A Comparison of Pretravel Health Care, Travel-Related Exposures, and Illnesses among Pediatric and Adult U.S. Military Beneficiaries

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2019 May;100(5):1285-1289. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.18-0353.

Abstract

We evaluated differences in pretravel care, exposures, and illnesses among pediatric and adult travelers, using a prospective, observational cohort. Eighty-one pediatric travelers were matched 1:1 with adult military dependents by travel region, destination's malaria risk, and travel duration. Pediatric travelers were more likely to have coverage for hepatitis A and B (90% versus 67% of adults; 85% versus 44%), visit friends and relatives (36% versus 16%), report mosquito bites (69% versus 44%), and have close contact with wild or domesticated animals (40% versus 20%) than adults (P < 0.05). Subjects < 10 years of age were less likely to be prescribed antibiotics (28% versus 95%; RR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.46-0.85) and antidiarrheals (9% versus 100%; RR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.03-0.29) for travelers' diarrhea (TD) self-treatment than adults. Travel medicine providers should emphasize strategies for vector avoidance, prevention of animal bites and scratches, and TD self-treatment in pediatric pretravel consultations.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antidiarrheals / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diarrhea / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Hepatitis A / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Malaria / prevention & control
  • Male
  • Military Personnel*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Travel Medicine / methods
  • Travel Medicine / statistics & numerical data
  • Travel*
  • Travel-Related Illness*
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antidiarrheals