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Malaria Epidemiology and Economics in a Pharmacist‐Managed International Travel Clinic
Author(s) -
McNicholl Ian R.,
Raebel Marsha A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.19.18.1363.30899
Subject(s) - medicine , malaria , pharmacy , epidemiology , pharmacist , family medicine , malaria prophylaxis , travel medicine , immunology , psychiatry
With high rates of travel and low adherence to malaria prophylaxis, targeting educational efforts to high‐risk travelers is vital. We assessed risk factors for acquiring malaria, and resource use and outcomes of these patients in a managed care environment. Patients were identified from January 1, 1994, to December 31, 1997, using microbiology and pharmacy databases, chart reviews, and interviews. Sixteen patients acquired malaria during the study, although only 50% contacted the travel clinic. Only 31% (5) of them had documented adherence. Fifty percent were hospitalized at a cost of $3881/patient. Travelers at greatest risk for nonadherence appear to be expatriates and those visiting Africa. Providers should target these groups with more intensive counseling in an effort to improve therapy adherence and reduce the risk for malaria.