The traveler's (un)knowledge about the requirements of yellow fever's vaccination: a study at Porto Alegre International Airport, state of Rio Grande do Sul

um estudo no Aeroporto Internacional de Porto Alegre, RS

Abstract

This is an exploratory-descriptive research-survey investigating travelers at the Salgado Filho International Airport, in Porto Alegre, on their (un)knowledge about vaccination against yellow fever and the requirements of the International Vaccine Certificate (CIV), and about the organization that regulates this. The data were collected and processed by the SPSS 8.0 program using 600 structured interviews. Results showed a predominance of vaccine room users searching vaccination, and who already knew it was a requirement. Most users are men, traveling for leisure or work, who were informed about the vaccine at travel agencies. As to the quality of information received, there were different opinions on the need of vaccination and certificate exchange. We found there is little visibility of the organization that regulates the vaccine and the need for educational and informative activities to increase the level of municipal, state and federal attention to the effective health control of travelers.