Objective: In the last decades, increased numbers of travel to tropical destinations in combination with the enormous influx of immigrants have led to an increased number of imported malaria cases in developed countries. There is a group of immigrants regularly resident in malaria free areas, which travel to malaria endemic countries to visit their friends and relatives (VFRs). VFRs represent a high-risk group of contracting malaria. Publications presenting original data on malaria in VFRs were selected for a literature review.
Methods: We considered all data regarding prevalence of malaria in VFRs compared to the other groups of travelers, length of trip, group characteristics such as age, sex, country visited, and adherence to pre-travel recommendations, in particular, the compliance on the use of chemoprophylaxis, where such information was available. Studies related to malaria importation in VFRs in children and pregnant women were also included.
Results: Review of the literature revealed significant variations in the proportion of VFRs among imported malaria cases which may be due to differences in immigrant populations across the reporting countries. However, in studies focused on those at higher risk such as children and pregnant women, the prevalence of imported malaria was significantly higher compared to other types of travelers.
Discussion: Adherence to adequate preventive measures was low in VFRs. Significant reasons for not seeking pre-travel advice were economic and cultural issues, fear of the side effects due to chemoprophylaxis, and misconception about life-long immunity against malaria, and consequently, a low awareness about malaria risk. In order to implement preventive strategies focused on this high-risk group, prospective studies, which better define determinants of the risk of malaria in VFRs, are needed.