Aust Fam Physician
-
It has been well established that women who wear a veil for cultural reasons and dark skinned migrants from Africa have an increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Many refugee patients also come from countries where their skin is covered or they are indoors for most of the day. ⋯ In 2004-2005, 75% of the 7000 refugees settling in Australia were from African countries and 20% were from the Middle East. Refugees may be exposed to less sunlight in Australia than in their country of origin because of an indoor lifestyle or an increased latitude. Refugee health centres confirm that vitamin D deficiency is present in 40-80% of refugee patients. Importantly, this is often asymptomatic. General practitioners are encouraged to test for vitamin D deficiency in refugees, especially as part of the initial health assessment.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Traveller's 'funny tummy' - reviewing the evidence for complementary medicine.
The gastrointestinal system is sensitive to both the place and means of travel and traveller's diarrhoea and motion sickness are among the most prevalent travel related conditions. There is now evidence to suggest that both of these ailments may be treated with safe and inexpensive complementary medicines.
-
Fever is among the most frequently reported problems in returning travellers. ⋯ The returned traveller may present with fever and it is important to exclude life threatening conditions such as malaria that may be related to the travel. A complete risk assessment should be undertaken, including a complete travel history, examination and further investigations, to help to narrow the differential diagnosis. Common tropical diseases found include malaria, dengue, enteric fever, rickettsial infections and respiratory infections. General practitioners should be alert to the public health implications of travel related diseases.