Health Problems and Associated Factors among Thai Pilgrims during Long-Distance Travel to Buddhist Sacred Sites in India and Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Thai pilgrims often undertake long journeys to sacred Buddhist sites in India and Nepal, which can lead to various health problems. This study aimed to examine health problems and identify related factors among Thai pilgrims during their travels to Buddhist sites in India and Nepal. This cross-sectional study used stratified random sampling to survey 384 Thai pilgrims visiting holy Buddhist sites. Data were collected through questionnaires during the pilgrimage in India and Nepal. The analysis included descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression, reporting the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Results showed that most Thai pilgrims experienced health problems (70.8%), including muscle pain (41.9%), fatigue (40.6%), digestive issues (22.7%), and respiratory problems (22.7%). Factors significantly associated to health problems during long-distance travel included having an underlying disease (AOR=1.43, 95% CI=1.11-2.85, P=0.031), low health knowledge related to the pilgrimage (AOR=2.23, 95% CI=1.54-9.19, P=0.026), pilgrimages lasting more than one week (AOR=2.26, 95% CI=1.19-5.08, P=0.015), infrequent breaks during the pilgrimage (AOR=4.18, 95% CI=1.24-14.15, P=0.021), difficulty adjusting to weather conditions (AOR=5.99, 95% CI=3.14-11.42, P<0.001), high exposure to air pollution (AOR=2.88, 95% CI=1.43-5.75, P=0.003), and lack of information before the pilgrimage (AOR=5.50, 95% CI=1.23-9.88, P=0.043). These findings suggest that health problems are a major concern for Thai pilgrims traveling long distances to visit Buddhist sacred sites. Healthcare agencies can use this information to develop targeted interventions that improve the safety and well-being of pilgrims.