Relationships between Individual Factors and health preparation of independent travelers prior to travel abroad

Abstract

Introduction: Foreign individual tourism becomes more popular around the world. If independent travelers do not prepare their health before their trips, they may get sick, injured or dead overseas. This research aimed to study the relationship between individual factors of independent travelers and their health preparation behaviors prior to travel abroad.

Method: The online anonymous self-answered questionnaire was employed to collect data. Three hundred and ninety-nine participants responded. Statistics used for analyzing the data were
frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and chi-square

Result: The result showed that all four components of health preparation behaviors consisting of 1) health information seeking behaviors 2) physical health preparation 3) mind state preparation
and 4) health and injury risk prevention; related to education background, career, monthly income, current medical problems and history of vaccination at statistical significance level 0.05.

Conclusion: The health preparation of independent travelers should be concerned prior to travel abroad. The campaign to enhance knowledge and to raise awareness as well as health information resources should be developed to support health preparation behaviors.