Factors affecting the use of anti-malaria preventive measures among Taiwan immigrants returning to malaria-endemic regions.
The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of anti-malaria preventive measures (AMPMs) among Taiwan immigrants returning to their country of origin using the Health Belief Model (HBM). Between March and May 2011, all permanent immigrants originating from malaria-endemic countries, attended by either the Taipei or Tainan Immigrant Service Center, Taiwan, and who reported a history of returning to their country of origin within the preceding year during the malarious season in their country of origin were enrolled in the study. Complete information was collected from 316 immigrants, with a response rate of 87% (316/364). The mean age of the subjects was 38.1 years (SD = 9.9). The majority (70%) of participants did not receive travel information through a pre-travel consultation; more than 40% reported that they did not use measures to prevent insect bites. Multiple regression analyses revealed that Chinese proficiency, travel consultation before travel, lower perceived susceptibility to malaria, higher perceived severity of malaria infection, higher perceived benefit for taking measures, and higher self-efficacy for taking measures significantly predicted the use of AMPMs during the return to their country of origin (R(2) = 0.20; F = 50.42; P < 0.001). A high proportion of immigrants were not using appropriate AMPMs when they returned to their country. Educational approaches should be targeted toward immigrants who return to visit their country of origin.
Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Wen-Shin
WS
Hung
Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Susan C
SC
Hu
First Division, Centers for Disease Control, Department of Health, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yu-Chen
YC
Hsu
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, China University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan.
Kwo-Liang
KL
Chen
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, China University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan.
Kou-Huang
KH
Chen
Department of Chemical Engineering, Tatung University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Mei-Ching
MC
Yu
Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Occupational Disease, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan. Electronic address: kowton@ms81.hinet.net.
Kow-Tong
KT
Chen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013624:Taiwan; D014195:Travel; D055815:Young Adult
D000962:Antimalarials
Health belief model; Malaria; Prediction; Taiwan