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Background <p>Hajj, one of the largest annual religious gatherings, attracts millions of Muslim pilgrims globally, with a significant proportion being older adults. Cognitive impairment, encompassing mild cognitive decline to dementia, is a prevalent condition among older adults and can significantly affect their ability to participate in the physically and mentally demanding rituals of Hajj. Despite its implications, data on the prevalence and associated factors of cognitive impairment among pilgrims remain limited.</p> Objective <p>This study aimed to assess the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older adults Hajj pilgrims and to explore its associations with demographic, linguistic, and medical history variables.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted during the 1445 Hijri Calander (2024 AD) Hajj season in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 3,111 pilgrims aged 60 years and older were recruited using multistage sampling. Data were collected through bilingual (Arabic and English) face-to-face interviews, employing the validated Ascertain Dementia 8 (AD8) screening tool. Additional data included demographic characteristics, health conditions, medication use, and cognitive challenges. Statistical analyses included Chi-square tests, logistic regression, and descriptive summaries to determine significant predictors of cognitive impairment.</p> Results <p>The prevalence of positive cognitive screening impairment was 64.0%, with a mean AD8 score of 3.09 ± 2.68. Participants aged 80 years and above exhibited the highest prevalence (78.5%), followed by those aged 70–79 years (67.2%) and 60–69 years (58.4%) (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Urdu-speaking individuals (OR: 2.132, 95% CI: 1.018–4.468), Nigerian nationality (OR: 7.594, 95% CI: 1.951–29.555), and Southeast Asia clusters (<i>p</i> = 0.033, OR: 2.086, 95% CI: 1.059–4.108) had a significantly higher prevalence of cognitive impairment by screening. Chronic conditions such as diabetes (OR: 1.839, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), hypertension (OR: 2.420, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and hyperlipidemia (OR: 1.446, <i>p</i> = 0.001) were significantly associated with cognitive impairment positive screening along with prior cognitive impairment disorders diagnosis (OR: 2.367, <i>p</i> = 0.038). Participants who reported difficulties with remembering appointments (40.3%) and managing finances (34.6%) were more likely to exhibit cognitive impairment positive screening.</p> Conclusion <p>Probable cognitive impairment positive screening among older adults Hajj pilgrims was significantly associated with clinical factors including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, prior diagnosis of cognitive impairment disorders, and informant-based reporting. These findings underscore the importance of pre-travel cognitive assessments, targeted health interventions, and culturally sensitive support services to ensure safe and inclusive participation. This study provides crucial evidence to guide future healthcare policies and interventions aimed at supporting older adults’ pilgrims.</p>

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Cognitive impairment among older adults’ pilgrims during Hajj: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and associated factors

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月1日

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  • Amar Mohammad A. Alkhotani,
  • Majed S. Obaid,
  • Nahla H. Hariri,
  • Hamsah Saleh Alqashqri,
  • Ismail A. Alghamdi,
  • Muhammad Irfanullah Siddiqui,
  • Heba M. Adly,
  • Mohammed A. Garout,
  • Adeeb A. Bulkhi,
  • Hani M. Almoallim,
  • Elbagir A. Elfaki,
  • Aous S. Alhazmi,
  • Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq,
  • Rania Abubaker Bagabir,
  • Saleh A. K. Saleh,
  • Nizar S. Bawahab,
  • Albaraa H. Kazim,
  • Fahad A. Alamri,
  • Anas A. Khan

摘要

Background

Hajj, one of the largest annual religious gatherings, attracts millions of Muslim pilgrims globally, with a significant proportion being older adults. Cognitive impairment, encompassing mild cognitive decline to dementia, is a prevalent condition among older adults and can significantly affect their ability to participate in the physically and mentally demanding rituals of Hajj. Despite its implications, data on the prevalence and associated factors of cognitive impairment among pilgrims remain limited.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older adults Hajj pilgrims and to explore its associations with demographic, linguistic, and medical history variables.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted during the 1445 Hijri Calander (2024 AD) Hajj season in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 3,111 pilgrims aged 60 years and older were recruited using multistage sampling. Data were collected through bilingual (Arabic and English) face-to-face interviews, employing the validated Ascertain Dementia 8 (AD8) screening tool. Additional data included demographic characteristics, health conditions, medication use, and cognitive challenges. Statistical analyses included Chi-square tests, logistic regression, and descriptive summaries to determine significant predictors of cognitive impairment.

Results

The prevalence of positive cognitive screening impairment was 64.0%, with a mean AD8 score of 3.09 ± 2.68. Participants aged 80 years and above exhibited the highest prevalence (78.5%), followed by those aged 70–79 years (67.2%) and 60–69 years (58.4%) (p < 0.001). Urdu-speaking individuals (OR: 2.132, 95% CI: 1.018–4.468), Nigerian nationality (OR: 7.594, 95% CI: 1.951–29.555), and Southeast Asia clusters (p = 0.033, OR: 2.086, 95% CI: 1.059–4.108) had a significantly higher prevalence of cognitive impairment by screening. Chronic conditions such as diabetes (OR: 1.839, p < 0.001), hypertension (OR: 2.420, p < 0.001), and hyperlipidemia (OR: 1.446, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with cognitive impairment positive screening along with prior cognitive impairment disorders diagnosis (OR: 2.367, p = 0.038). Participants who reported difficulties with remembering appointments (40.3%) and managing finances (34.6%) were more likely to exhibit cognitive impairment positive screening.

Conclusion

Probable cognitive impairment positive screening among older adults Hajj pilgrims was significantly associated with clinical factors including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, prior diagnosis of cognitive impairment disorders, and informant-based reporting. These findings underscore the importance of pre-travel cognitive assessments, targeted health interventions, and culturally sensitive support services to ensure safe and inclusive participation. This study provides crucial evidence to guide future healthcare policies and interventions aimed at supporting older adults’ pilgrims.