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Summary: People of all ages volunteer in developing countries, but little is known about the health risks they face. InterHealth, a travel clinic, provides a health screening service for short-term overseas volunteers. A cross-sectional study design was used to analyse 413 post-travel health questionnaires completed between February and November 2009. The sample consisted of volunteers who worked on short-term projects in developing countries for a variety of non-governmental organisations. At least one sick day was taken by 137 (33.2%) participants. Medical care was accessed by 39 (9.6%) participants, and standby medication was used by 87 (21.6%) participants. Diarrhoea, especially amongst those aged under 20 or who visited Latin America, was the most commonly reported health problem (95; 23.9%). Possible exposure to schistosomiasis was reported by 56 (13.8%) participants, mostly from East Africa. Upon return, the majority of participants (371; 91.2%) reported feeling well. The findings of this study show the importance of tailored post-travel health screening for short-term overseas volunteers. This study may help to tailor pre-departure travel health consultations for this group, particularly around food hygiene, hand washing and potential exposure to infection, but further research is needed to assess the impact of pre-travel health advice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Long-term travellers are exposed to a greater extent and a greater depth of risk than short-term travellers. This includes both physical and psychological illness and vulnerability. We need a paradigm of care both before, during and after travel which includes evidence-based medicine but extends beyond it into a more creative response to the whole person needs of this unique group of people. Caring for long-term travellers in the variety and complexity of their physical, social and mental health needs is one of the most rewarding branches of travel medicine [Zuckerman J. Travel medicine; recent developments. Br Med J 2002;325:260-4; Zuckerman J. Travel medicine BMJ careers; 26 June 2004, p. 277–8.] [Copyright &y& Elsevier]