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Chandra R, Supehia S, Nath B, Chhetri C, Kumari R, Joshi KD, Sharma R, Chaudary J, Joshi K, Bhatta R, Bhatt CR. Effects of sanitation and hygiene perceptions on international travelers' health, travel plans and trip experiences in India. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1042880. [PMID: 36568770 PMCID: PMC9774491 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1042880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background International travelers often experience travelers' diarrhea. However, there is paucity of data on whether self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms influence travelers' perceptions of adequacy of sanitation and hygiene services encountered during travel, and to what degree their travel plans, and overall trip experience are impacted. Methods A cross-sectional face-to-face survey was conducted amongst international travelers in India. Data collected included socio-demographics, travel characteristics, self-reported occurrence and frequency/severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, perceptions of sanitation and hygiene encountered, and adverse effects of symptoms on travel plans and trip experiences. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed to describe differences and associations between categorical variables. Results Of the 300 international travelers surveyed, 46.3% experienced diarrhea. At least two thirds of travelers perceived the quality of sanitation (67.0%) and hygiene (70.0%) encountered to be inadequate. Perceptions of inadequate sanitation (adjusted OR = 3.0; 95% CI 1.7-5.5) and poor hygiene (adjusted OR = 7.7; 95% CI 4.1-15.5) were higher among travelers who experienced diarrhea. Additionally, both higher likelihood of travel plans being affected (adjusted OR = 10.7; 95% CI 5.1-23.6) and adverse impacts on overall trip experience (adjusted OR = 2.8; 95% CI 1.4-5.8) were reported among those who experienced diarrhea. Conclusions More than two thirds of travelers surveyed in India experienced inadequate sanitation and hygiene services, with perceptions influenced by occurrence and frequency of diarrhea. Self-reported diarrhea was also associated with adverse effects on travel plans and overall trip experience. While these results may seem intuitive, they have important implications and suggest that improving sanitation and hygiene standards in India could potentially enhance tourism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishita Chandra
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sakshi Supehia
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India,Department of Community Medicine, Dr RP Government Medical College, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Bhola Nath
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Charu Chhetri
- Department of Community Medicine, Doon Medical College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ranjeeta Kumari
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Kumari Damayanti Joshi
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,School of Education, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Roshan Sharma
- Center for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jatin Chaudary
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India,Humsafar Trust, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kishor Joshi
- School of Physiotherapy and Allied Health, Sardar Bhagwan Singh Post Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Research, Dehradun, India
| | - Ramesh Bhatta
- Yeti Health Science Academy, Kathmandu, Nepal,Purbanchal University, Biratnagar, Nepal
| | - Chhavi R. Bhatt
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: Chhavi R. Bhatt
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Riccò M, Zaniboni A, Satta E, Baldassarre A, Cerviere MP, Marchesi F, Peruzzi S. Management and Prevention of Traveler's Diarrhea: A Cross-Sectional Study on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Italian Occupational Physicians (2019 and 2022). Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:370. [PMID: 36422921 PMCID: PMC9692574 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7110370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Even though Italian Occupational Physicians (OP) are increasingly involved in the managing of overseas workers, their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in travel medicine are mostly undefined. We, therefore, permed a KAP study specifically targeting the management of travelers' diarrhea (TD) by OP. A total of 371 professionals (43.4% males; mean age 40.8 ± 10.9 years) completed in 2 rounds (2019 and 2022) a specifically designed web questionnaire that inquired participating OP on their knowledge status (KS), risk perception, and management of TD through pre- and post-travel advice and interventions. Multivariable odds ratios (aOR) for predictors of a better knowledge status were calculated through regression analysis. Eventually, the majority of participants (53.4%) had participated in the management of cases of TD in the previous months, but only 26.4% were reportedly involved in pre-travel consultations. The overall knowledge status was unsatisfying (potential range: 0-100%, actual average of the sample 59.6% ± 14.6), with substantial uncertainties in the management of antimicrobial treatment. Interestingly, only a small subset of participants had previously prescribed antimicrobial prophylaxis or treatment (3.5% and 1.9%, respectively). Main effectors of a better knowledge status were: having a background qualification in Hygiene and Public Health (aOR 14.769, 95%CI 5.582 to 39.073), having previously managed any case of (aOR 3.107, 95%CI 1.484 to 6.506), and having higher concern on TD, reported by acknowledging high frequency (aOR 8.579, 95%CI 3.383 to 21.756) and severity (aOR 3.386; 95%CI 1.741 to 6.585) of this disorder. As the adherence of participating OP to official recommendations for TD management was unsatisfying, continuous Education on Travel Medicine should be improved by sharing up-to-date official recommendations on appropriate treatment options for TD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccò
- Servizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza Negli Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL), Department of Public Health, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, I-42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zaniboni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Elia Satta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Antonio Baldassarre
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | | | - Federico Marchesi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Simona Peruzzi
- Laboratorio Analisi Chimico Cliniche e Microbiologiche, Ospedale Civile di Guastalla, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, I-42016 Guastalla, Italy
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Ricco M, Gualerzi G, Ranzieri S. Personal beliefs and misconceptions, not evidence guide general practitioners in the managing of travelers' diarrhea: Results from a pilot study (North-Western Italy, 2019). Infect Dis Now 2020; 51:266-272. [PMID: 33160008 DOI: 10.1016/j.medmal.2020.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study aims to characterize knowledge, attitudes and practices in a sample of general practitioners (GPs) on management of travelers' diarrhea (TD). METHODS A total of 158 GPs (44.3% males; mean age 40.2±12.4 years) completed a web questionnaire on antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) and/or an antibiotic treatment (AT) in TD cases. Participants were inquired on knowledge status (KS), risk perception and effectively applied recommendations for AP/AT through a specifically designed questionnaire. Multivariate odds ratios (OR) for predictors of AP/AT were calculated through regression analysis. RESULTS All in all, while 15 (9.5%) participants recommended AP for TD, 61 of them (39.4%) recommended AT. KS was largely unsatisfying as participants extensively ignored the most recent AP/AT recommendations. Acknowledgment of TD as a severe disorder was predictive for recommendation of AP (OR 37.843, 95%CI 4.752-301.4). As for AT, it was relatively elevated in GPs≥10 years (OR 2.653, 95%CI 1.169-6.019), but more rarely reported in participants with higher KS (OR 0.056, 95%CI 0.021-0.153). CONCLUSIONS Adherence of GPs to official recommendations for TD management was unsatisfying, particularly in older participants. Continuous Education of GPs should be improved by sharing up-to-date official recommendations on AT/AP for TD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Ricco
- IRCCS-AUSL di Reggio Emilia; Service for Health and Safety in the Workplace, Department of Public Health, Via Amendola n.2, 42122 Reggio Emilia (RE), Italy.
| | - Giovanni Gualerzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery; School of Medicine, University of Parma, Via Gramsci n.14, Parma (PR), Italy
| | - Silvia Ranzieri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Occupational Medicine, University of Parma, Via Gramsci n.14, Parma (PR), Italy
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Campbell D, Bowen A, Bhatnagar A, McCullough A, Grass J, Chen J, Folster JP. Identification and characterization of Shigella with decreased susceptibility to azithromycin in the United States, 2005 to 2014. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2020; 21:417-419. [PMID: 31866575 PMCID: PMC10839632 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2019.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our objectives were to identify Shigella isolates in the United States with decreased susceptibility to azithromycin (DSA) and characterize the genetic mechanisms responsible for this resistance. METHODS The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collects and conducts broth microdilution antimicrobial susceptibility testing on Shigella to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for up to 15 drugs, including azithromycin. Isolates with decreased susceptibility to azithromycin were subjected to molecular methods (e.g., polymerase chain reaction [PCR], whole-genome sequencing, and plasmid typing/transformation) to identify the genetic mechanisms of resistance. RESULTS A total of 118 isolates with decreased susceptibility to azithromycin were tested-65 (55%) isolates contained only mphA, 1 (<1%) isolate contained only ermB, and 51 (43%) isolates contained both mechanisms. Seven isolates contained IncFII plasmids with mphA, ermB, or mphA and ermB, whereas one isolate contained an IncB/O plasmid with mphA. One (<1%) isolate that contained neither mphA nor ermB contained mutations in rrlH, rplD, and rplV genes and an insertion in rplV, the functions of which are not yet known. CONCLUSION Additional studies are needed to understand the effect on treatment outcomes, epidemiology and possible additional mechanisms responsible for the decreased susceptibility of azithromycin in Shigella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davina Campbell
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anna Bowen
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Julian Grass
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Jason P Folster
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Riddle MS. Travel, Diarrhea, Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance and Practice Guidelines—a Holistic Approach to a Health Conundrum. Curr Infect Dis Rep 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11908-020-0717-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Sanftenberg L, Kramer M, Esser S, Schelling J. Insights into needs of business travelers to China from calls to a medical assistance provider. Heliyon 2019; 5:e01237. [PMID: 30815606 PMCID: PMC6378333 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although 17.5% of German travelers were business travelers in the years 2011–2013, little is known about their pathologies. Recent publications indicate that infections are the primary health issue in general travelers. Our aim was to investigate whether business travelers from Germany to China also primarily suffer from infections. Methods From 2011 to 2013, 587 calls for service of German business travelers to China were collected by a medical assistance provider. 482 of these calls were evaluated regarding demographics, reported diseases and conditions and the type of service provided by the medical assistance company. Results The most common reasons for calls for service were “factors influencing health status and contact with health service” (18.8%), “injury and poisoning” (16.0%) as well as “symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions” (13.7%). Most patients asked for “medical advice” (37.8%), referral to “outpatient care” (25.1%) or “inpatient care” (16.6%). “Evacuation and/or repatriation” was required mainly due to “injury and poisoning” (n = 12), “diseases of the circulatory system” (n = 5) or “mental disorders” (n = 3). Conclusion German business travelers to China are seeking primarily administrative support from a medical assistance provider and are mostly affected by non-infectious diseases. Pre-travel preparation of such travelers need to place more emphasis on non-communicable health risks and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Sanftenberg
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Klinikum der Universität München, Germany
| | - Michaela Kramer
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Klinikum der Universität München, Germany
| | | | - Jörg Schelling
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Klinikum der Universität München, Germany
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