TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors affecting the use of anti-malaria preventive measures among Taiwan immigrants returning to malaria-endemic regions
AU - Hung, Wen Shin
AU - Hu, Susan C.
AU - Hsu, Yu Chen
AU - Chen, Kwo Liang
AU - Chen, Kou Huang
AU - Yu, Mei Ching
AU - Chen, Kow Tong
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of anti-malaria preventive measures (AMPMs) among Taiwan immigrants returning to their country of origin using the Health Belief Model (HBM). Between March and May 2011, all permanent immigrants originating from malaria-endemic countries, attended by either the Taipei or Tainan Immigrant Service Center, Taiwan, and who reported a history of returning to their country of origin within the preceding year during the malarious season in their country of origin were enrolled in the study. Complete information was collected from 316 immigrants, with a response rate of 87% (316/364). The mean age of the subjects was 38.1 years (SD = 9.9). The majority (70%) of participants did not receive travel information through a pre-travel consultation; more than 40% reported that they did not use measures to prevent insect bites. Multiple regression analyses revealed that Chinese proficiency, travel consultation before travel, lower perceived susceptibility to malaria, higher perceived severity of malaria infection, higher perceived benefit for taking measures, and higher self-efficacy for taking measures significantly predicted the use of AMPMs during the return to their country of origin (R2 = 0.20; F = 50.42; P < 0.001). A high proportion of immigrants were not using appropriate AMPMs when they returned to their country. Educational approaches should be targeted toward immigrants who return to visit their country of origin.
AB - The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of anti-malaria preventive measures (AMPMs) among Taiwan immigrants returning to their country of origin using the Health Belief Model (HBM). Between March and May 2011, all permanent immigrants originating from malaria-endemic countries, attended by either the Taipei or Tainan Immigrant Service Center, Taiwan, and who reported a history of returning to their country of origin within the preceding year during the malarious season in their country of origin were enrolled in the study. Complete information was collected from 316 immigrants, with a response rate of 87% (316/364). The mean age of the subjects was 38.1 years (SD = 9.9). The majority (70%) of participants did not receive travel information through a pre-travel consultation; more than 40% reported that they did not use measures to prevent insect bites. Multiple regression analyses revealed that Chinese proficiency, travel consultation before travel, lower perceived susceptibility to malaria, higher perceived severity of malaria infection, higher perceived benefit for taking measures, and higher self-efficacy for taking measures significantly predicted the use of AMPMs during the return to their country of origin (R2 = 0.20; F = 50.42; P < 0.001). A high proportion of immigrants were not using appropriate AMPMs when they returned to their country. Educational approaches should be targeted toward immigrants who return to visit their country of origin.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84905584770&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84905584770&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.tmaid.2013.07.001
DO - 10.1016/j.tmaid.2013.07.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 23932759
AN - SCOPUS:84905584770
VL - 12
SP - 370
EP - 377
JO - Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
JF - Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
SN - 1477-8939
IS - 4
ER -