Pre-travel preparation of US travelers going abroad to provide humanitarian service, Global TravEpiNet 2009-2011

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2014 Mar;90(3):553-559. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0479. Epub 2014 Jan 20.

Abstract

We analyzed characteristics of humanitarian service workers (HSWs) seen pre-travel at Global TravEpiNet (GTEN) practices during 2009-2011. Of 23,264 travelers, 3,663 (16%) travelers were classified as HSWs. Among HSWs, 1,269 (35%) travelers were medical workers, 1,298 (35%) travelers were non-medical service workers, and 990 (27%) travelers were missionaries. Median age was 29 years, and 63% of travelers were female. Almost one-half (49%) traveled to 1 of 10 countries; the most frequent destinations were Haiti (14%), Honduras (8%), and Kenya (6%). Over 90% of travelers were vaccinated for or considered immune to hepatitis A, typhoid, and yellow fever. However, for hepatitis B, 292 (29%) of 990 missionaries, 228 (18%) of 1,298 non-medical service workers, and 76 (6%) of 1,269 medical workers were not vaccinated or considered immune. Of HSWs traveling to Haiti during 2010, 5% of travelers did not receive malaria chemoprophylaxis. Coordinated efforts from HSWs, HSW agencies, and clinicians could reduce vaccine coverage gaps and improve use of malaria chemoprophylaxis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Altruism
  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Malaria / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Missionaries
  • Religious Missions / statistics & numerical data*
  • Travel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Travel Medicine
  • United States
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data*
  • Workforce
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antimalarials