Descriptive analysis of malaria prophylaxis for travellers from Greece visiting malaria-endemic countries

• Published in: Travel medicine and infectious disease 2011-11, Vol.9 (6), p.284-288
• Main Authors: Pavli, Androula, Smeti, Paraskevi, Spilioti, Athina, Vakali, Annita, Katerelos, Panagiotis, Maltezou, Helena C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Africa South of the Sahara; Aged; Antimalarials - therapeutic use; Asia, Southeastern; Camping; Child; Child, Preschool; Disease control; Disease prevention; Drug Prescriptions - statistics & numerical data; Endemic Diseases - prevention & control; Epidemiology; Female; Greece; Hotels; Humans; India; Infant; Infectious Disease; Malaria; Malaria - drug therapy; Malaria - epidemiology; Malaria - prevention & control; Malaria-endemic countries; Male; Middle Aged; Middle East; Outdoor activities; Prescription; Prophylaxis; Public health; Rural areas; South America; Travel; Travel Medicine; Travellers; Vector-borne diseases; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1477-8939; 1873-0442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2011.09.005

Summary International travel is changing the epidemiology of imported malaria. Our aim was to study malaria prophylaxis administered to travellers from Greece. The study was conducted during 2008–2009. Data were collected using a standardized form. A total of 2337 travellers were studied; prophylaxis was recommended to 60.2% of them. Of the 2337 travellers, 32.6% travelled to sub-Saharan Africa, 25.5% to South America, 11.8% to Indian subcontinent, 11.7% to Middle East, and 4.4% to Southeast Asia; prophylaxis was recommended to 77.4%, 64%, 80.6%, 4.8% and 73.5% of them, respectively. According to the purpose of travel, prophylaxis was recommended to 85.4% of those travelling for work, 75.2% of those visiting friends and relatives, and 62% of those travelling for recreation. Prophylaxis advised was provided to 68.5%, 66.2%, 61.5%, and 18.9% to those staying at a residence of local people, camping, hotels, and cruise ships, respectively. Regarding long-term travellers, malaria prophylaxis was recommended to 42.6%. Recommendation of malaria prophylaxis was significantly statistically in association with destination countries, purpose of travel, type of residence in endemic areas There is a need to improve recommendations for malaria prophylaxis for travellers from Greece, and to increase awareness and education of professionals providing travel health services in Greece.