Malaria Journal
Volume 10, 2011

Malaria chemoprophylaxis recommendations for immigrants to Europe, visiting relatives and friends - A Delphi method study (Article) (Open Access)

Calleri G.* , Behrens R.H. , Schmid M.L. , Gobbi F. , Grobusch M.P. , Castelli F. , Gascon J. , Bisoffi Z. , Jelinek T. , Caramello P.
  • a Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases, Travel Medicine Unit, Corso Svizzera 164, 10149-Torino, Italy
  • b Dept. of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
  • c Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, United Kingdom
  • d Centre for Tropical Diseases, Ospedale Sacro Cuore, via Don Sempreboni 5, 37024 Negrar (Verona), Italy
  • e Dept. Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine and HIV/AIDS, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Centrum (AMC), Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • f Institute for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
  • g Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clinic/IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Spain, c/Villarroel, 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
  • h Centre for Tropical Diseases, Ospedale Sacro Cuore, via Don Sempreboni 5, 37024 Negrar (Verona), Italy
  • i Berlin Centre for Travel and Tropical Medicine, Jägerstr. 67-69, 10117 Berlin, Germany
  • j Infectious Diseases Unit, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, ASL TO2, c. Svizzera 164, 10149 Torino, Italy

Abstract

Background: Numbers of travellers visiting friends and relatives (VFRs) from Europe to malaria endemic countries are increasing and include long-term and second generation immigrants, who represent the major burden of malaria cases imported back into Europe. Most recommendations for malaria chemoprophylaxis lack a solid evidence base, and often fail to address the cultural, social and economic needs of VFRs. Methods. European travel medicine experts, who are members of TropNetEurop, completed a sequential series of questionnaires according to the Delphi method. This technique aims at evaluating and developing a consensus through repeated iterations of questionnaires. The questionnaires in this study included questions about professional experience with VFRs, controversial issues in malaria prophylaxis, and 16 scenarios exploring indications for prescribing and choice of chemoprophylaxis. Results: The experience of participants was rather diverse as was their selection of chemoprophylaxis regimen. A significant consensus was observed in only seven of 16 scenarios. The analysis revealed a wide variation in prescribing choices with preferences grouped by region of practice and increased prescribing seen in Northern Europe compared to Central Europe. Conclusions: Improving the evidence base on efficacy, adherence to chemoprophylaxis and risk of malaria and encouraging discussion among experts, using techniques such as the Delphi method, may reduce the variability in prescription in European travel clinics. © 2011 Calleri et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

immigrant methodology Europe Delphi study human friend Delphi Technique travel Malaria prescription Humans consensus Antimalarials Emigrants and Immigrants antimalarial agent questionnaire Article patient compliance Questionnaires migration infection risk chemoprophylaxis relative Chemoprevention
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79956212573&doi=10.1186%2f1475-2875-10-137&partnerID=40&md5=43c98c6eee7c7b4c335173e7ab6aaa9f
DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-137
ISSN: 14752875
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English