حج بعنوان فرصتی برای تغییر باورهای سلامتی

In this study, at first a review is made of developments in theories of human behavioral change, and then
views are presented on causes of humans changing their health related lifestyle. Also reference is made to
the minimum and desirable time durations that are said to be important for changes in humans to actually
take place and to be sustained. Then descriptions are made of the characteristics of Hajj pilgrimage. As an
obligatory for every capable Muslim once in a lifetime, this ritual is said to have the specifications of timeperiod
previously mentioned to be required for a successful behavior change, in terms of both its duration
of almost 40 days and its creation of a very different lifestyle environment for the pilgrim who is far from
normal family and friend surrounding. 24-hours a day and close interactions with completely new people
and strangers in small hotel rooms, restaurants, buses and inside the holy mosques enable the pilgrims to
overcome the usual barriers to change in knowledge, attitude and practices. It is then concluded that due
to the large population of pilgrims that annually do the Hajj, this ritual has the potential not only to change
directly the people and professional who observe this obligation, but also to transform indirectly many other
relatives who interact with them. Therefore, policy makers in Iran can exploit this opportunity and make
the necessary changes, at national level, in medical education and practices as well as in health-related
lifestyle and education. This in turn will lead to more appropriate, effective and efficient delivery of disease
preventive, health promotional, diagnostic, curative, surgical, palliative and rehabilitative services during
Hajj and beyond