BACKGROUND: The number of American study abroad students increased more than 150% in the past decade, along with growth in destinations with increased health risks. This study investigated travel health risk perceptions and prevention behaviors to guide interventions that address the emerging health needs of US study abroad students. METHOD: A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 318 American study abroad students using a Web-based survey. RESULTS: The primary source of travel health information was youth-oriented travel guidebooks (85%). The grand mean risk perception score for 18 travel health threats was 1.7 on a 1 to 4 scale, with top-rated threats being contaminated food/water, psychological distress, personal assault, and excessive sun exposure. Predeparture advice was received from primary care providers (52%) and travel health specialists (18%). Additional prevention measures were vaccines (42%) and medication (24%). Of 114 students listing their travel vaccinations, 11% described receiving a malaria vaccine and 4% a hepatitis C vaccine, although no such vaccines exist. Most respondents were confident/very confident in their ability to engage in prevention behaviors (94%). Health problems were primarily infectious disease (70%), psychological distress (10%), and injuries (8%). When asked if prior travel destinations involved areas where malaria transmission occurs, 20% responded, "Don't know." CONCLUSIONS: Identified gaps in travel health knowledge and prevention behaviors may produce hazardous consequences when combined with low-perceived risk, reliance on travel guidebooks for health information, and high ratings for prevention self-efficacy. Future research is needed to test the effectiveness of educational interventions designed for student travelers who would benefit from guided practice with destination-specific risk appraisal and prevention planning. Web-based educational resources are a good fit for this population because they are easily updated, available in all phases of travel, and can accommodate interactive multimedia designs that actively engage and motivate students to adopt prevention behaviors.
BACKGROUND: The number of American study abroad students increased more than 150% in the past decade, along with growth in destinations with increased health risks. This study investigated travel health risk perceptions and prevention behaviors to guide interventions that address the emerging health needs of US study abroad students. METHOD: A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 318 American study abroad students using a Web-based survey. RESULTS: The primary source of travel health information was youth-oriented travel guidebooks (85%). The grand mean risk perception score for 18 travel health threats was 1.7 on a 1 to 4 scale, with top-rated threats being contaminated food/water, psychological distress, personal assault, and excessive sun exposure. Predeparture advice was received from primary care providers (52%) and travel health specialists (18%). Additional prevention measures were vaccines (42%) and medication (24%). Of 114 students listing their travel vaccinations, 11% described receiving a malaria vaccine and 4% a hepatitis C vaccine, although no such vaccines exist. Most respondents were confident/very confident in their ability to engage in prevention behaviors (94%). Health problems were primarily infectious disease (70%), psychological distress (10%), and injuries (8%). When asked if prior travel destinations involved areas where malaria transmission occurs, 20% responded, "Don't know." CONCLUSIONS: Identified gaps in travel health knowledge and prevention behaviors may produce hazardous consequences when combined with low-perceived risk, reliance on travel guidebooks for health information, and high ratings for prevention self-efficacy. Future research is needed to test the effectiveness of educational interventions designed for student travelers who would benefit from guided practice with destination-specific risk appraisal and prevention planning. Web-based educational resources are a good fit for this population because they are easily updated, available in all phases of travel, and can accommodate interactive multimedia designs that actively engage and motivate students to adopt prevention behaviors.
Authors: Stefan H F Hagmann; Pauline V Han; William M Stauffer; Andy O Miller; Bradley A Connor; DeVon C Hale; Christina M Coyle; John D Cahill; Cinzia Marano; Douglas H Esposito; Phyllis E Kozarsky Journal: Fam Pract Date: 2014-09-26 Impact factor: 2.267
Authors: Anita E Heywood; Rochelle E Watkins; Sopon Iamsirithaworn; Kessarawan Nilvarangkul; C Raina MacIntyre Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-05-02 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Jakrapun Pupaibool; Hemantha Walaliyadda; Benjamin Tasevac; Ben J Brintz; In Kyu Park; Michael Graves; L Scott Benson; Peter Hale; Justin Powell; Daniel T Leung Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2021-09-27 Impact factor: 3.707
Authors: Kenji Adachi; Margaret S Coleman; Nomana Khan; Emily S Jentes; Paul Arguin; Sowmya R Rao; Regina C LaRocque; Mark J Sotir; Gary Brunette; Edward T Ryan; Martin I Meltzer Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2013-09-06 Impact factor: 9.079