Introduction:  Health management of Arbaeen pilgrims, as participants in one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, is of particular importance. Investigating their health status and reasons for referral to healthcare centers can play an essential role in planning and improving healthcare services. This study aimed to determine the most common causes of emergency department (ED) visits and mortality among Arbaeen pilgrims referred to Imam Hossein (AS) Hospital in Mehran from 2017 to 2024.
Materials & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,076 medical records of Arbaeen pilgrims who visited the emergency department of Imam Hossein Hospital in Mehran. The samples were systematically selected (every other record) from 2,046 archived patient files. Inclusion criteria included Iranian nationality and non-local residence. Data were collected using a researcher-made checklist. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 through descriptive and analytical tests at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The mean age of participants was 45.03 ± 16.87 years. Most pilgrims were male (66.9%), married (72.1%), and urban residents (76%). Trauma was the most common cause of ED visits (38.7%), and hypertension was the most prevalent underlying disease (23.6%). Among 31 recorded deaths, CVD and trauma were also identified as the leading causes (29%) and (16.1%), respectively.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of trauma and chronic diseases among Arbaeen pilgrims highlights the need for pre-travel educational programs, identification of high-risk groups, and strengthening of emergency medical infrastructures along the pilgrimage routes and border areas.