JEDDAH — In advance of Haj, BinDawood superstores on Monday released the findings from an international survey conducted by Nielsen on behalf of the BinDawood Group that was designed and developed as part of the Group’s ongoing commitment to promote health awareness for those undertaking their Haj pilgrimage. Conducted across six of the leading source markets for Haj pilgrims, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, India and Indonesia, the survey looked at how 1328 adults, including those who had already performed Haj and those who plan to perform Haj for the first time, prepare for their Hajj pilgrimage and perceive and protect against potential health issues.

The survey found that pilgrims from across these six markets experience and anticipate facing a wide-range of health issues during their Haj journey, and that there are varying levels of awareness on preventative measures that pilgrims can take to ensure they have a healthy Haj.

The key findings included that almost 70% of pilgrims who have performed Haj believe that viral infections can be best avoided by maintaining high levels of personal hygiene through bathing and washing hands with soap and using facial masks. The most common health issues experienced by pilgrims were viral infections, heat/sun stroke, low energy and dehydration and 70% of experienced pilgrims believe that staying hydrated helps prevent heat/sun stroke. Over six in 10 adults felt that they came ill-prepared in relation to carrying over the counter medical/first-aid items such as bandaids and painkillers while almost seven out of 10 people, planning to undertake Hajj this year, base their approach on how to tackle health potential issues through word of mouth.

Commenting on the survey results, leading Saudi medical practitioner, Dr. Musaab Faiz Rajab, Consultant, Intensive Care, said “some of the most important preventative techniques pilgrims can take to avoid health issues include staying hydrated by drinking sufficient amounts of fluids regularly, avoiding sun exposure and trying to stay in the shade as much as possible. Wearing light loose colored clothes to minimize exposure to the sun is also a good idea. It’s also important to rest and sleep as much as possible.”

Saudi medical practitioner Dr. Amr Talal Bannan, Consultant Cardiologist, commenting on the survey results, said “the results of this survey are very interesting, as they provide an invaluable resource as to how we can promote a healthy Haj experience for all pilgrims. The most important preventative techniques pilgrims can take to avoid health issues include regularly washing hands with soap, staying hydrated by drinking sufficient amounts of fluids and carrying basic medical/first aid kits with them on the journey. Increasing Vitamin C intake can also help prevent viral infections.”

CEO of BinDawood Stores and Danube Co. Ltd Ahmad AR BinDawood said: “In 2017 over 2.4 million pilgrims fulfilled the Haj.1 As a leading Saudi retailer, known for providing the communities where we operate the highest quality of fresh foods and products as well as best in class services, we are very proud of the BinDawood stores brand of our legacy in serving the pilgrims to the holy cities. It is our hope, through supporting this survey, that we can create more awareness on the simple preventative measures pilgrims from Saudi Arabia and all over the world can take to ensure they have a healthy Haj experience.” — SG