What Hajj Interviews Reveal About Sun Protection

The PLoS ONE study on sun protection during Hajj, published on November 11, 2026, found that pilgrims and nurses recognized sun exposure as a serious concern but often understood it primarily as a heat problem rather than a distinct UV risk.

• The 2026 qualitative study interviewed 29 people: 16 Saudi pilgrims and 13 registered nurses who participated in the 2025 Hajj season.
• Researchers conducted retrospective Zoom interviews from June 20 to July 11, 2025, approximately one month after Hajj.
• Thematic analysis identified five themes in 2026: physical and emotional effects, awareness gaps, cultural influences, barriers to protection, and recommendations for improvement.
• Participants reported limited familiarity with UPF-rated clothing, UV-protective umbrellas, and the UV Index, while cost, availability, language, comfort, and cultural clothing affected behavior.
• The study recommended multilingual pre-Hajj education, affordable protective products, and messages that distinguish heat-related illness from UV-related harm.

The 2026 PLoS ONE study used qualitative descriptive research and semi-structured interviews to explore awareness, attitudes, and behaviors related to sunscreen, UPF-rated clothing, umbrellas, and UV exposure during Hajj.

The researchers interviewed 16 Saudi pilgrims and 13 registered nurses, for a total sample of 29 participants, after the 2025 Hajj season. The research team assessed saturation separately for pilgrims and nurses and reported that no new codes emerged during the final two to three interviews in each group.

The research team conducted interviews in Arabic, except for one non-Saudi nurse who was interviewed in English. The researchers translated Arabic transcripts into English, audited a random 20% sample of translated transcripts, and invited participants to review their transcripts for accuracy.

The authors analyzed transcripts in NVivo 12.6 using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis. Three researchers independently coded an initial 20% sample, developed a shared codebook, and resolved coding differences through consensus.

The study’s design captures recalled experiences rather than directly observed behavior. The authors also limited transferability by focusing on Saudi pilgrims during one Hajj season, so the findings should not be treated as representative of all international pilgrims.

The 2026 Hajj study suggests that effective sun-safety interventions must address meaning, access, and communication rather than simply distribute information.

The study found that participants often framed sun exposure as a spiritual challenge or as a source of heat-related discomfort. One nurse explained, “Some elderly pilgrims believe enduring the sun is part of the spiritual challenge; they think the harder it is, the greater the reward.” This quotation shows why culturally responsive messaging may be more effective than generic risk warnings.

The study also identified a knowledge gap around UV-specific protection. One participant said, “I didn’t even know there are special fabrics for blocking UV rays.” Another participant said, “Honestly, I have no knowledge about UV-protection products.” These accounts distinguish general awareness of sunlight from practical understanding of UPF, sunscreen, and UV-rated umbrellas.

The study found that language and logistics shaped implementation. A nurse stated, “The biggest challenge is language specifically who can't understand Arabic or English.” Participants also described forgetting umbrellas, finding some products heavy or inconvenient, and having difficulty locating affordable UPF-rated items.

For qualitative researchers, the findings demonstrate the value of analyzing participant groups separately before comparing them. The 2026 study reported that nurses emphasized systemic and communication barriers, while pilgrims emphasized cost, comfort, availability, and forgetting protective items.

The study was health-focused but not diagnostic. Researchers and public health teams should use these findings to inform further research and intervention design, not to make clinical judgments about individual pilgrims.

The 2026 Hajj interview study shows that sun protection behavior is shaped by more than awareness of sunlight: participants described cultural beliefs, language barriers, product access, comfort, clothing, and incomplete understanding of UV risk.

AI-enabled qualitative research can help public health teams analyze these layered experiences across interviews and participant segments while preserving the quotations and context needed for credible interpretation.

Researchers can use Evidano to accelerate thematic, cross-segment, and document-based analysis while applying human review and appropriate data-protection procedures. Try Evidano for free to turn qualitative evidence into clearer research findings.