Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
Volume 12, Issue 4, 2014, Pages 370-377

Factors affecting the use of anti-malaria preventive measures among Taiwan immigrants returning to malaria-endemic regions (Article)

Hung W.-S. , Hu S.C. , Hsu Y.-C. , Chen K.-L. , Chen K.-H. , Yu M.-C. , Chen K.-T.*
  • a Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
  • b Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
  • c First Division, Centers for Disease Control, Department of Health, Taipei, Taiwan
  • d Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, China University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
  • e Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, China University of Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan
  • f Department of Chemical Engineering, Tatung University, Taipei, Taiwan
  • g Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, Department of Family Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital, No. 670, Chongde Road, East District, Tainan, Taiwan, Department of Occupational Disease, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of anti-malaria preventive measures (AMPMs) among Taiwan immigrants returning to their country of origin using the Health Belief Model (HBM). Between March and May 2011, all permanent immigrants originating from malaria-endemic countries, attended by either the Taipei or Tainan Immigrant Service Center, Taiwan, and who reported a history of returning to their country of origin within the preceding year during the malarious season in their country of origin were enrolled in the study. Complete information was collected from 316 immigrants, with a response rate of 87% (316/364). The mean age of the subjects was 38.1 years (SD = 9.9). The majority (70%) of participants did not receive travel information through a pre-travel consultation; more than 40% reported that they did not use measures to prevent insect bites. Multiple regression analyses revealed that Chinese proficiency, travel consultation before travel, lower perceived susceptibility to malaria, higher perceived severity of malaria infection, higher perceived benefit for taking measures, and higher self-efficacy for taking measures significantly predicted the use of AMPMs during the return to their country of origin (R2 = 0.20; F = 50.42; P < 0.001). A high proportion of immigrants were not using appropriate AMPMs when they returned to their country. Educational approaches should be targeted toward immigrants who return to visit their country of origin. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Malaria Taiwan Health belief model Prediction

Index Keywords

immigrant Chinese human middle aged travel statistics and numerical data priority journal Malaria Aged malaria control Taiwan Young Adult Humans migrant Antimalarials male Emigrants and Immigrants female Aged, 80 and over patient referral very elderly antimalarial agent mosquito bite risk benefit analysis self concept medical information Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Health Belief Model Article high risk behavior history adult health education endemic disease chemoprophylaxis disease severity emporiatrics attitude to health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84905584770&doi=10.1016%2fj.tmaid.2013.07.001&partnerID=40&md5=942a925cf8365ae488dd2ab57599e4aa
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2013.07.001
ISSN: 14778939
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English