Lin H Chen1, Pauline V Han2, Mary E Wilson3, Rhett J Stoney2, Emily S Jentes2, Christine Benoit4, Winnie W Ooi5, Elizabeth D Barnett6, Davidson H Hamer7. 1. Travel Medicine Center, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: lchen@hms.harvard.edu. 2. Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. 3. Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. 4. Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Department of Research and Sponsored Programs, Minneapolis, MN, USA. 5. Travel and Tropical Medicine Clinic, Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington, MA, USA. 6. Maxwell Finland Laboratory for Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. 7. Center for Global Health and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: dhamer@bu.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Boston Area Travel Medicine Network surveyed travelers on travel-related health problems. METHODS: Travelers were recruited 2009-2011 during pre-travel consultation at three clinics. The investigation included pre-travel data, weekly during-travel diaries, and a post-travel questionnaire. We analyzed demographics, trip characteristics, health problems experienced, and assessed the relationship between influenza vaccination, influenza prevention advice, and respiratory symptoms. RESULTS: Of 987 enrolled travelers, 628 (64%) completed all surveys, of which 400 (64%) reported health problems during and/or after travel; median trip duration was 12 days. Diarrhea affected the most people during travel (172) while runny/stuffy nose affected the most people after travel (95). Of those with health problems during travel, 25% stopped or altered plans; 1% were hospitalized. After travel, 21% stopped planned activities, 23% sought physician or other health advice; one traveler was hospitalized. Travelers who received influenza vaccination and influenza prevention advice had lower rates of respiratory symptoms than those that received influenza prevention advice alone (18% vs 28%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of Boston-area travelers reported health problems despite pre-travel consultation, resulting in inconveniences. The combination of influenza prevention advice and influenza immunization was associated with fewer respiratory symptoms than those who received influenza prevention advice alone.
BACKGROUND: The Boston Area Travel Medicine Network surveyed travelers on travel-related health problems. METHODS: Travelers were recruited 2009-2011 during pre-travel consultation at three clinics. The investigation included pre-travel data, weekly during-travel diaries, and a post-travel questionnaire. We analyzed demographics, trip characteristics, health problems experienced, and assessed the relationship between influenza vaccination, influenza prevention advice, and respiratory symptoms. RESULTS: Of 987 enrolled travelers, 628 (64%) completed all surveys, of which 400 (64%) reported health problems during and/or after travel; median trip duration was 12 days. Diarrhea affected the most people during travel (172) while runny/stuffy nose affected the most people after travel (95). Of those with health problems during travel, 25% stopped or altered plans; 1% were hospitalized. After travel, 21% stopped planned activities, 23% sought physician or other health advice; one traveler was hospitalized. Travelers who received influenza vaccination and influenza prevention advice had lower rates of respiratory symptoms than those that received influenza prevention advice alone (18% vs 28%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of Boston-area travelers reported health problems despite pre-travel consultation, resulting in inconveniences. The combination of influenza prevention advice and influenza immunization was associated with fewer respiratory symptoms than those who received influenza prevention advice alone.
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