Abstract
BackgroundReligious mass gatherings (MGs) have always been an integral part of our society. At the outset, mass-gathering events provide challenging settings to plan a suitable emergency public health response. Published studies basically talk about retrospective reviews, case studies of the public health preparedness, or health care provided at individual events. Developing an understanding of the variables associated with MGs is the first step for public health managers. Risk assessment (RA) is a crucial part of pre-event planning as it helps foresee potential risks. Based on RA, one can develop preventive measures and ensure that the infrastructure to control the potential problems is in place. This study is an attempt to systemize RA process during MG events in a country that is culturally rich but with poor resources to handle such events. A RA tool will be developed for planning and management of religious MG events of India.Methods/designVarious strategies will be used to develop the risk assessment tool (RA tool). Extensive review of literature clubbed with key informant interviews will be done in order to identify the risk variables and decide the domains and items of the tool. Further, this tool will be developed as a mobile-based application. The feasibility of the mobile-based RA tool will be tested in real-time MG event in one part of the country. Concurrently in the same event, a community survey of residents and visitors will be done in order to assess public perceptions of public health and environmental risks associated with MG events.DiscussionThe findings of this study will provide insights into the public health and environmental concerns that need to be considered if preventive strategies and intervention programs are to be designed for MG events. A “RA Tool,” which can be used in the planning and management of MG events by the public health managers will strengthen the existing health systems preparedness plans for MGs.
Highlights
Religious mass gatherings (MGs) have always been an integral part of our society
The findings of this study will provide insights into the public health and environmental concerns that need to be considered if preventive strategies and intervention programs are to be designed for MG events
A “Risk assessment (RA) Tool,” which can be used in the planning and management of MG events by the public health managers will strengthen the existing health systems preparedness plans for MGs
Summary
This study aims to develop a RA tool consisting of characteristics peculiar to planned religious MGs of Indian context. A RA tool for planned MGs would be prepared that can be replicated across various religious gatherings of the state of Tamil Nadu and later across the country This will be achieved using a range of research methodologies namely key informant interviews and survey method. The community risk perception survey will provide information regarding difference in risk perception between the residents and visitors and difference in other sociodemographic indicators like gender, age, and socioeconomic status as well Since it is a feasibility study, risk perception of the participants of MG events where the tool is applied is necessary to improve the tool further till it reaches the stage of complete validation. The deliverables of this research, i.e., RA tool in the form of mobile application, can be used in the planning and management of MG events by the public health managers
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