BMC Infectious Diseases
Volume 16, Issue 1, 2016

Improving the uptake of pre-travel health advice amongst migrant Australians: Exploring the attitudes of primary care providers and migrant community groups (Article) (Open Access)

Seale H.* , Kaur R. , Mahimbo A. , MacIntyre C.R. , Zwar N. , Smith M. , Worth H. , Heywood A.E.
  • a UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sydney, Australia
  • b UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sydney, Australia
  • c UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sydney, Australia
  • d UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sydney, Australia, Children's Hospital at Westmead, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Sydney, Australia
  • e UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sydney, Australia
  • f NSW Refugee Health Service, Sydney, Australia
  • g UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sydney, Australia
  • h UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sydney, Australia

Abstract

Background: Migrant travellers who return to their country of origin to visit family and friends (VFR) are less likely to seek travel-related medical care and are less likely to adhere to recommended medications and travel precautions. Through this study, we aimed to get an understanding of the views of stakeholders from community migrant centres and primary care providers on barriers for migrants, particularly from non-English speaking backgrounds, in accessing travel health advice and the strategies that could be used to engage them. Methods: A qualitative study involving 20 semi-structured interviews was undertaken in Sydney, Australia between January 2013 and September 2014. Thematic analysis was undertaken. Results: Language barriers, a lower perceived risk of travel-related infections and the financial costs of seeking pre-travel health care were nominated as being the key barriers impacting on the uptake of pre-travel health advice and precautions. To overcome pre-existing language barriers, participants advocated for the use of bilingual community educators, community radio, ethnic newspapers and posters in the dissemination of pre-travel health information. Conclusions: Travel is a major vector of importation of infectious diseases into Australia, and VFR travellers are at high risk of infection. Collaboration between the Government, primary care physicians, migrant community groups and migrants themselves is crucial if we are to be successful in reducing travel-related risks among this subgroup of travellers. © 2016 Seale et al.

Author Keywords

Attitudes Migrants Vaccination travel visiting friends and relatives Infectious diseases

Index Keywords

pre travel medical service information dissemination Australia risk human middle aged travel general practitioner communication skill qualitative research cultural sensitivity Surveys and Questionnaires Young Adult health care cost Humans migrant psychology import disease male semi structured interview female questionnaire New South Wales Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article manpower medical service help seeking behavior thematic analysis adult physician attitude migration health care access Physicians, Primary Care Australian infection Transients and Migrants vaccination attitude to health primary health care
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84974625335&doi=10.1186%2fs12879-016-1479-1&partnerID=40&md5=64e064a6b47bccee21f052928a7886c7
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1479-1
ISSN: 14712334
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English