Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding travel medicine among health care workers in a tertiary care centre

Abstract

Background: International travel whether for business, work or other reasons is increasing very rapidly. Along with this the risk for travel related illness has also increased exponentially as a very few travellers seek pre and post travel advice and our health care workers can play an important role in this field. To access the current knowledge, attitude, practice of travel medicine among health care workers. Methods: The participants were briefed about the purpose of the study prior to its commencement. The questionnaire was framed in 2 sections. Section I covered the demographic profile while section II pertained to knowledge, attitude and practice. The questions were developed focusing on the domains that were already used in similar published literature. A Google form link was sent to the participants and they were given a time span of 2 days to completely fill the Google Form. Results: Nearly all the participants had a fair knowledge regarding travel medicine (52.1%), associated diseases with it (68.6%) and the most common medicines to be prescribed during travel (65.3%). But (71.9%) were still unaware about the recommended guidelines related to travel medicine. A great number of participants (90%) were of the impression to create awareness among HCWs about presentation of illness in travellers. Most of the HCWs (72.7%) were aware of the issues that needed to be addressed in pre-travel consultation which could help to reduce the risk of illness and injury during travel. Most of HCWs (81%) were of the belief to encompass training related to travel medicine to be incorporated in medical curriculum. Conclusion: HCWs has fair knowledge and positive attitude and practices with more trainings in the form of workshops and CMEs on Travel Medicine.