International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health

International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health

An Analysis of the Preventive Behavior and Attitudes of International Travelers from South East Asia; the Kuala Lumpur Airport Survey

Authors
Gerard Flaherty 1, 2
Muhammad Asyraf Maarof 1
Graham Fry 3
1 School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
2 International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3 Tropical Medical Bureau, Dublin, Ireland
10.20286/ijtmgh-03011
Abstract
Introduction: There has been significant growth in international tourism from South-East Asia. Travel medicine services are still quite limited in this region. Few data exists on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of travelers from South-East Asia regarding the prevention of travel-related health risks. The present study aimed to characterize the travel trends and risk reduction strategies of international travelers departing from a major Malaysian airport.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among international travelers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. A questionnaire recorded data on the demographic profile, travel patterns, travel health protective measures, sources of pre-travel health advice, personal perception of travel-related risk, and barriers to seeking health advice, travel vaccinations and malaria chemoprophylaxis.
Results: 36.8% of respondents had sought pre-travel health advice, mostly (64.7%) from their doctor. 23.6% of the travelers had received travel vaccinations. 40% of travelers were uninsured and over 50% did not know how to access medical care overseas. The survey revealed deficiencies in the risk perception of travelers regarding endemic infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, and rabies. A minority of the travelers reported an intention to avoid unsafe food and water, inform themselves of local disease outbreaks, pack a first-aid kit, and protect themselves from animal and mosquito bites.
Conclusions: This study highlights areas of concern in relation to the knowledge and behavior of the travelers surveyed and points to the need for raising public awareness in South-East Asia of the risks associated with international travel and the most efficient means of mitigating those risks. 
Keywords
Travel Health
Vaccinations
Risk Assessment
Tropical Infection
Chemoprophylaxis
Airport Survey
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  • Receive Date 02 December 2014
  • Revise Date 07 January 2015
  • Accept Date 15 January 2015