The role of location of food consumption in the prevention of travelers' diarrhea in Mexico.

The location of food consumption was recorded daily for 3 wk by 130 United States summer students newly arrived in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, as part of an assessment of bismuth subsalicylate vs. placebo in the irevention of travelers' diarrhea. Eating at locations other than homes and apartments (P < 0.025), and specifically at restaurants, was associated with an increased occurrence of diarrhea. Less eating at restaurants (P < 0.005), street vendors (P < 0.005), and school cafeterias (P < 0.01) was associated with reduced occurrence of travelers' diarrhea, even among persons taking bismuth subsalicylate as a preventive measure.