during the Hajj is acute asthma and its complications. One in five pilgrims with previously diagnosed asthma will present with an unscheduled attendance or hospitalization during the Hajj. All Hajj pilgrims attend a medical examination about three to four months before the pilgrimage at various centres located nationwide. This offers an opportunity to intervene, with proper assessment and management. However, asthma is not generally perceived as significant problem during the Hajj, so implementing change is unlikely to be successful without objective evidence of the burden. Aim and impact To assess the prevalence of asthma and the risk of asthma-related events among Hajj pilgrims. The study will explore the feasibility and acceptability of a potential intervention, based on the current routine of pre-Hajj medical checks and the perceptions of clinicians and managers of the Hajj service. Initial work in Malaysia could extend to additional countries, with the ultimate aim of reducing the risk of undertaking the Hajj pilgrimage for people with asthma. The study could also be extended to include COPD and other chronic respiratory disorders. Key developments Article published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 3 abstracts delivered at professional conferences (ERS; IPCRG). Publications Dangers of COPD and asthma under-recognised among Hajj pilgrims. Liew SM, Hussein N, Hanafi NS, Pinnock H, Sheikh A, Khoo EM. Lancet Respir Med. 2018 Aug; 6(8):590. Project data Download the project Data Management Plan View project metadata on the Health Data Research Innovation Gateway Study resources Asthma exacerbations are among the most common reasons for unscheduled medical visits and hospitalisation during the Hajj. These asthma education materials are intended to serve as a guide for pilgrims with asthma, including those with limited health literacy, both before and during their pilgrimage. Many Muslim countries, including Malaysia, conduct pre-Hajj health screenings, and this is an excellent opportunity to provide asthma education. As a result, both the booklet and the videos, which were produced in two languages (English and Malay), were designed in such a way that they can be used as a guide by international pilgrims (not limited to Malaysian pilgrims). Asthma Care Resources for Hajj Pilgrims - English Booklet Document Asthma Care Guide for Hajj Pilgrims - English (52.3 MB / PDF) Video Asthma Care Resources for Hajj Pilgrims - Malay Serangan asma adalah diantara sebab utama rawatan kecemasan dan kemasukan ke hospital semasa Haji. Bahan pendidikan asma ini bertujuan untuk dijadikan panduan kepada jemaah yang menghidap asma termasuk mereka yang mempunyai tahap celik kesihatan yang terhad, sebelum dan semasa menunaikan haji. Banyak negara Islam, termasuk Malaysia, menjalankan pemeriksaan kesihatan Haji, dan ini adalah peluang terbaik untuk menyampaikan pendidikan asma. Hasilnya, kedua-dua buku kecil dan video yang dihasilkan dalam dua bahasa (Inggeris dan Melayu), disediakan supaya ia boleh dijadikan panduan oleh jemaah haji antarabangsa (tidak terhad kepada jemaah haji Malaysia). Booklet Document Asthma Care Guide for Hajj Pilgrims - Malay (52.61 MB / PDF) Video This article was published on 2024-09-24
