Tropical Medicine and International Health
Volume 12, Issue 8, 2007, Pages 990-998

Factors determining use of pre-travel preventive health services by West African immigrants in the Netherlands (Article)

Schilthuis H.J. , Goossens I. , Ligthelm R.J. , De Vlas S.J. , Varkevisser C. , Richardus J.H.*
  • a Municipal Public Health Service, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • b Municipal Public Health Service, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Institute of Anthropology, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • c Havenziekenhuis, Institute for Tropical Diseases, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • d Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • e Institute of Anthropology, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • f Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands, Municipal Public Health Service Rotterdam Area, Rotterdam, Netherlands, Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Objective: To determine for what reasons West African immigrants, who contribute the largest single group of malaria cases in the Netherlands, visit pre-travel preventive health services and whether use of such services is likely to improve use of preventive measures. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with eligible participants recruited through West African churches and societies and at a large festival. Results: A total of 70% of the total non-random sample of 292 participants said that they always use pre-travel preventive health services before travelling. Being from Ghana (OR = 2.5), having legal residency status (OR = 2.5), visiting friends and relatives rather than going for business or funeral (OR = 6.7), and living in Amsterdam (OR = 5.1) were all independently associated with using pre-travel preventive health services, as were taking general preventive measures (OR = 3.0), and self-reported use of malaria prophylaxis. Higher use of pre-travel preventive health services was not associated with better knowledge of malaria as such. Conclusions: West Africans, in particular non-Ghanaians, illegal immigrants and West African immigrants leaving at short notice should be encouraged to use pre-travel preventive health services. Adequate methods to reach these groups need to be developed, including health education on the importance of prevention in general. © 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Author Keywords

immigrants West Africa Malaria Pre-travel counselling prophylaxis

Index Keywords

halofantrine Netherlands atovaquone plus proguanil educational status Eurasia immigrant demography Europe Preventive Health Services health insurance human Africa, Western Communicable Diseases middle aged Self Report travel acetylsalicylic acid health service controlled study Malaria Aged malaria control Western Europe African immigrant Humans chloroquine plus proguanil disease spread male female Aged, 80 and over Benelux health services Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article Questionnaires adult major clinical study health education malaria vaccine Emigration and Immigration Patient Acceptance of Health Care fansidar acquired immune deficiency syndrome illegal immigrant paracetamol quinine mefloquine chloroquine health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34547849515&doi=10.1111%2fj.1365-3156.2007.01856.x&partnerID=40&md5=3e304319b2911c477bd18e0b2dfc143e
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2007.01856.x
ISSN: 13602276
Cited by: 17
Original Language: English