[Real information needs of the traveller before his departure. Results of a survey by questionnaire].

This study is based upon 727 questionnaires completed by French travellers 10 days after intercontinental travel. The response rate was 40%. Two out of 5 travellers had generally mild health problems: fever (12%), diarrhoea (36%). Forty-six of them took drugs, which they had brought with them during their travel. Ten per cent had a satisfactory visit to a local physician. Medical informations given before departure appears to be sufficient, useful and relevant in more than 90% of cases. The traveller would like to receive them from his own physician or from vaccination centers. Other informations as insurance, assistance, administration, finances, appeared to have been incorrectly perceived by 20% of the travellers. The travel agent is the one who should provide adequate information. The traveller, in general, plans to do more travelling for his own well being if not for his work. Would not the bigger risk for him be "not to travel at all".