TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2004//
TI  - Morbidity and determinants of health on youth expeditions
JO  - Wilderness and environmental medicine
A1  - Sadnicka, Anna
A1  - Walker, Robert
A1  - Dallimore, Jon
SP  - 181
EP  - 187
VL  - 15
IS  - 3
N2  - 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.
LA  - 
SN  - 1080-6032
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -