Health hazards and medical treatment of volunteers aged 18-30 years working in international social projects of non-governmental organizations (NGO)

Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
Thomas KüpperJennifer Martin

Abstract

The specific health risk profile and diversity of treatments sought by young volunteers participating in international social projects should differ from those of their older colleagues. In the absence of any data to identify whether this was correct, a retrospective analysis was performed using a standardized questionnaire. Questions included what diseases occurred, and details of the frequency and types of treatment sought during their stay - (e.g. self-treatment, medical/dental intervention, or local healer). The 153 participants were aged 18-30 years and worked in a non-governmental organization for >6 months. The participants were: 53% female, mean age 20 years, and mean duration of stay was 11.2 months. Their NGO placement abroad was in Latin America 65.4%, 14.4% in Africa, and 9.8% in Asia. 83% of the young volunteers had received some advice regarding travel medicine before their departure. However, they suffered from more injuries compared to private travellers, and febrile infections were more common when compared to older studies. 21.2% suffered from dental problems and 50% of them sought medical treatment. This study highlights a previously unreported higher risk profile of specific health problems occurring in youn...Continue Reading

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Citations

Sep 18, 2014·Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease·Marco Costa
Feb 3, 2018·Journal of Travel Medicine·Niall JohnstonGerard Flaherty
Sep 12, 2018·Journal of Travel Medicine·Kristina M AngeloDavidson H Hamer
Sep 9, 2017·Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines·Irmgard Bauer
Sep 21, 2017·Journal of Travel Medicine·Luis Furuya-KanamoriColleen Lau

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