[Malaria prevention: the role of the general practitioner].
OBJECTIVE
To find whether the prophylactic measures against malaria used by travellers to the WHO-defined endemic zones are adequate and what role the General Practitioner plays in their prescription.


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
El Prat de Llobregat (Barcelona) airport and four Primary Care practices in Barcelona province.


METHODS
Susceptible travellers coming from zones with effective transmission of the disease.


RESULTS
142 people satisfied the inclusion criteria, average age 32.8 and 52.1% women. 25.4% had visited type A transmission zones; 23.2%, type B; and 48.6%, type C. Trips which were not formally organised made up 61.3% of the total. 75.4% of travellers received health advice before leaving, but only 3.8% asked their G.P.. Indication of prophylactic measures was correct in 108 people (74.6%); there was under-dosage in 4 (2.8%) and incorrect medication in 32 (22.5%). 85.5% of travellers complied with prescribed amounts. 15.6% had pharmacological side-effects.


CONCLUSIONS
At present, there is a hole in primary prophylaxis for malaria for travellers to the WHO's zone A. General Practitioners can and must prefer advice to the traveller on this question.
Valerio Sallent
L
L
Comissió de Cooperació de la Societat Catalana de Medicina Familiar i Comunitària.
Roca i Saumell
C
C
Llorens Morales
M J
MJ
Mascort i Roca
J J
JJ
Solsona Díaz
L
L
Ferrer-Vidal Cortella
D
D
D000328:Adult; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D013030:Spain; D014195:Travel; D014944:World Health Organization
Profilaxis antipalúdica: el papel del médico de cabecera.