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. 2013 Apr 3;32(5):276–281. [Article in Spanish] doi: 10.1016/S0212-6567(03)79275-0

Seguimiento desde la farmacia comunitaria de la vacunación y la quimioprofilaxis de los viajeros internacionales. Estudio VINTAF

Management of vaccinations and prophylaxis of international travellers from community pharmacy (vintaf study)

A Barbero González a,, F Álvarez de Toledo Saavedra a, J Esteban Fernández b, R Pastor-Sánchez c, A Gil de Miguel b, JM Rodríguez Barrios d, F García Cebrián a, C Capdevilla Prim a
PMCID: PMC7669075  PMID: 14519289

Abstract

Objectives

To improve and evaluate the travel advice by community pharmacists

Design

Cross-sectional and prospective study

Setting

Community pharmacies from Asturias, Barcelona, Madrid y Valencia

Participants

483 travellers to high health risk countries who visit the community pharmacies and were agreed with the aims of the study

Method

Community pharmacists gave information regarding immunization and prophylaxis about travel-related disease according to the destination, type and duration of travel and other features of the tourist (age, taking medicines, diseases, etc.).Main measurements. Destination, adherence to the prophylaxis and vaccinations recommended, adverse effects and diseases the tourists have in the travel and one month after they are back

Main measurements

Destination, adherence to the prophylaxis and vaccinations recommended, adverse effects and diseases the tourists have in the travel and one month after they are back

Results

Only 6.3% of the travellers were effective vaccinated and took prophylaxis (all vaccines and prophylaxis according to the destination). 36.2% of the travelers experienced an illness while abroad. The commonest disease were travellers' diarrhea (15.7%). The pharmacists were the only source of information about sunscreens, repellents, and other sanitary goods

Conclusions

The community pharmacists can give accurate information regarding immunization and prophylaxis about international travels. It is necessary to improve the communication between family physician, the tropical travel clinic and community pharmacists in order to improving compliance. It is necessary keep the bureaucratic barriers away to get this kind of drugs. The international tourists still travel without the necessary vaccines and prophylaxis to the high health risk areas

Key words: Primary care, Community pharmacy, Tropical diseases, Prophylaxis, Vaccination, International travels

Estudio financiado parcialmente por GlaxoSmithKline

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