Abstract
Volunteers and humanitarian aid workers working in disaster struck areas of the world are a vulnerable group of travelers. Nepal saw an influx of these humanitarian aid workers following earthquakes in April and May 2015. This study was undertaken to find out the pre-travel preparation and to estimate the risk of disease while the volunteers were deployed in Nepal. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at CIWEC Hospital located in Kathmandu. A questionnaire was given to all volunteers and aid workers who arrived at the hospital for evaluation of health related problems and agreed to be part of the study. Ninety-five volunteers were enrolled in the study. Among these, 65 (68%) were female and 30 (32%) were male. The immunizations received before travel were Hepatitis A 82 (86%), Hepatitis B 82 (86%), Typhoid 70 (73%), Rabies 38 (40%), Japanese Encephalitis 34 (36%), Influenza within last one year 23 (24%), measles 48 (51%), Cholera 34 (36%),Tetanus within 10 years 71 (75%) and Varicella 38 (40%). Forty-four (45%) of travelers carried medication for treatment of Traveler's Diarrhea (TD) which included Ciprofloxacin, Azithromycin, Loperamide and others like Metronidazole and Charcoal. The common illnesses encountered were gastrointestinal, skin problems , injury and musculoskeletal problems, respiratory problems, genitourinary problems, cardiovascular, psychological problems, syncope, and miscellaneous. Traveler's Diarrhea and dermatological problems were the most common health related problems. Volunteers were not properly prepared for self-treatment and pre-travel preparation was sub-optimal. Important pre travel health advice will decrease the incidence of health problems in this group.
Highlights
Volunteers and humanitarian aid workers working in disaster struck areas of the world are a vulnerable group of travelers
The study group included volunteers and aid workers involved in post-earthquake rehabilitation work, who presented to the clinic with health related problems and agreed to be part of the study
Typhoid vaccine is recommended for all travelers to Nepal
Summary
Volunteers and humanitarian aid workers working in disaster struck areas of the world are a vulnerable group of travelers. Planning and training are critical to optimal emergency response.[4] We conducted this study to find out the perceived risks and preparedness prior to working as a volunteer in earthquake affected areas in Nepal and to evaluate disease conditions that affected these. Correspondence: Dr Durga Bhandari, CIWEC Hospital and Bhandari et al Health Problems while Working as a Volunteer or Humanitarian Aid Worker in Post-Earthquake Nepal volunteers while working as a relief worker. These volunteers were mostly working in villages away from Kathmandu in a non- medical setting
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