ABSTRACT
There has been an increasing trend for people to travel internationally (Behrens, 1990). Ease of air transportation has ensured that more than 700 million people currently travel internationally each year to every part of the globe (World Tourism Organisation, 2 003). These people are potentially exposed to infectious diseases for which they have no immunity, as well as other serious threats to well-being, such as accidents and exacerbation of pre-existing medical and dental conditions. Conservatively, it is estimated that between 30 and 50% of travellers and tourists become ill or injured while traveling (Steffen, Rickenbarh, Wilhelm, Helminger, & Schar, 1987; Cossar et al., 1990). Relative estimated monthly incidence rates of various health problems have been compiled elsewhere (Steffen et al., 1987). The risk of severe injury is thought to be greater for people when travelling abroad (Behrens, 1990; Cossar et al., 1990; Steffen & DuPont, 1994).
