Journal of travel medicine
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Meta Analysis
A systematic review and meta-analysis of sexually transmitted infections and blood-borne viruses in travellers.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs) impose a global health and economic burden. International travellers facilitate the spread of infectious diseases, including STIs. Hence, this review assessed the prevalence/proportionate morbidity of travellers with STIs and sexually transmitted BBVs and factors associated with the infection in this population. ⋯ Strategies to prevent STIs and sexually transmitted BBVs should be discussed at pre-travel consultations, and recommendations should be prioritized in high-risk groups of travellers, such as backpackers, VFRs and MSMs. Additionally, healthcare providers should tailor recommendations for safe sex practices to individual travellers' unique needs.
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Observational Study
Escalating climate-related health risks for Hajj pilgrims to Mecca.
Global temperatures are on the rise, leading to more frequent and severe heatwaves with associated health risks. Heat-related illnesses (HRIs) are an increasing threat for travellers to hot climate destinations. This study was designed to elucidate the interplay between increasing ambient temperatures, incidence of HRIs and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies during the annual Hajj mass gathering over a 40-year period. ⋯ The study underscores the escalating climate-related health risks in Mecca over the study period. The mitigation measures' efficacy in such a globally representative setting emphasizes the findings' generalizability and the importance of refining public health interventions in the face of rising temperatures.
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Prolonged diarrhoea is common amongst returning travellers and is often caused by intestinal protozoa. However, the epidemiology of travel-associated illness caused by protozoal pathogens is not well described. ⋯ This analysis provides new insights into the epidemiology and clinical significance of four intestinal protozoa that can cause morbidity in international travellers. These data might help optimize pretravel advice and post-travel management of patients with travel-associated prolonged gastrointestinal illnesses. This analysis reinforces the importance of international travel-related surveillance to identify sentinel cases and areas where protozoal infections might be undetected or underreported.