Thompson Danielle T, Ashley David V M, Dockery-Brown Cheryl A, Binns Alvin, Jolly Curtis M, Jolly Pauline E
Department of Epidemiology and International Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294-0002, USA.
J Travel Med. 2003 Mar-Apr;10(2):79-86. doi: 10.2310/7060.2003.31628.
Tourism is important to the Jamaican economy accounting for approximately 25% of the gross domestic product. Health problems in tourists could have significant impact on the health of the local population, the scarce health service resources, and the tourist industry. This study was conducted to identify health problems most commonly occurring in tourists visiting Jamaica and examine how these problems are managed.
Records of health problems occurring in tourists who visited principal tourist areas on the north coast from June 1998 to June 2002 were reviewed for the type of illness and how the problem was handled. The data were analyzed using Epi-Info software (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA) and Statistical Analysis System software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC).
Accidents were the most common health crises reported by tourists. Gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cardiovascular problems occurred less frequently. Those less than 40 years of age more frequently reported accidents or injury, gastrointestinal problems, and drug abuse, whereas respiratory and cardiovascular problems were more common among those above 40 years of age. Cardiovascular problems, drug abuse, and death were more common in men than in women. Hotel nurses handled most of the cases and were more likely to refer patients to private physicians or hospitals than to public hospitals (p <.05). Factors influencing the way the crisis was handled were age (p =.0441); who handled the crisis (p <.0001); and the method of payment (p =.0072). The factors that influenced hospitalization were gender (p =.0615); who handled the crisis at the onset (p =.0497); how the crisis was dealt with (p =.0336); and previous health problems (p =.0056). Men were more likely to be hospitalized and to be referred to a public hospital than women. Medical insurance covered the costs for 11% of tourists, and 75% paid out of pocket.
The information provided by this study can be used to implement changes to reduce health problems in tourists and improve emergency health services in tourist areas.
旅游业对牙买加经济至关重要，约占国内生产总值的25%。游客的健康问题可能会对当地居民的健康、稀缺的医疗服务资源以及旅游业产生重大影响。本研究旨在确定前往牙买加的游客中最常见的健康问题，并研究这些问题是如何处理的。
回顾了1998年6月至2002年6月期间前往北海岸主要旅游区的游客的健康问题记录，包括疾病类型以及问题的处理方式。使用Epi-Info软件（美国疾病控制与预防中心，佐治亚州亚特兰大）和统计分析系统软件（SAS研究所，北卡罗来纳州卡里）对数据进行分析。
事故是游客报告的最常见的健康危机。胃肠道、呼吸道和心血管问题发生频率较低。40岁以下的人更频繁地报告事故或受伤、胃肠道问题和药物滥用，而呼吸道和心血管问题在40岁以上的人群中更为常见。心血管问题、药物滥用和死亡在男性中比在女性中更常见。酒店护士处理了大多数病例，并且与公立医院相比，更有可能将患者转诊至私立医生或医院（p<.05）。影响危机处理方式的因素有年龄（p=.0441）；谁处理危机（p<.0001）；以及支付方式（p=.0072）。影响住院治疗的因素有性别（p=.0615）；危机开始时谁处理（p=.0497）；危机如何处理（p=.0336）；以及既往健康问题（p=.0056）。男性比女性更有可能住院并被转诊至公立医院。医疗保险支付了11%游客的费用，75%的游客自掏腰包。
本研究提供的信息可用于实施变革，以减少游客的健康问题并改善旅游地区的紧急医疗服务。
