Engin Burak Selcuk1, Uner Kayabas2, Hulisi Binbasioglu3, Baris Otlu4, Yasar Bayindir5, Bulent Bozdogan6, Mehmet Karatas7. 1. Department of Family Medicine, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey. 2. Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, 44280, Malatya, Turkey. Electronic address: unerkayabas@hotmail.com. 3. Department of Tourism and Hotel Management, Inonu University Kale Vocational School, Malatya, Turkey. 4. Department of Medical Microbiology, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey. 5. Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, 44280, Malatya, Turkey. 6. Department of Medical Microbiology, Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Aydın, Turkey. 7. Department of Medical History and Ethics, Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The number of international travellers is increasing worldwide. Although health risks related to international travel are important and generally well-understood, the perception of these risks was unclear among Turkish travellers. We aimed to evaluate the attitudes and health risk awareness of Turkish travellers travelling to African countries. METHOD: A survey was performed of Turkish travellers bound for Africa from Istanbul International Ataturk Airport in July 2013. RESULTS: A total of 124 travellers were enrolled in the study. Among them, 62.9% had information about their destination but only 11.3% had looked for information on health problems related to travel and their destination. Of all travellers, 53.2% had at least one vaccination before travelling. The most commonly administered vaccine was for typhoid. Among the travellers, 69.3% and 80.6% had "no idea" about yellow fever vaccination and malaria prophylaxis, respectively. A positive correlation was found between a higher level of travellers' education and receiving the recommended vaccination for the destination. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed significant gaps in the vaccination and chemoprophylaxis uptake of Turkish travellers departing to Africa. An awareness and training program should be developed for travellers, as well as public health workers, to address health risks related to travel.
BACKGROUND: The number of international travellers is increasing worldwide. Although health risks related to international travel are important and generally well-understood, the perception of these risks was unclear among Turkish travellers. We aimed to evaluate the attitudes and health risk awareness of Turkish travellers travelling to African countries. METHOD: A survey was performed of Turkish travellers bound for Africa from Istanbul International Ataturk Airport in July 2013. RESULTS: A total of 124 travellers were enrolled in the study. Among them, 62.9% had information about their destination but only 11.3% had looked for information on health problems related to travel and their destination. Of all travellers, 53.2% had at least one vaccination before travelling. The most commonly administered vaccine was for typhoid. Among the travellers, 69.3% and 80.6% had "no idea" about yellow fever vaccination and malaria prophylaxis, respectively. A positive correlation was found between a higher level of travellers' education and receiving the recommended vaccination for the destination. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed significant gaps in the vaccination and chemoprophylaxis uptake of Turkish travellers departing to Africa. An awareness and training program should be developed for travellers, as well as public health workers, to address health risks related to travel.
Authors: Abdoulkader Ali Adou; Francesco Napolitano; Alessandra Vastola; Italo Francesco Angelillo Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-04-12 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Hanin Saleh AlOwaini; Rizwan Suliankatchi Abdulkader; Qusay Fahad Almahmoud; Abdulaziz Eyad Alqudaimi; Raneem Saied Al-Ghamdi; Wateen Ahmed Alhamoud; Hasan Keriri Journal: J Family Med Prim Care Date: 2019-10-31