Travel risk behaviors as a determinants of receiving pre-travel health consultation and prevention

BACKGROUND: An estimated 30-60 % of travelers experience an illness while traveling. The incidence of travel-related illness can be reduced by preventive measures such as those provided by the Traveler Health Clinic (THC) in Kuwait. METHODS: The present study is an analytical comparative study between groups of travelers visiting the THC during the study period (May 2009 – December 2010) and an age- and gender-matched control group of non-visitors (800 people). Both groups completed a modified pre-departure questionnaire. RESULTS: Bivariate analysis revealed that Kuwaitis (68.2 %), those traveling for work (25.3 %) or leisure (59.5 %), those living in camps (20.4 %) or hotels (64.0 %), and those with knowledge of the THC from the media (28.1 %) or other sources (57.3 %), were more likely to be associated with a high frequency of visits to the THC (p < 0.001). Additionally, travelers heading to Africa (47 %) and South America (10 %) visited the THC more than did others (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that nationality, followed by purpose of travel, duration of stay, and choice of travel destination are independent predictors of receiving pre-travel consultation from the THC. CONCLUSION: Nationality, purpose of travel, length of stay, and travel destination are predictors for receiving a pre-travel consultation from the THC. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40794-015-0003-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.