Rabies knowledge gaps and risk behaviour in Dutch travellers: An observational cohort study

Area of Science:

• * Travel Medicine
• * Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

• * Rabies poses a significant health risk to travelers visiting endemic regions.
• * Understanding traveler knowledge, risk perception, and behaviors is crucial for effective pre-travel education.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To assess rabies knowledge, risk perception, and behaviors among Dutch travelers.
• * To identify gaps in pre-travel rabies education and inform risk mitigation strategies.

Main Methods:

• * A cohort study involving Dutch adult travelers.
• * Utilized pre-travel and post-travel surveys to gather data on knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors.
• * Analyzed survey responses from 301 participants pre-travel and 276 post-travel.

Main Results:

• * 21.6% of travelers demonstrated poor rabies knowledge, with unawareness regarding transmission by cats/bats and PEP indications.
• * Over 50% reported animal contact during travel; only one participant with exposure took adequate PEP measures.
• * Risk factors for animal contact included frequent animal touching, longer trips, and childhood pet ownership.

Conclusions:

• * Current pre-travel rabies education is insufficient, resulting in knowledge deficits and risky behaviors.
• * Enhanced pre-travel advice should prioritize animal contact avoidance and clarify post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) indications.
• * Improved traveler education is essential to reduce rabies risk during international travel.