Pharmacists and travel advice for tropics in Lisbon (Portugal).

BACKGROUND: In Portugal, little is known about the quality of advice given to international travelers by pharmacists. The aim of this study was to determine pharmacists' training, experience, and interest in travel medicine and to assess the technical quality of the information given.

METHODS: We sent a postal questionnaire to all pharmacies in the Lisbon area. The technical director or another graduate pharmacist was asked to complete the questionnaire.

RESULTS: A total of 251 pharmacists participated in the study. Most of them (93.2%) did not have any training in travel medicine, and most of them expressed a wish to be informed and/or updated on this subject. The number of advised travelers was low. The use of repellent, protective clothes, and mosquito bed nets was the most frequent advice on protection against mosquito bites. From a subgroup of 170 pharmacists, 43.5% indicated mefloquine and 44.1% indicated chloroquine as malaria chemoprophylaxis to African countries. A significant association existed between the variables "to indicate mefloquine" and "seeks to be informed/updated on travel medicine." Those who indicated chloroquine tended to like travel medicine less. Concerning diarrhea prevention and treatment, the consumption of bottled and/or treated water and the administration of antibiotics during the episode were the most reported advice. Concerning vaccination against yellow fever, only 8 of 91 pharmacists correctly indicated all Portuguese-speaking countries with and without the risk of this disease.

CONCLUSIONS: Studied pharmacists need training in travel medicine. Travel advice was incomplete and/or incorrect and must be improved.