[Malaria prevention: the role of the general practitioner]

Abstract

Objective: To find whether the prophylactic measures against malaria used by travellers to the WHO-defined endemic zones are adequate and what role the General Practitioner plays in their prescription.

Design: Descriptive study.

Setting: El Prat de Llobregat (Barcelona) airport and four Primary Care practices in Barcelona province.

Participants: Susceptible travellers coming from zones with effective transmission of the disease.

Measurements and results: 142 people satisfied the inclusion criteria, average age 32.8 and 52.1% women. 25.4% had visited type A transmission zones; 23.2%, type B; and 48.6%, type C. Trips which were not formally organised made up 61.3% of the total. 75.4% of travellers received health advice before leaving, but only 3.8% asked their G.P.. Indication of prophylactic measures was correct in 108 people (74.6%); there was under-dosage in 4 (2.8%) and incorrect medication in 32 (22.5%). 85.5% of travellers complied with prescribed amounts. 15.6% had pharmacological side-effects.

Conclusions: At present, there is a hole in primary prophylaxis for malaria for travellers to the WHO's zone A. General Practitioners can and must prefer advice to the traveller on this question.