Pre-travel preparation of US travelers going abroad to provide humanitarian service, Global TravEpiNet 2009-2011.
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.
Rhett J
RJ
Stoney
Emily S
ES
Jentes
Mark J
MJ
Sotir
Phyllis
P
Kozarsky
Sowmya R
SR
Rao
Regina C
RC
LaRocque
Edward T
ET
Ryan
The Global TravEpiNet Consortium
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000533:Altruism; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D066189:Missionaries; D008921:Religious Missions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014195:Travel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057236:Travel Medicine; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000078329:Workforce; D055815:Young Adult
D000962:Antimalarials