Imported malaria in the UK: advice given by general practitioners to British residents travelling to malaria endemic areas.

Abstract

General practitioners are in a key position to provide advice to those travelling to malaria endemic areas. A study of at-risk travellers revealed that 54% visited their general practitioner before their intended trip overseas and of these 79% were given advice about antimalarial precautions. Of those advised 98% carried antimalarial tablets with them on their trip but only 46% had any knowledge of other methods of personal protection against malaria. Fewer non-white than white British residents received information from their general practitioners.It is suggested that general practitioners should be better informed about current malaria transmission and currently recommended chemoprophylactic drugs and dosages. It is also suggested that the major public health priority should be to stimulate a greater involvement of non-health service agencies in order to make the public aware of the risk of malaria and seek medical advice before travel.