Knowledge and use of prevention measures for chikungunya virus among visitors — Virgin Islands National Park, 2015

Abstract

Summary Background In June 2014, the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus (CHIKV) emerged in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), a location where tourists comprise the majority of the population during peak season (January–April). Limited information is available concerning visitors’ CHIKV awareness and prevention measures. Methods We surveyed a convenience sample of Virgin Islands National Park visitors aged ≥18 years. Respondents completed a questionnaire assessing CHIKV knowledge, attitudes, and practices; health information-seeking practices; and demographics. Results Of 783 persons contacted, 443 (57%) completed the survey. Fewer than half (208/441 [47%]) were aware of CHIKV. During trip preparation, 28% of respondents (126/443) investigated USVI-specific health concerns. Compared with persons unaware of CHIKV, CHIKV-aware persons were more likely to apply insect repellent (134/207 [65%] versus 111/231 [48%]; p < 0.001), wear long-sleeves and long pants (84/203 [41%] versus 57/227 [25%]; p < 0.001), and wear insect repellent-treated clothing (36/204 [18%] versus 22/227 [10%]; p = 0.02). Conclusions The majority of visitors surveyed did not research destination-related health concerns and were unaware of CHIKV. However, CHIKV awareness was associated with using multiple prevention measures to reduce disease risk. These findings underscore the importance of providing tourists with disease education upon destination arrival.

Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Chikungunya among Urban Community People of Selected Area of Dhaka City Bangladesh

“…In this study, female were higher than male. Similar observations were reported by other studies [18]. Overwhelming majority 97.4% of the respondents' belonged to the age group 18-27 years, which is similar to the result of [18].…”

SELECTED EPIDEMICS & EMERGING PATHOGENS

“…The importance of our effortswhich can be accomplished by placards and chart promptscannot be underestimated. A recent study of tourists visiting a national park in the United States Virgin Islands where mosquito borne illnesses, including Chikungunya virus are present, revealed most visitors surveyed did not research destination related health concerns and were unaware that Chikungunya virus was present or problematic [53]. This is similar to other studies where travelers did not access pre-trip health information sources, many of which are readily available on the Internet [53][54][55][56][57].…”

Selected mosquito-borne illnesses—Chikungunya

“…When traveling to countries with Chikungunya virus, use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants; some clothing is treated with insect repellent. 16 Wherever possible, stay in places with air conditioning, but make certain if it is not centralized, instead using window units that there are no gaps between the air conditioner and window area. Also make certain if using window and door screens that you check for breaks in those screens.…”