Hajj UV Gaps: Qualitative Sun Protection Research

The November 11, 2026 PLOS One study on sun protection during Hajj found that pilgrims and nurses recognized heat as a danger but had limited understanding of UV-specific risks and UPF-rated products.

• The study interviewed 29 people, including 16 Saudi pilgrims and 13 registered nurses, through Zoom between June 20 and July 11, 2025.
• The researchers identified five themes: physical and emotional effects, awareness gaps, cultural influences, practical barriers, and recommendations.
• The study reported that 26.9% of pilgrims in a related 2024 study did not use umbrellas in direct sunlight, indicating a measurable gap between exposure and protective behavior.
• Participants described language differences, product cost, limited availability, discomfort, clothing constraints, and spiritual interpretations of hardship as barriers during the 2025 Hajj season.
• The study concluded on November 11, 2026 that pre-Hajj education, affordable protective products, multilingual communication, and clearer separation of heat and UV messages were needed.

The November 11, 2026 PLOS One study used retrospective semi-structured interviews and inductive thematic analysis to examine sun protection awareness, attitudes, and behavior after the 2025 Hajj season.

The researchers interviewed 16 Saudi pilgrims and 13 registered nurses between June 20 and July 11, 2025, approximately one month after Hajj. The interviews lasted about 30 to 45 minutes, were conducted in Arabic or English, and were translated when necessary.

The research team used Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis approach, including familiarization, coding, theme development, review, definition, and reporting. Three researchers independently coded an initial 20% of transcripts before applying a shared codebook to the remaining data.

The researchers reported that saturation was reached after 16 pilgrim interviews and 13 nurse interviews, with the final two to three interviews in each group producing no new codes.

One pilgrim told the researchers, "Everyone knows the sun is harmful, but I don’t think we understand how exactly." One nurse said, "Honestly, I have no knowledge about UV-protection products." These quotations show the difference between general awareness and actionable knowledge.

The study's findings are descriptive rather than statistically generalizable because the sample included Saudi pilgrims from one Hajj season and relied on recalled, self-reported experiences. The authors also noted possible recall and social desirability bias.

The November 11, 2026 PLOS One study suggests that effective Hajj sun-safety interventions must distinguish heat-related illness from UV-related harm.

The researchers found that participants mainly described heat symptoms such as exhaustion, dizziness, dehydration, and fainting, while UV-specific outcomes such as sunburn and eye irritation were rarely mentioned. Health communication should therefore explain that hydration, rest, and cooling address heat risk, while sunscreen and UPF-rated clothing or umbrellas address UV exposure.

The study also found that cultural context shaped behavior. Some participants described sun exposure as part of the spiritual hardship of Hajj, while others reported that umbrella use had become more socially accepted. Researchers designing interventions should test messages that respect religious values rather than treating culture as a simple obstacle.

The study identified language differences as a major barrier for nurses working with international pilgrims. Multilingual interview analysis can help public health teams compare how different groups understand terms such as UV Index, SPF, and UPF before creating educational materials.

For qualitative researchers, the study demonstrates the value of combining participant and provider interviews. Comparing both segments can reveal where experiences converge, such as the need for pre-travel education, and where they diverge, such as nurses emphasizing communication barriers while pilgrims emphasize cost, comfort, and availability.

The November 11, 2026 PLOS One study shows that sun protection during Hajj is shaped by more than awareness: cultural meaning, language, product access, comfort, and communication all influence behavior.

Qualitative research makes these mechanisms visible, while AI-enabled analysis can help teams compare participant groups, organize multilingual evidence, and identify intervention priorities more efficiently.

Researchers should use AI as an auditable support layer, with human review for sensitive quotations, translation, coding decisions, and health-related interpretation. Try Evidano for free to accelerate qualitative analysis of interviews, surveys, and research documents.