Diarrhea
The prevalence of diarrhea was more than four times
higher than any other problem, but only 29.7%
underwent stool testing. Giardia lamblia was detected
in one in five volunteers tested. Seven of those
tested (13.5%) had negative results. The remainder
was diagnosed as ‘‘food poisoning,’’ ‘‘dysentery,’’ or
‘‘worms.’’ Seven volunteerswere treated with antibiotics
and the rest reported using other kinds of unspecified
medication. More women reported diarrhea than men
but the difference was not statistically significant (p =
0.086). Volunteers in the age group 46 and older were
significantly less likely to report having experienced
diarrhea (p = 0.016). There was no association between
the reporting of diarrhea and length of time spent
overseas.
Approximately 40% of those suffering from diarrhea
had more than four episodes (29.0% of total
respondents) and 47.0% of volunteers with diarrhea
experienced interference with work. Few (5.9% total
respondents) missed more than a week of work due to
diarrhea.