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Travel health risk perceptions of Chinese international students in Australia - Implications for COVID-19.
Ma, Tara; Heywood, Anita; MacIntyre, C Raina.
  • Ma T; School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Australia, Kensington, NSW, 2052 Australia. Electronic address: tara.ma@sydney.edu.au.
  • Heywood A; School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Australia, Kensington, NSW, 2052 Australia. Electronic address: a.heywood@unsw.edu.au.
  • MacIntyre CR; Biosecurity Program, The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Kensington, NSW, 2052 Australia. Electronic address: r.macintyre@unsw.edu.au.
Infect Dis Health ; 25(3): 197-204, 2020 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-30934
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

International students frequently return to their country of origin to visit friends and relatives (VFR), and are at increased risk of travel-associated infections. Little is known of their travel health seeking behaviours. China is the biggest source of international students studying in Australia and the unprecedented epidemic of COVID-19 in China makes this an important area of research.

METHODS:

Focus groups of Chinese international students were conducted to explore travel health-related knowledge, attitudes and practices. Eligible participants were studying in Sydney, and had travelled to China and Hong Kong to visit friends and relatives in the preceding 18 months. A variety of topics were explored, using a focus group guide. Thematic analysis was undertaken on the transcripts using nVivo software. The list of codes and themes were not pre-determined but developed through content analysis.

RESULTS:

Two focus groups were held with a total of 28 participants. Risk perception about VFR travel was generally low among Chinese international students. Pre-travel healthcare was not sought. Students strongly relied on the Internet, social media, parents and friends in China for travel health advice.

CONCLUSION:

This research provides insights into Chinese international students as VFR travellers. It confirms students could be a risk population for importations of infections such as COVID-19 because of low risk perception and lack of seeking travel health advice. This can inform health promotion strategies for students.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Coronavirus Infections / Pandemics / Betacoronavirus / Travel-Related Illness Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Young adult Language: English Journal: Infect Dis Health Year: 2020 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Coronavirus Infections / Pandemics / Betacoronavirus / Travel-Related Illness Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Young adult Language: English Journal: Infect Dis Health Year: 2020 Document Type: Article