Risk Factors of Common Infectious Diseases Among Travelers to Tropical Regions: An Indonesian Perspective

Abstract

Background: Travelers to tropical destinations, including Indonesians, face high exposure to vector-borne, waterborne, and vaccine-preventable infections. This review analyzes environmental, host, travel-related, and behavioral risk factors for such diseases, with implications for Indonesian travelers.

Methods: A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, WHO and CDC travel health resources, and Indonesian health publications (2019–2025). We prioritized evidence on malaria, dengue, traveler’s diarrhea, and other common tropical diseases. Risk factors and preventive strategies were extracted. Tables summarize key risks (Table 1) and recommended interventions (Table 2). A flowchart (Figure 1) outlines a pre-travel risk assessment workflow.

Findings: Environmental factors (heat, humidity, poor sanitation) and local disease prevalence are major risk enhancers. Travel-related risks include duration of stay (longer trips increase exposure), destination (rural/urban endemicity), and purpose (mass gatherings, VFR travel). Behavioral factors (unprotected food/water, lack of insect precautions, risky activities) and host factors (age extremes, pregnancy, chronic illness, immunosuppression, and vaccination gaps) further elevate risk. Indonesian travelers particularly confront mosquito-borne threats (malaria in eastern Indonesia; dengue nationwide) and waterborne diseases due to infrastructure gaps. Pre-travel vaccination (e.g. hepatitis A/B, typhoid, influenza), malaria prophylaxis, and hygiene education significantly mitigate these risks.

Conclusion: A comprehensive pre-travel risk assessment is essential to identify individual vulnerabilities. Strengthening travel medicine awareness and preventive strategies can significantly reduce infectious disease risks among travelers to tropical regions.