Pre-travel preparation of US business travelers: An analysis of the global travepinet consortium (GTEN), 2009-2011

Background: Occupational travel has increased over the last several decades. We describe demographics and travel characteristics of US business travelers (BT) compared with nonbusiness travelers (NBT) who visited participating sites for pre-travel care. Methods: Using an online tool, data were collected during pre-travel health consultations by Global TravEpiNet (GTEN) practitioners from 2009 to 2011. GTEN is a U.S. consortium of clinical practices specializing in travel medicine. Travelers self-defined travel purpose and were categorized as BT and NBT (i.e., leisure, visiting friends and relatives, adoption, receiving medical care, adventure, and attending large gatherings/events). Bivariate analysis was conducted using Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests and two-sided p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of 13,076 travelers, 2,810 (21%) were BT and 10,266 (79%) NBT. India was the top destination for both BT and NBT. BT were younger than NBT (median 41 vs. 45 years p≤0.0001). Forty-nine percent of BT indicated their employer suggested the consultation. The median time to seek consultations before departure for BT was 15 days, compared with 28 days for NBT (p≤0.0001). The median travel duration for BT was 10 days, compared with 14 days for NBT (p≤0.0001). When offered influenza vaccine, 48% of BT and 50% of NBT declined. Discussion: Compared with NBT, BT sought pre-travel advice closer to departure and traveled for shorter periods. BT and their employers should work to ensure timely pre-travel care, preferably 4-6 weeks before travel. Increased awareness and emphasis on importance of vaccination, especially influenza vaccine, can improve coverage and reduce illness in these travelers.