The tourist health and the need of health professionals aboard Douro river cruises

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the Douro cruises tourists’ health indicators regarding their personal health, and the need for the presence of a healthcare professional on board. This study was accomplished through a face-to-face delivery of surveys to tourists attending cruises on the Douro River with the “Barcadouro” tour operator, between April and October 2018. Participants were 1086 tourists, with ages between 18 and 89, from 36 different nationalities. To pursue the study aims the Chi-Square test and descriptive statistics were used. Most of the tourists were adult-senior (55-74 years). Only 28.4% of the tourists have or had some disease/limitations, mostly cardiovascular diseases (49.8%). A percentage of 42.7% was intaking medication, mainly for the cardiovascular system (57.6%) and 26% were intaking between one and two pills. The majority agreed with the need for health professionals on board and the development of new strategies for healthcare on board. About a third of the tourists who frequent the Douro river cruises have diseases/limitations and the presence of health professionals on board seems to be of their interest and therefore, it is necessary to develop new strategies for health care and a proactive approach in the cruises’ tourist healthcare.