Protective measures against acute respiratory symptoms in French pilgrims participating in the Hajj of 2009

J Travel Med. 2011 Jan-Feb;18(1):53-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.2010.00480.x. Epub 2010 Nov 22.

Abstract

Among a cohort of 274 French pilgrims participating in the 2009 Hajj, 77.4% used hand disinfectant, 89.8% used disposable handkerchiefs, and 79.6% used face masks; 97.4% were vaccinated against seasonal flu, 5.8% against H1N1, and 31.4% against pneumococcus. Influenza vaccine and face mask use did not significantly reduce respiratory symptoms.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disinfection / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Hand Disinfection
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Islam
  • Male
  • Masks / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Primary Prevention / methods*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / prevention & control*
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Travel*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines