Trips to the South—a Health Hazard: Morbidity of Finnish Travellers

Abstract

In all, 2665 Finns chosen at random who had made short visits to Spain and her islands, to North Africa or to Thailand, or who had taken an around-the-world tour or a West African cruise were asked to answer a questionnaire concerning the state of their health while abroad. One-third (33%) reported they were ill or had been ill; 48% had had some health complaint during the trip which in 93% lasted for 2 weeks or less. The most common health problems were diarrhoea (18%), sunburn (10%), upper respiratory symptoms with or without headache or fever (10%), insect stings (3%), and problems related to excessive consumption of alcohol (1.5%). 7% deemed it possible that they had contracted a venereal disease. The incidence of the complaints varied with the geographical area visited. It is concluded that mass tourism is accompanied by a morbidity whose dimensions are far from fully recognized.