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Professional aircrews' attitudes toward infectious diseases and aviation medical issues.
Aviat Space Environ Med. 2012 Dec; 83(12):1167-70.AS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Air carrier and professional corporate aircrews provide a unique and highly distinct population in which to examine potential transport and transmission of infectious diseases (ID). This study sought to assess frequency of flying while acutely ill, identify clinical triggers in self-grounding, determine employer support for self-grounding, examine rates of influenza vaccination, and identify unmet needs for current information on ID issues related to extensive travel required of professional aircrews.

METHODS

Anonymous questionnaires were completed by select European mainline, U.S. regional airline, and professional corporate aircrews on ID topics such as flying while ill, flying with ill crewmembers, receipt of influenza vaccination, disinfection, and other aviation medical issues. Data were analyzed and reported as composite and stratified by airline vs. corporate aviation respondents.

RESULTS

Aircrews often flew while ill (or with ill crewmembers); 52% flew until fever reached 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F) and an additional 37% flew up to 38.89 degrees C (102 degrees F). Rate of annual influenza vaccination was quite low for all groups, but especially so for airline crews (21-27%), even given potential occupational exposure risk. Crews also had strongly differing perceptions of employer views on self-grounding, depending upon employment setting.

CONCLUSIONS

There were sizable disparities between aircrew flying for U.S. regional, European mainline, and large corporate aviation departments with respect to self-grounding when ill and routinely receiving a seasonal influenza vaccination. All study groups reported a pressing need for enhanced anonymous access to current ID and medical information.

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Authors+Show Affiliations

Schwartz MD
Department of Pharmacy Practice, South University School of Pharmacy, 709 Mall Blvd., Savannah, GA 31406, USA. mschwartz@southuniversity.edu
Macias-Moriarity LZ
No affiliation info available
Schelling J
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdolescentAdultAircraftAttitude to HealthChi-Square DistributionFemaleHumansInfluenza VaccinesInfluenza, HumanMaleMiddle AgedOccupational ExposureRiskStatistics, NonparametricSurveys and Questionnaires

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

23316545

Citation

Schwartz, Michael D., et al. "Professional Aircrews' Attitudes Toward Infectious Diseases and Aviation Medical Issues." Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, vol. 83, no. 12, 2012, pp. 1167-70.
Schwartz MD, Macias-Moriarity LZ, Schelling J. Professional aircrews' attitudes toward infectious diseases and aviation medical issues. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2012;83(12):1167-70.
Schwartz, M. D., Macias-Moriarity, L. Z., & Schelling, J. (2012). Professional aircrews' attitudes toward infectious diseases and aviation medical issues. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 83(12), 1167-70.
Schwartz MD, Macias-Moriarity LZ, Schelling J. Professional Aircrews' Attitudes Toward Infectious Diseases and Aviation Medical Issues. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2012;83(12):1167-70. PubMed PMID: 23316545.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Professional aircrews' attitudes toward infectious diseases and aviation medical issues. AU - Schwartz,Michael D, AU - Macias-Moriarity,Lilia Z, AU - Schelling,Joerg, PY - 2013/1/16/entrez PY - 2013/1/16/pubmed PY - 2013/2/13/medline SP - 1167 EP - 70 JF - Aviation, space, and environmental medicine JO - Aviat Space Environ Med VL - 83 IS - 12 N2 - INTRODUCTION: Air carrier and professional corporate aircrews provide a unique and highly distinct population in which to examine potential transport and transmission of infectious diseases (ID). This study sought to assess frequency of flying while acutely ill, identify clinical triggers in self-grounding, determine employer support for self-grounding, examine rates of influenza vaccination, and identify unmet needs for current information on ID issues related to extensive travel required of professional aircrews. METHODS: Anonymous questionnaires were completed by select European mainline, U.S. regional airline, and professional corporate aircrews on ID topics such as flying while ill, flying with ill crewmembers, receipt of influenza vaccination, disinfection, and other aviation medical issues. Data were analyzed and reported as composite and stratified by airline vs. corporate aviation respondents. RESULTS: Aircrews often flew while ill (or with ill crewmembers); 52% flew until fever reached 38 degrees C (100.4 degrees F) and an additional 37% flew up to 38.89 degrees C (102 degrees F). Rate of annual influenza vaccination was quite low for all groups, but especially so for airline crews (21-27%), even given potential occupational exposure risk. Crews also had strongly differing perceptions of employer views on self-grounding, depending upon employment setting. CONCLUSIONS: There were sizable disparities between aircrew flying for U.S. regional, European mainline, and large corporate aviation departments with respect to self-grounding when ill and routinely receiving a seasonal influenza vaccination. All study groups reported a pressing need for enhanced anonymous access to current ID and medical information. SN - 0095-6562 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/23316545/full_citation L2 - https://www.ingentaconnect.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=0095-6562&volume=83&issue=12&spage=1167&aulast=Schwartz DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -