International Travel Medicine Center of Iran
International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health
2322-1100
2476-5759
6
1
2018
02
01
Bone Marrow Transplantation and Medical Tourism at Erciyes University - A Single Center Experience
1
6
EN
Nicolette
Leonie
Tiren-Verbeet
Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
nicoletteleonie@gmail.com
Mustafa
Cetin
0000-0002-6861-6659
Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
mcetin2000@yahoo.com
Emine
Alp
0000-0003-0189-6008
Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
ealp@erciyes.edu.tr
Mehmet
Doganay
0000-0003-3922-4901
Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
mdoganay@erciyes.edu.tr
10.15171/ijtmgh.2018.01
Medical tourism emerged when people were challenged with high costs and slow service in medical care. As a consequence of these issues, people started to look for medical treatment in other countries. Globalization accelerated the growth of medical tourism. Several “push” and “pull” factors play roles in the motivation of patients to become a medical tourist. This review addresses the different aspects of medical tourism in general, describes the development of medical tourism in Turkey, and describes experiences with medical tourism in the Bone Marrow Transplantation Center (BMTC) at Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. Since January 2016, an international collaboration has existed between BMTC and the King Hamed University Hospital (KHUH) in Bahrain. Ten allogeneic stem cell transplantations (SCTs) have been performed on patients from Bahrain with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Hodgkin lymphoma, and myelofibrosis. Furthermore, ten autologous SCT have been conducted on patients from Bahrain with multiple myeloma (MM), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In 2016, transplant-related mortality (TRM) at 100 days among Bahrain patients was 0% compared to 2.6% in all patients. Although these numbers are small, the first results show that the outcomes of international patients are similar to those of non-international patients. In our experience, the key to a successful collaboration between international hospitals is having close communication regarding the treatment of the international patient. The outcome of a large group of international compared with non-international patients should be further studied.
Medical tourism,Health tourism,Bone Marrow Transplantation
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_55844.html
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_55844_b335e552019a5b2732b9b963d19cec93.pdf
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran
International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health
2322-1100
2476-5759
6
1
2018
02
01
Update on Epidemiology and Circulating Genotypes of Rotavirus in Iranian Children With Severe Diarrhea: 1986-2015
7
10
EN
Somayeh
Jalilvand
0000-0001-6390-8399
Virology Department, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Farzin
Roohvand
0000-0002-9597-3555
Virology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Arash
Arashkia
0000-0002-3117-3217
Virology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Zabihollah
Shoja
0000-0001-5617-5844
Virology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
z_shoja@pasteur.ac.ir
10.15171/ijtmgh.2018.02
Rotaviruses are the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children under 5 years of age worldwide with a higher prevalence in developing countries. In accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for the global use of rotavirus vaccines, it is important to review trends of rotavirus epidemiology, distribution and diversity of rotavirus strains in the pre-vaccine period. In Iran, the average rotavirus positivity rate is 40.04% in all patients under 5 years of age hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Studies have shown a substantial increase in the rotavirus detection rate over time from 1986 to 2013. Moreover, there has been continued predominance of G (G1) and P (P[8]) genotypes, although the peak prevalence of G1 appeared to decline in 2007-2011 compared to 2001-2006. The data presented in this review, which suggests a change in the pattern of rotavirus genotypes in the Iranian population, further highlights the important role of continuous monitoring of rotavirus genotypes before starting any national rotavirus vaccination program.
Rotavirus Group A,Epidemiology,Genotype,Iran
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_57619.html
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_57619_6fafcb3b3edca1c63924f5b31b934c59.pdf
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran
International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health
2322-1100
2476-5759
6
1
2018
02
01
Brazilian Public Health Policy for Cruise Ships - A Review of Morbidity and Mortality Rates - 2009/2015
11
15
EN
Dennis Minoru
Fujita
0000-0003-0419-5338
Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
dmfujita@usp.br
Luiz Henrique
da Silva Nali
Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
luiz.nali@usp.br
Rita
de Cassia Giraldi
Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
rgiraldi@usp.br
Gerusa Maria
Figueiredo
0000-0001-9657-9675
Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
gfigueiredo@usp.br
Heitor Franco
de Andrade Júnior
0000-0003-4697-4647
Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
hfandrad@usp.br
10.15171/ijtmgh.2018.03
<strong>Introduction:</strong> For 10 years, Brazil has presented a significant flow in cruise ships with 597 011 travelers in 2015. Cruise ships represent a major mass gathering capacity, generating more risk of outbreaks and epidemics. Moreover, visiting several places presents travelers with the possibility of contact with some tropical diseases, which demands the development of specific policies for public health surveillance.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> In this study, case reports on transmissible diseases, accidents and deaths on board of cruise ships in the Brazilian coast during 2009 to 2015 were reviewed and correlated with the development of public health surveillance policies implemented by ANVISA, which established the mandatory communication of infectious diseases in 2009 and of deaths onboard in 2011.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> Norovirus was the major etiologic agent of outbreaks, though the rate of outbreak has been declining in recent years. The lethality rate last season was 0.67:100 000, mostly because of preexisting conditions (75%); the remaining cases were caused by accidents. The mandatory reporting of outbreaks and deaths is an important tool in the planning of preventive actions for the safety and health of travelers in Brazil. The continuous evolution of hygiene surveillance may reduce outbreaks; the adoption of transparency policies and fast communication of deaths has contributed to the significant reduction in accidents.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The effectiveness of specific public policies for the safety and security of travelers established for cruise ships in Brazil is indicated by the quantitative reduction in outbreaks and deaths. New destinations such as Cuba and China may adopt the same strategy of surveillance and protection against potential outbreaks of infectious diseases provided by cruise ships.
Brazil,travelers,Outbreaks,Deaths,Cruises Ships,ANVISA
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_51470.html
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_51470_e63960bf28bfc3f96a4d8b57b51b31e3.pdf
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran
International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health
2322-1100
2476-5759
6
1
2018
02
01
Travel Health Survey: Risk Perception, Health-Seeking Behavior, and Subjective Evaluation of Travel Health Services in Egypt
16
24
EN
Engy
Mohamed
El-Ghitany
0000-0002-3157-1629
Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
ingy.elghitany@gmail.com
Mohamed
Abdelmohsen
0000-0003-0109-8620
Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
m_abdelsalam_79@yahoo.com
Azza
Galal
Farghaly
0000-0001-9099-3584
Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
farghalyazza.20@gmail.com
Ensaf
Abd El-Gawwad
Health Education and Behavioral Science Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
ensafabdel1@hotmail.com
Ekram
Wassim
Abd El-Wahab
0000-0003-4220-5859
Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
ekramwassim@gmail.com
10.15171/ijtmgh.2018.04
<strong>Introduction:</strong> Travel health practice and research in Egypt lag behind both needs and demands. This study was done in two parts to assess travel health knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among Egyptian travelers.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> This survey was conducted at the departure halls of Cairo International Airport and included 1500 travelers to Africa (excluding North Africa), Southeast Asia, and Latin America. An interview questionnaire was used to measure the KAP of travelers inquiring about different aspects of pre-travel health. Subjective evaluations of travel health services and suggestions for improvement were also solicited.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> Travelers in this study were mainly males (89.3%), less than 40 years of age (82%), living in urban residences (89.1%), married (65.9%), university educated (83.3%), traveling for work (69.1%) with destinations of Africa (61.3%), Asia (28.4%), and Latin America (10.3%). They had poor travel-associated risk perception, and only 13.4% had risk management plan. Less than half (42.4%) sought information about their destination, and 11.9% sought health information; their source of information was mainly the internet (98.7%). The majority had poor scores on various travel-related practices, including seeking pre-travel health services (87.9%), receiving pre-travel vaccines (91.3%), and using malaria chemoprophylaxis (90.6%). The travel health services were rated good by 0.5% of travelers and bad, very bad, or undetermined by 11.4%, 61.3%, and 26.9% respectively.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Egyptian travelers, although mostly educated, had poor travel health perceptions and practices and are unsatisfied with the travel health services in Egypt.
Travel Medicine,Egypt,Surveys and Questionnaires
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_57734.html
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_57734_6dafc51bc6b2d1f9e0031ecc99b35b8d.pdf
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran
International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health
2322-1100
2476-5759
6
1
2018
02
01
Outbreak of Wilderness/Backcountry/Travelers’ Diarrhea at a Himalayan Base Camp at 4000 m/13,125 ft
25
29
EN
Inam Danish
Khan
0000-0002-9824-8711
Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Army College of Medical Sciences and Base Hospital, New Delhi, India
titan_afmc@yahoo.com
VK
Sashindran
Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India
drvksashindran768@hotmail.com
Gurpreet Singh
Sandhu
Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India
drgurpeeetsandhu222@gmail.com
Shazia
Khan
0000-0001-6284-4311
INHS Kalyani, Vishakhapatnam, India
drshaz001@yahoo.com
KS
Rajmohan
Army College of Medical Sciences and Base Hospital, New Delhi, India
drksrajmohan0001@yahoo.com
Ashwani Kumar
Pandey
Army College of Medical Sciences and Base Hospital, New Delhi, India
drashwanipandey60123@yahoo.com
Rahul
Pandey
Armed Forces Clinic, New Delhi, India
drrahulpandey550@yahoo.com
Rajvinder
Singh
Pension Paying Office, Dharan, Nepal
drrajvinder777@yahoo.com
Ajay Kumar
Sahni
0000-0002-4187-7648
Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India
drajaysahni0007@yahoo.com
Rajiv Mohan
Gupta
0000-0002-7698-8508
Army Hospital Research and Referral, New Delhi, India
drrajivgupta6121@yahoo.com
Manish
Ranjan
ESI Hospital Basaidarapur, New Delhi, India
drmanish1189@gmail.com
10.15171/ijtmgh.2018.05
<strong>Introduction:</strong> Wilderness or backcountry diarrhea is a type of travelers’ diarrhea commonly caused by Cryptosporidium and Giardia, which can survive freezing temperatures. Campsites pose additional risks worldwide, irrespective of developing or developed regions, due to inadequate hygiene.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> In a first of its kind, an outbreak of wilderness diarrhea at a semi-permanent Himalayan Base Camp at 4000 m/13,125 ft in Uttarkashi, India, was investigated and managed by empirical antimicrobials. Return of normal bowel function was considered as primary outcome, and return to routine training at Base Camp was considered secondary outcome.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> Sixty-two personnel presented with wilderness diarrhea of 5.58 days mean duration with onset after mean stay of 10.26 days, despite provisions for adequate camp hygiene and sanitation. Both primary and secondary outcomes were reached by all except three students who were evacuated on foot to the district referral hospital 56 km downhill from Base Camp. Hygiene was compromised due to cold weather/water. Epidemiological surveillance was not contributory.<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Wilderness diarrhea can present in outbreak proportions from formerly safe water sources due to variable microbial contamination. On-site diagnostics and management are required to control outbreaks of wilderness diarrhea. Traveler risk management strategies and traveler awareness/education can be a targeted mandatory intervention to enhance preparedness and resilience capital in outdoor and mountain environments.
Diarrhea,Travelers’ Diarrhea,Wilderness Diarrhea,Outbreak,Himalayas,High Altitude
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_57189.html
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_57189_c8fffe80f6f21634241527e2dd4acf81.pdf
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran
International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health
2322-1100
2476-5759
6
1
2018
02
01
Attempts to Achieve Millennium Development Goals in a Rural Area of Rio de Janeiro: Deworming and Control of Schistosomiasis
30
33
EN
Ricardo
Pereira
Igreja
0000-0003-1500-6547
Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
rpigreja@cives.ufrj.br
Magali
Muniz
Barreto
Lab. de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
mbarreto@ioc.fiocruz.br
Marisa
Silveira
Soares
Lab. de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
mssoares@ioc.fiocruz.br
10.15171/ijtmgh.2018.06
<strong>Introduction:</strong> According to the World Health Organization (WHO), helminth control could contribute to achieving 7 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The present study evaluated the impact of deworming on the infection rate of schistosomiasis in Sumidouro, Brazil and the consequences for the MDGs.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> The whole population of this area was invited to participate in the 2 stages of the study, the baseline from 2002 to 2003 and the follow-up from 2005 to 2006. Within this interval, no improvements to sanitation or access to safe water were undertaken. The statistical investigation was confined to the 164 people who were tested in both surveys. The diagnosis of parasitosis was based on coproscopy by Kato-Katz smears. Infected people were treated with a single oral dose of praziquantel.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> The infection rate of schistosomiasis dropped from 28.7% (n=47) to 6.7% (n=11). Among women of childbearing age, this rate decreased was from 27.8% (n=10) to 5.6% (n=2), and among children, it dropped from 14.6% (n=6) to 3.3% (n=1).<br /> <strong>Conclusion:</strong> As there was no improvement in sanitation, deworming might have led to the reduced transmission of schistosomiasis. The drop in infection rate of schistosomiasis in children and women of childbearing age supports the argument that deworming would allow for the reduction of child mortality and the promotion of gender equality. A better future can also be foreseen, as no girl under 15 years of age was infected.
Schistosomiasis,Praziquantel,Rio de Janeiro,Brazil
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_57190.html
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_57190_fd2d37f010ad47539403df0c5847d2ab.pdf
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran
International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health
2322-1100
2476-5759
6
1
2018
02
01
Informal International Border Crossing, Refugee and Illegal Migrant Workers: Issue in Travel Medicine
34
34
EN
Viroj
Wiwanitkit
0000-0003-1039-3728
Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China
wviroj@yahoo.com
10.15171/ijtmgh.2018.07
Refugee,Migrant,Travel
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_51830.html
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_51830_2b144d3149a117685d49c2712862476b.pdf
International Travel Medicine Center of Iran
International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health
2322-1100
2476-5759
6
1
2018
02
01
Travel Medicine in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries
35
35
EN
Ayman
Al-Dahshan
Community Medicine Residency Program, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
aaldahshan@hamad.qa
Mohamad
Abdul Halim
Chehab
0000-0002-0862-2264
Community Medicine Residency Program, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
mohamadchehab1989@gmail.com
Mohamed
Bala
0000-0002-3111-8461
Community Medicine Residency Program, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
mbala@hamad.qa
10.15171/ijtmgh.2018.08
Travel Medicine,traveler,Health
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_57102.html
https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_57102_64b96ce2a159965b61677b361c702c2b.pdf