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Malaria prevention knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among international flying pilots and flight attendants of a US commercial airline
- Source :
- Journal of travel medicine. 19(6)
- Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Background In 2010, malaria caused approximately 216 million infections in people and 655,000 deaths. In the United States, imported malaria cases occur every year, primarily in returning travelers and immigrants from endemic countries. In 2010, five Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases occurred among crew members of one US commercial airline company (Airline A). This investigation aimed to assess the malaria prevention knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Airline A crew members to provide information for potential interventions. Methods The web link to a self‐administered on‐line survey was distributed by internal company communications to Airline A pilots and flight attendants (FA) eligible for international travel. The survey collected demographic information as well as occupation, work history, and malaria prevention education. Results Of approximately 7,000 nonrandomly selected crew members, 220 FA and 217 pilots completed the survey (6%). Respondents correctly identified antimalarial medication (91% FA, 95% pilots) and insect repellents (96% FA, 96% pilots) as effective preventive measures. While in malaria‐intense destinations, few FA and less than half of pilots always took antimalarial medication (4% FA, 40% pilots) yet many often spent greater than 30 minutes outdoors after sundown (71% FA, 66% pilots). Less than half in both groups always used insect repellents (46% FA, 47% pilots). Many respondents were unaware of how to get antimalarial medications (52% FA, 30% pilots) and were concerned about their side effects (61% FA, 31% pilots). Conclusion Overall, FA and pilots demonstrated good knowledge of malaria prevention, but many performed risky activities while practicing only some recommended malaria preventive measures. Malaria prevention education should focus on advance notification if traveling to a malaria‐endemic area, how to easily obtain antimalarial medications, and the importance of practicing all recommended preventive measures.
- Subjects :
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Endemic Diseases
media_common.quotation_subject
Immigration
Crew
Psychological intervention
Chemoprevention
Risk Assessment
Antimalarials
Environmental health
Occupational Exposure
Surveys and Questionnaires
parasitic diseases
medicine
Humans
Malaria, Falciparum
Developing Countries
Imported malaria
media_common
business.industry
General Medicine
medicine.disease
United States
Workforce
Malaria prevention
Disease prevention
Work history
business
Aviation
Malaria
Travel Medicine
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 17088305
- Volume :
- 19
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of travel medicine
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....7a5e58bbaeea2b3b1cbe84817a5c4b21