[Vaccination status and illnesses in foreign travelers]

Millions of German citizens travel outside Europe every year. How they prepare themselves for these travels from a medical viewpoint, or whether they fall ill during these travels is inadequately researched. The German National Health Interview and Examination Survey showed that 11% of the people questioned travelled to Africa, Asia, South or Central America within the last three years. The highest proportion of these travellers was in the 20-59 year age group. Men travelled more frequently than women. The travellers also had better vaccination coverage against tetanus and polio compared to those who had not travelled. 30% of the travellers to endemic areas for malaria had received malaria prophylaxis and 30% who travelled to endemic areas for yellow fever were protected by vaccination. 28% of those questioned said they experienced general health problems related to their travel, mostly due to mild diarrhea.