Symptoms of illness during travel and risk factors for non-adherence to malaria prophylaxis—a cross-sectional study in travellers from Germany

Abstract

Abstract Background Perceived adverse effects of antimalarial chemoprophylaxis can be difficult to distinguish from travel-related illness and are often cited as important reasons for non-adherence or refusal of antimalarial chemoprophylaxis. We aimed to investigate the occurrence of symptoms of illness in travellers with and without chemoprophylaxis in a cross-sectional study after travel and to identify risk factors for non-adherence to prophylaxis. Methods We enrolled 458 travellers to Africa and South America during their pre-travel medical consultation at the travel clinic of the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf and conducted post-travel interviews on symptoms of illness and intake of malaria prophylaxis. Results Eleven percent (49/437) of the participants reported symptoms of illness during travel. In total, 36% (160/448) of the participants reported prescription of chemoprophylaxis, the vast majority of these travelled to Africa (98%) and received atovaquone/proguanil (93%). Frequency of symptoms did not differ significantly between participants without prophylaxis and those taking atovaquone/proguanil. Non-adherence to prophylaxis was frequent (20%), but only 3% (4/149) of the participants stopped the medication early because of perceived side effects. Risk factors associated with non-adherence to prophylaxis included age under 30 years, travel to West or Central Africa and travel duration greater than 14 days. Conclusions Symptoms of illness during travel occurred at similar frequencies irrespective of intake of chemoprophylaxis. Travellers should be informed about chemoprophylaxis in a balanced way, without raising fear of side effects, especially among groups at higher risk for incorrect use of prophylaxis.