@article{ref1,
title="Morbidity and determinants of health on youth expeditions",
journal="Wilderness and environmental medicine",
year="2004",
author="Sadnicka, Anna and Walker, Robert and Dallimore, Jon",
volume="15",
number="3",
pages="181-187",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To document the prevalence of illness and injury on youth expeditions and analyze specific determinants of health. METHODS: Two thousand nine hundred fifteen people, aged 15 to 18 years, traveled with a commercial company, World Challenge Expeditions Ltd, between June and September 2001. Adult team leaders were required to keep medical cards for each person. This study is a retrospective analysis of these medical cards. RESULTS: Completed medical cards were available for 2402 people (82%). There were no medical problems in 36% of people. Illness or injury was reported by 64% (mean, 2.0 medical problems per person). Of the medical problems, 6% were defined as serious, and 1% were admitted to the hospital. One fatality occurred. The five most prevalent medical problems were diarrhea (22%), nausea and vomiting (20%), cold or sore throat (11%), headache (11%), and trauma (10%). Girls reported 19% more medical problems than the boys reported. Gastrointestinal illness was significantly increased at high altitude. Illness and injury were most prevalent in South America and least prevalent in Australasia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that in young people traveling to remote parts of the world, illness and injury are common. Serious incidents are rare; however, the death of one person does highlight the dangers present. This study may help risk assessment for young people considering taking part in an expedition.",
language="",
issn="1080-6032",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}