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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the present study was to assess the awareness about travel-related health problems among Umra and Haj travelers in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Background Several surveys have demonstrated that high proportions of travelers are unaware about travel-related health problems. These problems vary in significance, from relatively minor to life threatening conditions, including infectious and noninfectious diseases. Patient and methods This cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out in the Shebin El-Kom District, Menoufia Governorate, during the period from 1 April 2013 till the end of October 2016. A predesigned questionnaire was used that included questions related to the participants' socioeconomic status, travel circumstances, and travel knowledge, attitude, and practices. Results The study included 400 participants – 16.2% males and 83.3% females. Their mean age was 45.96 ± 14.16 years. About two-thirds had no knowledge regarding common infectious diseases (60%) and mode of disease transmission (62.5%). Most of the participants had no knowledge about the importance of vaccination (76.2%), and also, most of the participants had a positive attitude toward different items related to travel as they agreed regarding practice. In addition, more than half of the participants had never sought any advice before travel, and only 10% reported starting preparation 2 weeks before travel. Conclusion The review demonstrated an inadequate level of travelers' knowledge, poor utilization of travel medicine services, and poor practising of seeking pretravel health advice, thus indicating a low knowledge, attitude, and practices among the studied participants. This highlights the need for an increase in the awareness about travel-related health problems among Haj and Umra travelers.

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