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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

A survey of notified travel-associated infections: implications for travel health advice.

BACKGROUND: Travel-associated illness affects at least 25 per cent of UK residents who travel abroad each year. Notified cases form only a small proportion of the total community burden of disease but nevertheless represent a substantial workload for community infection control services. The aim of the study was to describe the incidence of notified travel-associated infectious illness, the extent and sources of travel health advice, and the nature of risk-avoiding behaviour in that population. METHOD: A questionnaire survey was carried out of 190 consecutive notifications of food poisoning and malaria over a nine-month period where travel abroad was an identifiable factor. RESULTS: The incidence of notified travel-associated food poisoning during the study period was 204 per million resident population per year. Thirteen per cent of respondents reported taking no precautions against food poisoning, and up to 75 per cent of the cases could have taken better precautions. Only 36 per cent of cases recalled advice from their travel agent. Half the cases did not visit their general practitioner before travel (20 per cent of travellers to high-risk destinations). There was a strong association between receiving advice before travelling and risk-avoiding behaviour. The source of advice did not appear to affect the extent of precautions taken. The cases clearly expressed a need for additional written travel health information in the appropriate style and language for their ethnic group. Ethnic minority cases utilized official travel health advice to the same extent as the Caucasian cases. CONCLUSION: In this case series, 75 per cent of travellers did not take sufficient basic precautions against infection. There was a need to improve advice about simple precautions to avoid infection. General practice was the commonest source of advice for the travellers in this study. The apparently low level of advice from travel agents needs to be addressed in any local initiative to improve the health of travellers.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Travel health knowledge, attitudes and practices among United States travelers.

BACKGROUND: Large numbers of United States residents travel each year to countries where malaria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and other vaccine-preventable diseases are prevalent. However, relatively little is known about how United States travelers perceive risks associated with travel or how they prepare for their international voyages. This airport survey was therefore performed to determine the travel health knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of United States travelers. METHODS: Questionnaires were administered to international travelers, aged 18 years or more, departing from the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York who were going to destinations that were high risk for malaria or hepatitis A. RESULTS: Overall, 404 questionnaires were completed, including 203 focused on malaria and 201 on vaccine-preventable diseases. Latin America and Asia were the most common destinations. Only 36% of travelers sought travel health advice, despite the fact that more than half prepared their trip at least a month in advance. Only 17% of travelers considered themselves at high risk for hepatitis A. Although the majority of travelers (73%) to a high-risk malaria-endemic region perceived malaria as a high health risk, only 46% of them were carrying antimalarial medications. Additionally, although the majority of travelers believed that vaccines were effective for prevention, few were vaccinated for their journey: 11% for tetanus, 14% for hepatitis A, 13% for hepatitis B, and 5% for yellow fever. DISCUSSION: This airport survey demonstrated important shortcomings in the travel health KAP of international travelers. A substantial proportion of the travelers were not adequately protected against malaria, hepatitis A or hepatitis B. Future efforts need to focus on improving the level of awareness of travelers regarding their risk of disease acquisition overseas and the importance of pre-travel education, immunizations, and malaria chemoprophylaxis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Travel health knowledge, attitudes and practices among Australasian travelers.

BACKGROUND: Although the Asia Pacific region is the focus of the fastest-growing tourist and travel industry, few data are available on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of travelers from this region with regard to travel-related infectious diseases. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among travelers at the departure lounges of five airports in Australasia (Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipeh, Melbourne, Seoul) whose travel destinations were Asia, Africa or South America. Two standardized questionnaires directed towards KAP in travel health, travel immunizations and malaria were administered. RESULTS: Of 2,101 respondents (82% Asian, 17% Western), 31% had sought pretravel health advice and only 4% sought travel health advice from the travel medicine specialist. The risk of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases and malaria at the destination country was perceived to be low. Overall, fewer than 5% of travelers had been vaccinated in preparation for their trip. The most frequent travel vaccinations were for hepatitis A and B. Only 40% of travelers to malaria-endemic areas carried malaria prophylaxis. Compared to Western travelers, those of Asian nationality were significantly less likely to obtain pretravel advice and malaria prophylaxis and to receive travel vaccinations. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need for increased awareness about travel-related infectious diseases among Asian travelers, and greater uptake of pretravel health advice, vaccinations and malaria prophylactic measures.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

International business travel: impact on families and travellers.

OBJECTIVES: Spouses and staff of the World Bank Group (WBG) were questioned about the impact of international business travel on families and travellers. Dependent variables were self reported stress, concern about the health of the traveller, and negative impact on the family. We hypothesised that several travel factors (independent variables) would be associated with these impacts. These travel factors had to do with the frequency, duration, and predictability of travel and its interference with family activities. METHODS: Survey forms were developed and distributed to all spouses of travelling staff as well as a small sample of operational staff. Kendall's tau b correlation coefficients of response frequencies were computed with the data from scaled items. Written responses to open ended questions were categorised. RESULTS: Response rates for spouses and staff were 24% and 36%, respectively. Half the spouse sample (n=533) and almost 75% of the staff sample (n=102) reported high or very high stress due to business travel. Self reported spouse stress was associated with six out of eight travel factors. Female spouses, those with children, and younger spouses reported greater stress. Self reported staff stress was significantly associated with four out of nine travel factors. Further insight into how business travel affects families and staff (including children's behavioural changes) and how families cope was gained through responses to written questions. CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the notion that lengthy and frequent travel and frequent changes in travel dates which affect family plans, all characteristic of WBG missions, negatively affects many spouses and children (particularly young children) and that the strain on families contributes significantly to the stress staff feel about their travel. Policies or management practices that take into consideration family activities and give staff greater leeway in controlling and refusing travel may help relieve stress.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A population-based comparison between travelers who consulted travel clinics and those who did not.

BACKGROUND: Travel to hepatitis A-endemic countries is frequent among North Americans. Such travel carries significant risks for the individuals themselves and for the general population. We documented the patterns of use of travel clinics in a large Canadian adult population. METHODS: Travelers who had visited a hepatitis A-endemic country between 1990 and the time of the survey in 1999 were eligible. Subjects were identified from a representative sample of 4,002 adults from the two largest Canadian provinces. They were contacted by random digit dialing and interviewed by telephone. RESULTS: Only 15% of trips had been preceded by a visit to a travel clinic. The probability of visiting a travel clinic was approximately 10 times greater for travelers considered to be in the high-risk category than for those in the low-risk category, but the former represented only 2% of the total. The probability of visiting a travel clinic was approximately 23 times greater for travelers who were aware of the health risks in their country of destination. Income level was not associated with attendance at a travel clinic, and cost was rarely mentioned as a reason for not attending such a travel clinic before departure. CONCLUSIONS: Each year, millions of Canadian travelers go to hepatitis A-endemic countries without consulting a travel clinic. Active steps must be taken by public health authorities to improve their utilization of health services and prevent the accrued health risk for these travelers.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Preparing patients to travel abroad safely. Part 1: Taking a travel history and identifying special risks.

OBJECTIVE: To present for family physicians without access to a travel clinic and the Internet the questions to ask about the medical history and itinerary of their patients traveling abroad. To suggest ways to identify and advise high-risk patients. QUALITY OF EVIDENCE: MEDLINE searches from 1990 to November 1998 located 51 articles on travel and diabetes, 37 on travel and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 63 on travel and heart disease, 192 on travel and pregnancy, and 298 on travel with infants or children. Additional searches were undertaken in September 1999. The quality of evidence in most articles is level III (expert opinion). There are no randomized controlled trials of the best advice for family physicians to give travelers. MAIN MESSAGE: A history should include countries to be visited, planned activities, previous tropical travel, medical history, vaccination status, whether children are traveling, pregnancy status, and patients' opinions of the risks and precautions needed. Detailed advice should be given to reduce risks. The main causes of mortality abroad are existing cardiovascular conditions and accidents. High-risk conditions to be identified in travelers are cardiovascular illness, COPD, diabetes, immunodeficiency, pregnancy, and traveling with children. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cardiovascular illness or COPD should be advised to avoid too much exertion while traveling. Detailed instruction should be given to diabetic patients on how to maintain stable glucose levels, to pregnant women on avoiding malarial infection, and to parents on protecting their children from infections and accidents.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2001

Travel insurance claims made by travellers from Australia for dental conditions.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about dental problems suffered by travellers abroad. This study was designed to investigate travel insurance claims made by travellers from Australia for dental conditions, particularly examining demographic factors, type of travel insurance coverage, nature and duration of travel, when dental treatment was sought during travel, use of emergency assistance, type of treatment, and claim outcome, including cost. METHODS: 1,289 claims submitted during 1998-99 to a major Australian-based travel insurance company were examined for dental claims. RESULTS: 104 (8.1%) claims for dental conditions were submitted, of which 45 (43.3%) were made by male and 59 (56.7%) by female travellers. The majority of claimants were in the 60 years and over age group 54 (52.4%). Dental conditions reported required conservative (mostly fillings) 31 (29.8%), endodontic (mostly root canal treatment) 19 (18.3%), prosthodontic 27 (26.0%), periodontal 8 (7.7%), oral and maxillofacial surgery 2 (1.9%) and other or multiple 17 (16.3%) treatments. Use of the travel insurance emergency telephone service for dental conditions was reported in only seven cases (6.7%). Almost two-thirds 64 (61.5%) of claims were accepted. Claims for prosthodontic treatment were significantly less likely to be accepted. The majority of dental conditions did not require further medical investigations, 74 (71.2%). The mean cost of payouts to claims was AU$238.06 for males and AU$182.58 for females. Claims for endodontic and prosthodontic treatment were significantly more expensive than other types of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Claims for dental conditions represent a noteworthy proportion of travel insurance claims made by Australian travellers abroad. More than three-quarters of claims for dental conditions were for conservative, endodontic or prosthodontic treatment. Travellers should be advised to have a dental check-up before departure overseas and to take care with pre-existing dental conditions, which may not be able to be claimed on travel insurance.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Promoting travel clinic referrals: exploring partnerships for healthier travel.

Many travellers are unaware or unprepared for the health-related risks of international travel. Indeed, studies of travel-related morbidity have estimated that between 15 and 45% of travellers to tropical and sub-tropical destinations experience a variety of mild to severe clinical symptoms during their travel. While some inadequacies may exist in the pre-travel health advice provided by travel clinics, recent studies have suggested that these clinics are more effective in promoting health awareness and consequently in preventing illness than more traditional health services. Unfortunately, traveller attendance records at pre-travel health clinics are poor. This situation suggests that new partnerships must be developed which encourage healthier travel by promoting the pre-departure use of travel health clinic services. The intent of this paper is to generate discussion as well as to initiate research into the development and evaluation of new partnerships to promote healthier travel.

Counseling↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Travelers' compliance to prophylactic measures and behavior during stay abroad: results of a retrospective study of subjects returning to a travel medicine center in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Many sources of health advice are consulted by travelers, but in Europe, only 35% go to a travel clinic. Travel to countries outside Europe increases daily, and from 2001 to 2004, there was a marked increase in the number of travelers from the Florentine area crossing the borders (+18.0%), taking a plane (+81.4% of international travelers in Pisa airport), and applying to the Centre of Travel and Migration Medicine (CTMM) (+96%). METHODS: An anonymous survey was carried out at CTMM among those travelers returning to complete vaccinations for which the first dose had been given before going abroad. The survey included questions on vaccination status, adherence to recommended antimalaria prophylaxis, occurrence of other health problems, and food and drink consumption. RESULTS: The study population (which represents a "best case scenario") was composed of 1,237 subjects and had a very high compliance to the proposed questionnaire (95%). Approximately 55% of travelers took malaria chemoprophylactic measures, and 88% of them followed the indications given. Approximately 28% reported one or more secondary effects following antimalarial medication, and approximately 69% reported constant attention regarding safe consumption of food and drinks. Notwithstanding these measures, 236 cases of travelers' diarrhea were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are conditioned by the self-selection of the study population (those who seek advice are likely to follow it through). However, since no certainty exists about other sources of health advice for the remainder of the traveler population in our region, both the importance of counseling offered by travel clinics as well as the recommendation to the ever-increasing number of travelers to consult these clinics are stressed.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Limited tuberculin screening participation amongst travellers to countries with high tuberculosis incidence; reason to consider BCG vaccination for some travellers].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the compliance amongst Dutch travellers to high tuberculosis-incidence countries with a screening procedure involving a tuberculin skin test before and after the trip. DESIGN: Prospective study. METHOD: Nine hundred and eighty-eight tuberculin-negative Dutch people who travelled to high tuberculosis-incidence countries for 3 to 12 months were studied for their compliance with an advised screening procedure of repeat tuberculin skin testing 2 to 4 months after return. At 2 of the 4 participating health services, data were also collected on extra calls made and the pertinent time investments. RESULTS: Five hundred and ninety-nine travellers (61%) were compliant with the screening procedure. Of those for whom the data was available (n = 417), 33% (98/300) of the compliant travellers required extra calls. These took an average of 30 min per extra traveller tested as a result. Compliance varied according to health service and was better amongst travellers to Africa. In addition, non-compliance was independently associated with male sex, work being the main travel purpose, and an undecided duration of travel on departure. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance of Dutch travellers with tuberculin skin-test screening is limited, particularly if no extra calls are issued. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination appears to be preferable for travellers with undecided travel duration and persons travelling for work on a frequent basis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Travel counsellors and travel health advice.

BACKGROUND: Travel Counsellors may be a source of health advice to travellers and might influence travellers' decisions to seek consultation from health professionals. We examined the travel health advice that Alberta travel counsellors currently provide their clients and assessed their health knowledge and practices. METHODS: Cross-sectional postal survey of travel counsellors who book international trips identified from a random sample of Alberta travel agencies in 2000. RESULTS: The response rate was 54.4%. Over 80% of respondents routinely provide clients with general health advice, and approximately 70% advise on malaria risk and vaccines required for travel. The risk of malaria was correctly identified by 72% of the respondents who frequently book clients to malarious destinations. Most respondents (79%) thought they should be involved in promoting the health of international travellers. Their preference was to provide health advice to their clients (90%) rather than refer them to a health professional (67%). CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of Alberta travel counsellors provided travel-related health advice to clients. Their preferred role of counselling rather than referring conflicts with the recommendations of the International Society of Travel Medicine.

Alberta↗
PubMed2003

Frequency of venous thromboembolism in low to moderate risk long distance air travellers: the New Zealand Air Traveller's Thrombosis (NZATT) study.

BACKGROUND: The frequency and role of risk factors for venous thromboembolism related to air travel is uncertain. We aimed to establish the frequency of this disorder in a group of long distance air travellers and to investigate the role of potential risk factors. METHODS: We designed a prospective study into which we recruited individuals aged between 18 and 70 years, travelling for 4 h or more by aircraft. D-dimer measurement was done before and after travel. Participants with a negative D-dimer (<500 ng/L) before travel were included in the study. Those who became D-dimer positive or developed high clinical probability symptoms during the 3 months after travel were investigated with bilateral compression ultrasonography and CT pulmonary angiography. Suspected clinical and thrombophilic risk factors, and use of prophylactic measures, were assessed. FINDINGS: 1000 individuals were recruited, with 878 meeting inclusion criteria and completing the study. All participants travelled at least 10 h, with a mean total duration of air travel of 39 h (SD 12.5). 112 patients underwent radiological assessment on return. Frequency of venous thromboembolism associated with travel was 1.0% (9/878, 95% CI 0.5-1.9), which included four cases of pulmonary embolism and five of deep venous thrombosis. Six patients with venous thromboembolism had pre-existing clinical risk factors, two had a recognised thrombophilic risk factor, two travelled exclusively in business class, five used aspirin, and four wore compression stockings. INTERPRETATION: Our results suggest an association between multiple long distance air flights and venous thromboembolism, even in individuals at low to moderate risk. The role of traditional risk factors and prophylactic measures in air travel-related venous thromboembolism needs further investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Prevention of travel-related infectious diseases: knowledge, practices and attitudes of Swedish travellers.

More Swedish residents travel to countries where they are at risk for contracting malaria, hepatitis, and other serious travel-related diseases. To safeguard the public's health, it is important to determine if travellers accurately perceive health risks and take appropriate preventative measures before and during their trips. This study examined travel health knowledge, attitudes and practices among Swedish residents traveling to destinations with risk of malaria and hepatitis. Self-administered anonymous questionnaires were distributed to Swedish residents (n=957) waiting to board intercontinental flights at the Stockholm-Arlanda International Airport. A majority of travellers sought general information (74%) and travel health advice (59%) prior to departure. Most perceived vaccination as safe and effective, but only 40% and 3% of travellers reported adequate vaccine coverage against hepatitis A or hepatitis B, respectively. Although most did not know the actual malaria risk at the destination, 97% of persons flying to high-risk areas were carrying malaria medication. The study results were in line with those found in surveys conducted in other countries, and demonstrate need for further health education among travellers to risk destinations. Efforts should focus on reaching more travellers, providing clear information and improving compliance with recommended travel health advice.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Travelers' knowledge of prevention and treatment of travelers' diarrhea.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding the prevention and treatment of travelers' diarrhea (TD) is available to the public from various sources, such as medical personnel, travel clinics, personal contacts, and the Internet. This type of information may help travelers avoid this illness or help those afflicted minimize its duration. METHODS: We collected questionnaire data from 104 travelers at departure gates for flights to Mexico from Calgary, Alberta on their knowledge of symptoms and treatment of TD and food risks associated with this illness and sources of information used. RESULTS: Almost half reported they received some information on travel-related diseases and on TD prior to the flight. When education level was controlled for, the mean score for people who had obtained information on TD was significantly higher than that for those who did not have such information. College or university-educated travelers scored better than did other travelers. A high proportion of travelers correctly identified risk levels associated with specific foods consumed during travel, and many recognize that they are at an increased risk of acquiring diarrheal illness while traveling in a developing country. CONCLUSIONS: Information on TD appears to improve the level of knowledge on its prevention and treatment among travelers from southern Alberta.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Inadequacies in Health Recommendations Provided for International Travelers by North American Travel Health Advisors.

The rise of international travel has increased the need for more, improved travel advice from physicians and public health facilities. The quality of the health information given has not been examined on a large-scale basis by many studies, however. Surveys in Canada, Switzerland, and the United States, for example, report that only 20% to 50% of practitioners could give accurate information regarding immunization and prophylaxis about travel-related disease. Anonymous surveys were sent to 1165 American and 96 Canadian public health units and travel clinics. Using five scenarios on travel to developing countries, each source was asked to complete a standardized form giving their recommendations for immunization, antimalarials, travelers' diarrhea, and other travel issues. Of the American respondents, 60% were physicians equally distributed among private practice, university, and corporate clinics; nurses comprised 75% of the Canadian respondents, primarily from public health clinics. The number of travelers counseled per year ranged from 3 to 40,000 (American mean, 448; Canadian mean, 2180). Depending on the scenario, 20 to 75% of the immunization groups recommended were inadequate or inappropriate: most frequently, lack of tetanus/polio boosters; indiscriminant use of yellow fever/cholera vaccines; haphazard advice about meningococcal, rabies, and typhoid vaccines; and a lack of consideration of measles in young adults. Of the antimalarial recommendations given, 20 to 60% were incorrect, including prescribing medication for nonrisk areas, failure to recognize chloroquine-resistant areas, and failure to understand the use of, or contraindications to, mefloquine. Frequently, acclimatization, altitude sickness, sunscreens, and safe-sex issues were omitted. The prevention and treatment of travelers' diarrhea were adequately covered, however. Pre-travel advice given by North American health advisors shows a considerable variability in the accuracy and extent necessary for effective travel disease prevention and treatment. Despite the growing efforts to further educate those responsible, higher quality of health advice needs to become a priority.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

Health Behavior of International Travelers to Calcutta: Identifying the Need for a Travelers' Clinic.

With the growing rates of travel and, potentially therefore, of travel-related illness in India, this study was conducted to establish both the need of a travelers' clinic in Calcutta and a profile of the group or groups at risk of illness best served by such facilities. A total of 452 visitors, half business and package holiday travelers (group A) and half younger, low-budget tourists with less pretravel advice (group B), were compared. Through a questionnaire, their health, pretravel advice and prophylaxis, use of first aid, safe water use, posttravel treatment, and opinion concerning the need for a travelers' clinic were determined. Group A travelers stayed in deluxe hotels with more pretravel advice (90% compared to 72% in group B), were taking antimalarial agents (82% compared to 61% in group B), remained healthy (72% compared to 58% in group B), consumed safe water (87% compared to 47% in group B), and were more likely to seek posttravel treatment (75% compared to 60% in group B). The group B travelers, consequently, felt an increasing need for a travelers' clinic (92% compared to 82% in group A). Given the complexities of travel in India, there is a palpable need for appropriate medical attention to travelers, especially among the young, budget tourists, which is best provided at a travelers' clinic.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quality assessment in a travel clinic: a study of travelers' knowledge about malaria.

BACKGROUND: Quality in health care delivery is considered essential and should be expected for all who deliver health care. We were not able to identify in Portugal any previous studies that assessed the quality of travel medicine consultations. The aims of this study was to assess the impact of travel health advice on travelers' knowledge and the quality of the outcome of the travel consultations at the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Portugal. METHOD: We selected the quasi-experimental model "separate-sample pretest-posttest design." Two random samples were obtained (control and experimental groups). An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was applied during the second half of 2002, until we had received about 200 questionnaires for each group. The questions assessed travelers' knowledge of malaria, its transmission, prevention, and clinical features. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement of travelers' knowledge in the postconsultation group, with 98.5% of individuals understanding that malaria is transmitted by mosquito bite (p= 0.005), 91.5% that malaria may be prevented by appropriate prophylactic medication (p= 0.007), and 93% knowing that malaria is prevented by avoiding mosquito bites (p= 0.003). However, almost half of the postconsultation group did not realize that there was no vaccine available for preventing malaria (p < 0.001) or that avoiding unsafe food and drink did not prevent malaria (p= 0.006). About 53% gave correct answers about malaria incubation periods (p < 0.001), and 91.1% were able to identify the initial symptoms of malaria (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Travel medicine consultations increase the knowledge base of travelers but do not achieve 100% correct answers. Our results suggest that during a travel health consultation, critical information is assimilated about the prevention of malaria, but myths and misunderstandings that are held by travelers are not completely dispelled.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Traveling healthy: a guide for counseling the international traveler.

Pretravel medical history and itinerary review coupled with education and counseling precedes a mutual plan between the provider and the traveler for appropriate immunizations, prophylaxis for malaria, and precautions against travelers' diarrhea. This article provides a useful tool for taking a travel history, an overview of the immunizations recommended, and behavioral practices for prevention of illness and injury. Traveler-friendly resources are available for pretravel advice, health care abroad, emergency medical transport, special needs travelers, and U.S. State Department advisories. Planning should begin as early as possible to allow time for vaccine series, separation of vaccines to avoid adverse interactions, as well as prophylactic antimalarials that need to be initiated in advance of travel. Travelers with special needs should prepare ahead for access to care, medications, and medical identification. Returning travelers need to be counselled to report their travel to their provider if seeking medical attention post travel.

Adult↗