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Travel-Related Diseases and Injuries in Children and Adolescents: A Post-Travel Surveillance Questionnaire Assessment
Sara Fonseca1, Sara Pereira2, António Martins2
1Department of Pediatrics. Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João. Porto; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Pediatrics. Faculty of Medicine. University of Porto. Porto. Portugal.
Insights
International travel poses health risks for children, with 15.2% experiencing illness or injury. Travel to Africa and longer trips increase the risk of pediatric travel-related diseases and injuries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Travel Medicine
- Global Health Security
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Children and adolescents represent a growing segment of international travelers.
- Injuries and infectious diseases are significant safety concerns for pediatric travelers.
- Limited data exists on travel-related illnesses and injuries in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze travel-related diseases and injuries in pediatric travelers.
- To identify risk factors associated with travel-related illnesses and injuries.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of pre-travel health recommendations.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based study of 223 pediatric travelers (under 18) attending a pre-travel clinic from 2017-2019.
- Data collected on health and safety issues, including vaccinations, chemoprophylaxis, side effects, and travel-related illnesses/injuries.
- Analysis of disease occurrence, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- 84.8% of pediatric travelers experienced safe journeys.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common illness (41.2%) among the 15.2% who reported illness/injury.
- Travel to Africa and longer trip durations were significantly associated with increased risk of disease/injury.
Conclusions:
- 15.2% of pediatric travelers experienced disease or injury, with 47.1% requiring urgent medical attention.
- Conditions were generally not severe enough to require hospitalization.
- Travel to Africa and extended trip durations are identified as risk factors for pediatric travel-related health issues.
Introduction:
Children and adolescents are a relevant and increasing proportion of travelers. Injuries and infectious diseases in children are safety concerns when traveling. However, data on diseases and injuries during international travels in children are not available. The aims of this study were to analyze travel-related diseases and injuries among pediatric travelers during and after international trips, to identify risk factors for travel-associated disease, and to evaluate the compliance and effectiveness of the recommendations provided in pre-travel appointments.
Material And Methods:
We enrolled travelers aged under 18 years attending a pre-travel clinic, in a tertiary hospital (2017 - 2019); 223 of the 370 pediatric travelers attending the pre-travel clinic were included. The study was based on a questionnaire designed to address health and safety issues - vaccines and chemoprophylaxis, including side effects, the occurrence of disease or injury, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
Results:
The median age at pre-travel evaluation was eight years; 39.7% of the travelers were adolescents, 52.5% were female. The participants traveled to 40 countries across four continents, with a median travel duration of 14.5 days. Asia was the most visited continent. Traveling was safe for 84.8%. From 34 travelers who had illness/injury, gastrointestinal symptoms were elicited in 41.2%. Sixteen (47.1%) travelers required an urgent medical appointment at the destination, and no one was hospitalized. Destinations in Africa and longer trips were significantly associated with a higher occurrence of disease/injury (p = 0.023 and p < 0.001, respectively). In a multivariable model, traveling to Africa was still significantly associated with travel-related disease/injury [OR = 2.736 (1.037 - 7.234)].
Conclusion:
Disease/injury occurred in 15.2% of pediatric travelers. Even though 47.1% of the travelers required an urgent medical appointment, the developed conditions were not severe enough to warrant hospitalization. Travels to Africa and longer trips seem to be associated with a higher risk of disease and injury.
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