Tour leaders with detailed knowledge of travel-related diseases play a key role in disease prevention

Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Feb;97(6):e9806. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000009806.

Abstract

In Taiwan, group tours are a popular mode of international travel; hence, group tour leaders must ensure traveler safety and health. This study identified factors influencing tour leaders' willingness to recommend pretravel medical consultation and vaccination.A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was administered to tour leaders from January 2011 to December 2012. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the odds ratios of having a positive attitude and willingness based on different knowledge scores of the tour leaders after adjustments for age, sex, education level, and seniority.Tour leaders with a more detailed knowledge of both travel-related infectious and noninfectious diseases demonstrated a higher willingness to receive vaccination. They believed that consultation at travel clinics before travel can improve travelers' health (P < .05).This study supports the importance and effectiveness on educating tour leaders' knowledge about travel-related diseases to improve health care for travelers.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Education / methods*
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organizational Culture
  • Professional Role
  • Safety Management / methods
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Taiwan
  • Travel*
  • Travel-Related Illness*